Esme's Birthday Conga Line - (Esme!) by Lourdes Heuer

Book Synopsis

Esme always has a plan. A funny and sweet early illustrated chapter book about a problem-solving girl who has to manage her own birthday bash. For fans of Dory Fantasmagory.

Esme lives with her grandparents on the uppermost floor of the topmost best building. It's her birthday. Mimi and Pipo gave her a beautiful guitar. But they didn't plan a birthday party.

Esme thinks this is the way with grandparents. They don't know about parties or piñatas or birthday cake. No problem! Esme is great at problem solving.

With the help of her cat, El Toro, and a LOT of help from her neighbors in the topmost best building, the irrepressible Esme gets the birthday party of her dreams.

Review Quotes

One of Evanston Public Library's 101 Great Books for Kids 2022
One of Chicago Public Library's Best Fiction Books for Young Readers 2022
One of Betsy Bird's Best 2022 Early Chapter Book picks

"[H]umorous and heartwarming . . . Readers will look forward to more adventures with Esme in this welcome addition to early chapter book collections." --School Library Journal

"[T]he playful text features zippy dialogue, bullet-pointed lists, and plenty of pleasing repetition for beginning readers . . . Like the best bashes, this early-reader series debut is amusing and inviting." --Booklist

"This book sticks into your head and you keep wanting more." --The BabySpot

About the Author

LOURDES HEUER is a children's book author and poet. She was born in Spain to Cuban immigrant parents, then moved to the United States in 1984. She holds an M.F.A. in Writing from the Vermont College of Fine Arts and is an Associate Professor of English at Broward College. She lives in South Florida with her husband, son and three dogs.

Originally from South Texas, MARISSA VALDEZ traveled to Boston, Massachusetts, to receive a B.F.A. in Animation from MassArt. After school, and after missing the delicious Texas breakfast tacos, she moved back Houston where she works as a graphic designer during the day and children's book illustrator at night.