Birthday Business

When Willa finds out that Frank—her best old-age friend—is about to turn 80, she decides it’s imperative that she throw him a birthday party. It’s not every day you turn 80, after all! Despite Frank’s note about not making a fuss, Willa forges ahead with the help of Tae—her best same-age friend—and Woof, her best dog friend. 

They enlist the help of Willa’s family and all their neighbours to throw the party, despite the universe seeming to conspire against them. Finally, everything’s set! But after Frank has arrived and everyone has jumped out and yelled SURPRISE, Frank’s in for one more shock: his son has travelled with his wife and kids all the way from England just to celebrate his 80th with him! 

A sweet story about helping others against the odds and keeping an open, friendly attitude. Willa encounters a lot of grouchiness in the old people’s home, but she doesn’t let that stop her! This recklessly optimistic protagonist will tug on the heartstrings of any reader. Warm humour and jokes that Willa doesn’t fully get—like why it’s funny to say that someone has driven from England to Australia—are studded throughout. The second book in the Willa and Woof series, Birthday Business can be read separately or as part of the series. 

birthdays, kindness, friendship, intergenerational relationships, surprises, parties, helping others, community

Mention that Willa’s school is staging Romeo and Juliet, and that Juliet doesn’t want to kiss Romeo (p. 19). Mention that Willa has written about a boy she “likes” in her missing diary (p. 47).