I'll be the first to admit that while I'm not exactly a birthday diva (I do not parade around the office in a tiara), I do experience a certain quiet enjoyment, an undeniable feeling of satisfaction when it's my birthday. I can't exactly put my finger on it, but let's just say I like being the birthday girl. And every year, my parents have obliged me with cakes (two cakes! For I am a twin!), presents, loud singing, the whole shebang. (I realize I'm not 13 anymore so yes, this is a little embarrassing.)
Well I just had another birthday, and there was another celebration with all the bells and whistles, and I have to say that the hands-down best present I received was a book. (The book is Regarding Women — it's a stunning collection of photographs of iconic women.) And I realized that every year my parents have given me a book for my birthday, from The World's Best Fairy Tales when I was six to The Complete Collection of Jane Austen's Work when I was in high school and in the middle of a deep obsession with Jane. They're always so thoughtful in their selection and so eager to share with me why they thought I'd love the book, which makes it even more meaningful. We talk about giving the gift of reading a lot here at Scholastic, and I feel so strongly that the discovery and intimacy and range of emotions that come with a book make it the best kind of treasure to give (and get).
So, while I was home, I snuck a few pictures of some of the books I've received over the years for my birthday. We'll call them birthday books. What about you? Do you have any special birthday books?
