The Happy Birthday Present by Joan Heilbroner and Mary Chalmers. Brothers Peter and Davy hunt for the perfect birthday present for their Mother.
Written by Joan Heilbroner. Illustrated by Mary Chalmers. First edition, 1962. An I Can Read Book. Harper & Row, publishers.
From the front flap:
"When Peter told Davy that it was Mother's birthday, Davy's first thought was that they should tell her. His big brother assured him that Mother already knew, but that he and Davy should find a present for her. The search was more difficult than the boys had anticipated. The people in the stores were very helpful, even if they didn't have the green lipstick Davy longed for. But the perfect present was not to be found in any one place. How the boys managed to give their mother the very best present she had ever had makes a story children will love to read..."
The Happy Birthday Present was Joan Heilbroner's (1922 - ) first book and is still in print. She went on to write many others, including her best known book, Robert the Rose Horse, which was first acquired by Beginner Books editor Ted Geisel, a.k.a. Dr. Seus. Heilbroner took a 20-year hiatus until 2011, when she wrote A Pet Named Sneaker.
Publisher's Weekly story - https://goo.gl/J9JDo6
The NY Times wrote of Mary Chalmers (1927 - ) in a review of Come To The Doctor Harry, 4/26/1981: "...Miss Chalmers draws and writes with beguiling simplicity. Her tone is loving but never coy, her animals dear but never cute. And that makes all the difference."
Discover more of Mary Chalmers's books at Goodreads.
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/543470.Mary_Chalmers
Visit TheCharmedBookshop.com for more first edition children's books.
Condition*: Near Fine/Very good. Dust jacket has small closed tear at the head of the spine, a small chip on the front bottom edge, and shelf wear on the top edge. Bottom of the front flap was clipped by publisher. Price of $1.95 is unclipped. There's a book plate with the previous owner's name handwritten in pencil on the front endpaper. (Acquired from original owner.)
*Based on guidelines of the Independent Online Booksellers' Association.
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