Babette Cole's Beastly Birthday Book

I just picked up a copy of Cole's "Truelove" and it reminded me of her Beastly Birthday book which was a favorite read for me and the boys I babysat for. The book has fun pop up and pull out bonus features. For example, in the story the birthday boy- to-be invites everyone and everything he meets to his party ("...I'm sure my mom won't mind."). A rhino is on the guest list. With this page comes a removable "can" of Rhinoderant. "Just spray at charging rhino and rhino will fall about laughing". The cows invited are, of course, singing cows and come with a cow songbook. Cole loves to illustrate with lots of little details and witty ones at that. She puts her special touch on every page. (And hey, kids! This is IN ADDITION to all the little surprises like the two just mentioned. Bonus fun!)Now remember that I havent read this book in years (the boys are getting older...sigh) but still I remember it fondly. It is so fun to share this book! Get really silly with it and kids will want to hear it over and over whether it's their birthday or unbirthday. Oh, the singing cow opera number ("moo moo bellisimo, vacca carrigio...")! The heavy metal band! (Read this page in your best Ozzy Osbourne Brit accent.) Robbers even! The grand finale pop-up with all the special guests! How could anyone NOT love this? It'd be a great b-day gift for any kid or fun loving grownup you know! I see now that it's out of print, though. :( I'd best buy me a copy for my collection of favorites before they're completely unavailable!