THERE’S ONLY ONE OF ME!
by Pat Hutchins & illustrated by Pat Hutchins
Celebrating all the roles that she has within her own family, one birthday girl explores her sometimes complex relationships with each of its members. Every time the door opens, a new person enters the room bearing something for the party. The little girl explains how she’s related to each, reviewing her relationship to those already present. “I’m my mother’s daughter,” she says as her mother enters bearing the cake. The entry of another young girl bearing a large bowl prompts, “I’m my sister’s sister. (AND my mother’s daughter too!)” By the time her great-grandmother enters bearing a platter of cookies, the list is quite long and explains her relationship to a step-parent, siblings, half-siblings, aunts, uncles, and cousins. Finally, she lets readers in on her final role of the day: birthday girl. Brightly colored illustrations in bold primary colors feature the members of the ever-growing party in their many-patterned outfits. Unfortunately the paintings are slightly cluttered by the overly bright and busy backgrounds that compete for attention. But readers familiar with Hutchins’s other classic works will delight in her exploration of the various familial roles and may want to work out their own. (Picture book. 4-6)