Angelina loved her bicycle and rode it everywhere. Her best friend was Alice. This year for her birthday they were going to have a picnic. Angelina and Alice went to the village to buy some decorations for her party. On the way back they raced, and Angelina hit a rock and crashed. She hurt her leg and ruined her favorite bike. Angelina and Alice started doing odd jobs to earn money so Angelina could buy a new bike. They mowed grass, picked apples, hung laundry, watered the garden, planted raspberries and strawberries, and washed floors. Angelina still didn't have enough money to buy a bike. On their walk back from the village to buy more balloons, Angelina saw the best bike ever in the window of the bicycle shop and she wished she had enough money to buy it. The day of her party came and Angelina received hair ribbons, books, a ballerina, and a silver horn for her new bike. Everyone had pitched in to buy Angelina the bike she had wanted. She was so surprised and decided to take everyone on a bicycle ride through the hills. I think this was a good book because Angelina worked to buy herself a new bike, and in the end everyone realized how hard she had worked so they decided to get her it for her birthday. ~ Katelyn Carson

In this next book in the Angelina Ballerina series, Angelina prepares for her birthday. However, getting into a bike race with her Alice, Angelina hits a rock and damages her bike beyond repair. When her mother suggests that she can work to raise the money for a new bike, Angelina throws herself wholeheartedly into her work, and birthday are such wonderful times...

Such a wonderful book! I do love Katherine Holabird's work! Although I should say hers, and Helen Craig's, for the illustrations do make this book come so alive. My daughter and I love this book, and recommend it to you.

If you already own 'Angelina's Birthday Surprise', don't buy this book! It is identical in every way. I know because I purchased both to complete my daughter's Angelina book collection, since there we no details on either book at the time. It is another cute Angelina book. This one is about Angelina having a bicycling accident which ruins her old bike, then getting a new one as a surprise birthday gift after working hard to earn the money to purchase it herself.

This is a different Angelina book, when she and Henry have an outdoor adventure camping with Uncle Louie. After wandering into the woods, Angelina and Henry have to face their fears after dark. If your child is an Angelina fan they'll enjoy another story with Angelina and Henry. If they are new to Angelina, start with the first story Angelina Ballerina.

The most appealing part of this 15 page activity book is the punch out Tea Party Set. It has cut outs to make the tea pot and cups stand upright, is designed with pink flowers, and has paper cookies to put on the serving platter. At an interview, an Estee Lauder representative once told me that Ladies need Saucers, here is where I give Angelina a citation for improper etiquette! There are no saucers for the cups! This is rated for baby to preschool but the Tea Party punch out would make it attractive to even a slightly older girl. The basic activities, which are scarce, are geared towards a young age except for the coloring section. The cut outs could also be glued to decorate notebooks or just use your imagination! As for Angelina Ballerina herself, one has to appreciate the form of the mouse to really love her. I would choose this book over Angelina stickers because seeing a mouse in various tutu's is not that appealing. This American Girl collection activity book has a strong competitor in Sylvia Walker's Pretty Ballerinas, paper dolls.

The age description is the reason I only gave this puzzle box set 3 stars. The puzzles are beautiful and would be wonderful for 2-4 year olds. I purchased this set for my 5 year old and it just "too pre-school" for a child this age. I do highly recommend it for your pre-schooler Angelina fan!

My three year old is in love with Angelina and puzzles. I gave this a shot despite it being listed for much older children. Because the pieces can be matched to pictures in the tray, with a little help, she is truly enjoying doing the puzzles. The only reason for not giving it 5 stars is that the pieces fit a little bit too snugly together -- the main source of frustration for her. Don't be scared off by the the listed age range if your littler one loves Angelina.

I bought this book because both of my children loved reading another book by the same author called, "This is the Bear". In comparison to this is the bear, this book is not as good. The illustrations are in full color and well done as in the other book, but the story is not as cute. Young children adore the gentle text and will soon be reciting the story along with you. This book will appeal greatly to toddlers and preschool children. It makes a wonderful quick read before bedtime.

My four year old just loves this book. We borrowed it from the library, and she wants me to read it again and again. She also likes to "read" it by herself, i,e look at the pictures and re-tell the story. The pictures are cute, the writing is simple, and the story holds her attention. A perfect book for 3-5 yr olds who like teddybears.