This book is a great way to get kids laughing while reading or being read to. Everyone knows that Oscar is a grouch. He hates his birthday and is very annoyed when he finds out his friends are throwing him a surprise party. The funny twist is that his friends show up singing "Rotten Birthday to You" and with mud cakes, old socks, smelly weeds, broken toys, etc. because they know Oscar loves trash. This book did a great job mixing humor with friendship. The illustrations helped the story and added laughs putting pictures to the crazy gifts and mood swings from Oscar.