Elissa Haden Guest

" This tenth easy-to-read chapter book about best friends Iris and Walter once again relates a tender story in plain, lyrical words and brightly colored pen-and-ink artwork, both joyful and touching. In a sweet climax, Iris and Walter name the foal Surprise. Everyone sings Happy Birthday, "and Walter felt shy / and a little embarrassed, / but very loved." Children will want to read this again and again. "
Booklist

" ... chock-full of universal kid banter, and the child-friendly illustrations in pen and ink provide the perfect backdrop as these two pals go about their everyday lives among family and friends."
School Library Journal

It's Walter's birthday and he has big plans for his party. There will be cake and ice cream and horseback riding, and all of his friends will be there--including, of course, his best friend, Iris. But when the big day finally arrives, something unexpected happens. Will the change of plans ruin Walter's birthday?

In the tenth book of the award-winning series, Iris and Walter discover that sometimes an unexpected surprise can make a special day all the more memorable.