Leave room for the little surprise
Before reading, look at Waffle’s hat together. When the cake arrives in the story, you could ask, “What do you notice?” Your child might count its tiers, spot the fruit, or point to the single candle. Let their answer be small, then carry on.
When Waffle tries to blow, a crumb near Dax’s boot moves. The candle is still shining. That is a good place to enjoy the joke without rushing to solve it. You might say, “Waffle tried,” and look at the picture again. Reading straight through works too; the next lines give the friends their idea.
The help belongs to Waffle’s wish
The friends remember Maple, who can reach a very tall thing. But they do not simply hand the moment over. Dax checks with Waffle, and Obi asks Maple whether he will help blow. Maple says yes. Waffle keeps her wish, and the two friends blow together.
Pause before Maple’s answer if your child likes joining in with dinosaur replies. Or notice Waffle turning towards her tall friend. The story makes room for a small birthday dinosaur to ask for the help she needs while staying part of the celebration.
If you make the birthday sounds before reading, try a little chirrup or a candle-blowing puff. The illustrated prompts belong to this party. Your child’s recording can join the matching moment in the page-by-page reader, without needing to record every sound.
A page in the Big Book, then all home
After the candle goes out, the cake is shared. Fig opens the Big Book and asks what belongs on Waffle’s page. The friends choose the cake, the candle, Maple and the wish. Wonder together what your child remembers, or let the story’s answers come first.
Then the familiar names return: Ivy and Pebble, Hana and Kite, Dax and Waffle, Obi and Maple. Fig makes nine. Join in with “All home” if you know it, and enjoy Waffle settling beside Dax at the end of her birthday.
The whole story is available on its reading page, with pictures and narration. For your own party sounds, open the shared page-by-page reader from that page. You can read at your own pace, pause, or return to the candle whenever the birthday wish needs another turn.