Bunnicula and his buddies turn Toby's birthday party topsy-turvy when they investigate the seven mysterious moving suitcases in Mr. Monroe's study. There's an added bonus--a special pull-out surprise from Bunnicula!

REVIEWS

Publishers Weekly

Headed by Chester the cat and Harold the dog, the Bunnicula gang returns in fine form in one of Howe's characteristically antic adventures. This time, Toby's birthday has arrived and the household pets are relegated to the cellar, to keep them away from a mysterious ``special'' present that consists of seven suitcases with a creature inside each. Demonstrating his powers of deduction (as celebrated as they are convoluted), Chester determines that Toby's parents have procured seven new pets and that Chester and company have, alas, become obsolete. While Bunnicula maintains his usual silence, Chester inveigles Harold and Howie the dachshund puppy into a hare-brained plot to convince Toby's family that they are pets without peer--and they succeed, although perhaps not as Chester intended. Throughout, Howe's lighthearted narrative balances humor with suspense, while the unusual clarity of Morrill's illustrations neatly contains the animals' chaotic capers. One can only wish for many happy returns.

Children's Literature

Harold the dog and the rest of Toby's pets are witnesses to the bustle of birthday preparations for a party where Toby will be the guest of honor. They are excited when the day of the party comes, but they are a little scared too! After all, they have discovered mysterious suitcases with eyes peeping out right in the house! Are their lives in danger? Will they be replaced as Toby's best friends? Are these birthday presents? Be sure to be there when the boxes are opened! Although Bunnicula takes a back seat in this chapter book mystery, the delightful vocabulary and great dialogue James Howe is known for are again evident in this, the sixth in the "Bunnicula and Friends" series. I especially like the tidbits of information, such as Howe's explanation of what a hedgehog does and looks like that is sprinkled right in the middle of a great story. The textured illustrations and googly eyes Jeff Mack uses to enhance the story are icing on the cake. You can practically feel the fur of Harold, Chester and Bunnicula or taste that yummy ice cream.

School Library Journal

Harold the dog returns for more mischief-making with his friends Chester the cat and Howie, a dachshund puppy. While Toby's birthday party is in progress, the pets overhear him and his mother discussing his secret present, and their curiosity is aroused. When they discover several mysterious cases containing animals, Chester fears that Toby is receiving seven new pets. They decide to release the creatures; when an iguana, snake, frog, hedgehog, bird, and rat come charging out of their cases, Chester, Harold and Howie go flying, disrupting the party and sending the guests stampeding through the door. And then Harold reads the sign on the side of the van parked on the curb: ``Hu's Zoo, Unusual Animals for All Occasions.'' The real surprise, it turns out, is Toby's new clubhouse. Long popular in picture-book and chapter format, this latest story about the Munroe family should prove entertaining for fans and newcomers to the series. Harold's narration provides a humorous perspective on the day's events, and Morrill captures the chaos with energetic full-color illustrations. --Pearl Herscovitch, University of Calgary, Alberta, Canada