I Feel Five!

What is turning five supposed to feel like, anyway? A charming look at growing older, from a child’s point of view.

Fritz can’t wait to turn five! His birthday starts off well when he eats all five of his birthday pancakes and gets brand-new sneakers that fit perfectly. But when he peeks in the mirror, everything looks the same. And his teeth won’t wiggle — not a single one. Even after he gets to wear the birthday crown and everyone sings to him at school, five still feels an awful lot like four did. Will Fritz ever feel five? In this sweet picture book that’s perfect for children of any age, Bethanie Deeney Murguia explores how it feels to grow up.

Bethanie Deeney Murguia has worked as an art director for publishers, design firms, and marketing agencies. In that time she has had many birthdays, but still feels five when she wears her birthday crown. Her daughter, who had many expectations about her fifth birthday, was disappointed when she “didn’t feel five” on her big day. This inspired Bethanie to write a story about the quieter, unexpected moments that help us to realize we’ve grown or changed. She lives in San Francisco.