Ready? Set. Birthday! (Raymond and Roxy)

This Step 2 early reader captures all the excitement and anticipation that every child experiences in the lead-up to their birthday!

Raymond likes to do everything fast! It's almost his birthday and he can't wait! He tries goes outside to play. He helps Papa wash the car. He even goes to bed early in hopes time will fly, but his birthday can't come fast enough! Maybe his friend Roxy can help him enjoy the wait ...and his special day, too! This sequel to Ready? Set. Raymond (which marked its 20th Anniversary in 2022!) will delight fans and new readers alike.

Step 2 Readers use basic vocabulary and short sentences to tell simple stories. They are perfect for children who recognize familiar words and can sound out new words with help.

VAUNDA MICHEAUX NELSON is the author of many beginning readers and award-winning books for children, including Almost to Freedom, a Coretta Scott King Illustrator Honor Book. She was the winner of the 2010 Coretta Scott King Award and Gelett Burgess Children's Book Award for Bad News for Outlaws: The Remarkable Life of Bass Reeves, Deputy U.S. Marshal. She works as a librarian in New Mexico where she lives with her husband.

DEREK ANDERSON wrote his first story in second grade and hasn't stopped writing or drawing since. He is the illustrator of Ready? Set. Raymond! and he is also known for the Hot Rod Hamster books, Ten Hungry Pigs, and the illustrations in Little Quack, which was a New York Times best-seller. He lives in Minneapolis, Minnesota.