The Biggest Birthday Cake in the World by Elizabeth Spurr

This fiction book reveals the value of sharing and friendship, while entertaining students with its pictures and captivating story line. The Richest-and-Fattest Man in the World likes everything over-the-top. It is no surprise that as his 40th birthday approaches, he asks his assistants to bake him the world’s biggest birthday cake. The Richest-and-Fattest Man in the World soon realizes he is unable to reach the top of his cake without the help of his townspeople. He plans on eating the entire birthday cake all by himself; however, a sudden incident forces him to change his plans. In the end, the Richest-and-Fattest Man in the World shares his birthday cake with others and becomes the Happiest Man in the World. I used this book in my classroom to provide a problem for my students to solve using technology. In groups, the students had to design a mechanism to help the Richest-and-Fattest Man in the World reach the top of his cake. My students really enjoyed this assignment! In addition, I believe this book can help remind students of the importance of sharing and valuing friendship.