Happy Birthday Matt and Steve - Books All Around

I used to be pretty good at decorating birthday / special occasion cakes but it was a tedious job.  I have found that it is perhaps much more fun to "decorate" cakes in a more spontaneous fashion using props (not too propish) but makes them more 3-D and much less work.  These are an example of simple, quick, fun and really do look like you care (a lot).  So here are my ideas for a quick and simple birthday cake for two special people.  Birthday books all around!

To share with younger readers:
On the Day You Were Born by Debra Frasier
Sheep in a Shop by Nancy Shaw -- Silly sheep want to buy a birthday present but don't have enough money but they have an idea -- they have items they can swap.
Arthur's Birthday by Marc Tolon Brown— Arthur and Muffy have a problem — stheir birthday parties are scheduled on the same day at the same time.
A Birthday Basket for Tia by Pat Mora, Cecily Lang (Illustrator)-- It's Aunt Tia's ninetieth birthday.  Her gift — a birthday basket, Cecilia collects items that remind her of Tia -- a favorite book, a special teacup, and a bowl they use to bake together -- to put in a birthday basket.
A Birthday for Frances by Russell Hoban, Lillian Hoban (Illustrator)--It's Gloria's birthday and Frances is not sure she wants to actually give her the present she has purchased.  
Birthday Presents by Cynthia Rylant, Sucie Stevenson (Illustrator) -- Stories of each of the first six birthdays -- a real gift of love.
Bunny Cakes by Rosemary Wells -- Max and Ruby struggle to figure out just the right cake for Grandma's birthday.

Intermediate readers may enjoy:
Birthday Magic by James W. Baker, George Overlie (Illustrator) -- Ten magic tricks revolving around a birthday theme.
Cam Jansen: The Birthday Mystery (#20) by David A. Adler and Susanna Natti
Birthday Party Murder: A Lucy Stone Mystery by Leslie Meier
Bones and the Birthday Mystery (#5) by David A. Adler and Barbara Newman (Puffin Easy-to-Read Bones - Level 2)

For older readers (HS and Adult)
The Happy Birthday Murder: A Chrine Bennett Mystery by Lee Harris
Birthdays for the Dead by Stuart MacBride
The Birthday Girl by Stephen Leather

Good Reading!
And if anyone figures out how to actually make these cupcakes -- let me know!

smc