Happy Birthday to You:

The Sisters Who Wrote The Most Famous Song in The World

By Rachelle Burk

Illustrated by Abigail Lashbrook

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Patty and Mildred Hill are the most famous composers you’ve never heard of. They came up with “Happy Birthday to You!” in an effort to make something all children could easily sing. They ended up with a tune the whole world loved. “Happy Birthday to You!” has been sung to presidents and kings, on big stages and in outer space. And it all started in a kindergarten classroom with a teacher coaxing her children to sing an easy tune all together.

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"Who could resist a book that charmingly tells the unlikely true story of what is possibly the one song that everyone has sung from their earliest memories of childhood onwards? This book will give every child the joy of discovering the history behind a familiar and beloved birthday ritual, and every adult too."

— Prof. Robert Brauneis, author of Copyright and the World's Most Popular Song  

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Something to sing about! Rachelle Burk turns a bright, welcome spotlight on visionary sisters Patty Hill and Mildred Hill, who composed "Happy Birthday to You" to make music enjoyable for Patty's kindergarten students. Abigail Lashbrook's exquisite illustrations hit just the right notes, ushering us into the determined hearts of two women who devoted their lives to the mission of making education joyful for children.

— Nancy Churnin, award-winning author of The William Hoy Story, Manjhi Moves a Mountain and Dear Mr. Dickens