Ereth's Birthday -- Avi

<p><strong>The fifth book in the beloved Poppy series by Newbery Medal-winning author Avi, with illustrations from Caldecott Medal-winning artist Brian Floca.</strong></p><p>Erethizon Dorsatum--better known as Ereth, the self-centered, foul-tempered old porcupine--is having a birthday. And he fully expects his best friend Poppy, a deer mouse, to help him celebrate in a grand manner.</p><p>But Poppy has gone off somewhere with her husband, Rye, and it appears she has forgotten all about it. Belching Beavers, says Ereth, I am not angry! (Though perhaps he is--and more than just a little.)</p><p>Ereth knows his special occasion deserves a special treat--even if he has to get it for himself. And what treat could be more special than tasty salt? But the nearest salt is located deep in the forest, in a cabin occupied by fur hunters, who have set out traps to capture the Dimwood Forest animals.</p><p>In one of the traps, Ereth finds Leaper the Fox--who, with her dying breath, begs the prickly porcupine to take care of her three boisterous young kits, Tumble, Nimble, and Flip. Jellied walrus warts! Ereth exclaims, but reluctantly agrees.</p><p>Certainly this day is <em>not</em> going as he planned--and it's only just the beginning! Not only does Ereth suddenly have a rambunctious new family to take care of, but he's being stalked by Marty the Fisher, the one creature in Dimwood Forest who can do him harm.</p><p>And Bounder, the father of the three little foxes, remembers all too wel