The Vert family is celebrating a very special occasion: it’s Ivan’s birthday! And Estie knows that every birthday needs a great party, with lots of guests, party hats, and twinkling tin foil stars. Because that is what everyone wants on their birthday, right? But did Estie ever ask Ivan?Young Estie is an extrovert and Ivan is an introvert, and by watching excited Estie mistakenly plan a lively birthday celebration for quiet and understated Ivan, readers learn the same important lesson as Estie: It’s more than okay to be yourself, whoever that may be.The New York Times bestselling duo of award-winning author Ann Patchett and Fancy Nancy artist Robin Preiss Glasser, first combined their superpowers of humorous, engaging text and vivid illustrations to create fun and captivating picture books with Lambslide and Escape Goat. Now they’re back at it again with The Verts, a heartfelt story about honoring our differences.Ann Patchett is the author of novels, most recently the #1 New York Timesbestselling Tom Lake, works of nonfiction, and children's books. She has been the recipient of numerous awards, including the PEN/Faulkner, the Women's Prize for Fiction in the UK, and the Book Sense Book of the Year. Her novel The Dutch House was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize. Her work has been translated into more than thirty languages, and Time magazine named her one of the 100 Most Influential People in the World. President Biden awarded her the National Humanities Medal in recognition of her contributions to American culture.Robin Preiss Glasser has illustrated many acclaimed picture books, including the bestselling Fancy Nancy series, Lambslide, Escape Goat, and Grand Jeté and Me: A Christmas Holiday Book for Kids. She won the Children’s Choice Award for Best Illustrator of the Year for Fancy Nancy and the Mermaid Ballet. Robin actually wore tiaras and tutus when she danced with the Pennsylvania Ballet.