In Being Five And Learning To Strive our Birthday Girl, her friend Jill, and Pete, the boy from across the street are put through a difficult task. The Birthday Girl explains; "A giant fish was washed ashore. To save this fish will be a hard chore." The three children try to rescue the giant fish by trying to lift it back into the river. They get the fish onto a tarp and try carrying it to a small pier where they hope to release it, but it gets more difficult as heavy rains start up again. The Birthday Girl explains; "I think I now realize what it means to strive; and strive we must to keep this poor fish alive." Wonderful illustrations set the tone beginning with a fun-filled indoor birthday party, and continuing on through to a mud soaked adventure filled with lessons in determination.