Little Brainstorm
Big Baby Donnie’s Bad Birthday
by Geoff Gerber
A Rhyming Picture Book That Pulls No Punches
Worldwide Debut: Comic-Con International 2025
Small Press Pavilion – Booth SP-K04
What happens when the biggest baby on the planet demands a military parade for his birthday, throws tantrums on national television, and still expects everyone to love him?
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In Big Baby Donnie’s Bad Birthday, author and illustrator Geoff Gerber delivers a blisteringly funny picture book that’s equal parts Dr. Seuss and The Onion. It’s a rhyming romp through balloons, tanks, and full-blown meltdowns as Big Baby Donnie tries to throw the world’s biggest birthday party—only to discover that you can’t force people to celebrate you.
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This book is more than parody—it’s a bold reminder that tantrums aren’t strength, and democracy can’t be blown out like candles on a cake.
But WHY This Book?
When grown-ups throw tantrums, kids notice,” says author Geoff Gerber.
“We’ve seen too many adults excuse cruelty and call it leadership.
This book says what a lot of us have been thinking: That’s not okay.
It’s funny on purpose. It’s ridiculous on purpose.
Because sometimes, the truth hits hardest when it rhymes.”​
Inspired by real events—including the military parade of June 14, 2025, and the historic No Kings March that followed—this book uses satire to spark conversation about power, integrity, and the courage to speak up.
Civil, yet disobediant
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Hilariously illustrated and smartly written for readers ages 8 to adult
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A satirical retelling of a real-world political moment
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Perfect for classrooms, libraries, and families who value civic discussion
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A poetic moral: You can scare folks stiff… but they won’t stay for cake
About the Author
Geoff Gerber writes rhyming picture books that kids love—and grown-ups sometimes squirm at. His stories are silly on purpose, sharp by design, and filled with just enough truth to make you laugh and think.
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His debut, Big Baby Donnie’s Bad Birthday, is a cautionary tale about what happens when tantrums get too loud and kindness gets pushed aside. Kids see the story. Grown-ups see the satire. Everyone gets the message: You can’t lead like it’s your birthday every day.
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Geoff believes kids are smarter than we give them credit for—and that stories can be both ridiculous and real. His work champions laughter, critical thinking, and the quiet courage it takes to say, “That’s not okay.”
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When he’s not writing or fiddling with Photoshop, Geoff enjoys deflating balloons, overthinking everything, and imagining a world where empathy is louder than ego.
