For my daughter's first birthday I decided to have a theme. Family and Friends were asked to bring their favorite childhood book.It could be any age level,just their favorite. Instead of a birthday card, I asked each guest to write an inscription on the front inside cover. The family had such fun with this. Many had to hunt down their favorite book because it was out of print! Some gave my daughter their original copy which made it that much more special. She even received a beautiful copy of, The Hobbit that belonged to my deceased sister.( She had left it to my nephew, who now passed it down to my daughter) There wasn't a dry eye in the house!! She also received some classics like, Little Women,Black Beauty and Nancy Drew mysteries.  As party favors I gave out bookmarks, itty bitty book lights"