Duck and Duck busily prepare for a party, while their housemate, Moose, only gets in the way.

"Two siblings provide instructions for how to surprise one's dad, including surprises you can make, do, or find--and how to plan a Special Day surprise party for him"--

As spring arrives on Gardam Street, there are surprises in store for each Penderwick, from neighbor Nick Geiger's return from the war to Batty's new dog-walking business, but her plans to use her profits to surprise her family on her eleventh birthday go astray.

"Piggie tells Gerald she has a big surprise for him, but it is not there yet so Gerald must be patient"--