Iris and Walter: The Sleepover (Iris and Walter, 4) - Hardcover

ELISSA HADEN GUEST is the author of the books in the award-winning Iris and Walter series. She lives in San Francisco, California.

CHRISTINE DAVENIER has illustrated many popular children's books, including the previous Iris and Walter titles and The First Thing My Mama Told Me, written by Susan Marie Swanson. She lives in Paris.

Kindergarten-Grade 2-In this splendid entry in the easy-reader series, Iris eagerly plans a sleepover at her friend Walter's house, where they will put on a puppet show, ride Walter's horse in their pajamas, and camp out on the front porch. At school some friends share her enthusiasm about sleepovers, but Benny casts a shadow with his story of leaving his cousin's house in the middle of the night because, "I missed my pillow." Undaunted, Iris packs and says her good-byes and has a wonderful time at Walter's house. But then her homesickness becomes unbearable when her friend falls asleep before she does. She wakes him, and Walter and his father drive her home to the loving arms of her family. As in earlier titles, Iris's exuberance is reflected in Guest's text as well as in Davenier's pen-and-ink and watercolor-wash illustrations that nearly lift the child off the page. Readers will delight in the youngsters' friendship, and bask in the reassuring love and support they receive from their families.
Laura Scott, Baldwin Public Library, Birmingham, MI
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