About This Book
Reach for this book when your child is preparing for their first sleepover and feels a mix of nervous butterflies and excitement. It is the perfect antidote to separation anxiety, shifting the focus from missing home to the delightful sensory adventure of a new environment. The story follows a young girl spending the night at the apartment of her vibrant adult friend, Mary Bloom. While many books about staying away from home focus on the fear of the dark or being alone, this story celebrates the joyful chaos of a household brimming with pets, from barking dogs to chirping birds. It emphasizes that intergenerational friendships can be just as silly and rewarding as peer friendships. With Aliki's warm illustrations and gentle humor, it is an ideal choice for children aged 4 to 8 who need to see that staying elsewhere can be a cozy, bustling home away from home.
What Parents Should Know
Sensitive Topics
This is a secular, gentle story. There are no heavy topics like death or divorce. It focuses entirely on the positive aspects of a supportive community and intergenerational friendship.
Ideal Reader
A preschooler or kindergartner who is curious about what happens at other people's houses. It is especially suited for a child who loves animals and might be worried that a sleepover will be too quiet or lonely.
