The great dinosaur sleepover

PreS-Gr 2--Dinosaur fans will roar over the artistic details and ideas in this sweet story of friendship. Young dinosaur enthusiast Jake is looking forward to a dino sleepover for his birthday when all three best friends cancel because they're sick. When actual dinosaurs show up to party, Jake has the best birthday ever. The dinosaurs do not invite T-rex, the carnivore, but she pops up in spreads and shares how sad she is to be excluded. Jake invites her to join and, in a beautiful spread of them playing soccer, T-rex is a goalie. Digitally sketched and colored art and well-placed text creates beautiful space for the story to unfold. The illustrations greatly enhance the story, building transitions and action that are not evident in word selection. The pace and rhythm are slowed by past tense verb choice, but this can provide opportunities for discussion. Inviting, or not inviting, someone to a birthday party is a choice children face. The dilemma of having no one show up to one's party is another anxiety children experience, and Bailey's concept is a great one. This is a wonderful selection for dinosaur connoisseurs and friends' feelings, not because of the telling, but for bringing up all the SEL issues surrounding parties, including who will be included and who will show up. VERDICT This book will soothe familiar anxieties, and will be good for parents and educators, too.--Rachel Zuffa