The great dinosaur sleepover

Bailey adds to her dinosaur repertoire as Jake, who loves all things dinosaur, can't wait for his dino-themed birthday sleepover. He's disappointed, however, when all of his friends cancel due to having the flu. After retreating to bed early, he's awakened by strange noises from his living room, where he finds dinosaurs enjoying a movie and eating snacks. Despite the dinosaurs' misunderstanding of human celebrations, a birthday party ensues with games like egg toss (but not the potentially painful pin-the-tail-on-the-dinosaur) and cake and ice cream. When more dinosaurs show up in Jake's backyard, they take the party on the road to visit his sick friends at their homes. A few more surprises--including a misunderstood T-rex and doubtful parents--conclude this slightly pedestrian story, which is made more exciting and ready for story- and bedtime through Bluhm's expressive artwork. One of the creators behind the adaptation of William Joyce's The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore, Bluhm lends his charming animation style to fantastical, panoramic double-page spreads of Jake and the dinosaurs in action.

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