IRIS AND WALTER

Best friends Iris and Walter eagerly look forward to their first sleepover. Iris has grand plans for the big night. When she shares her exciting news with her schoolmates, Iris blithely disregards cautionary tales of woe, determined that her first sleepover will not be marred by homesickness. Yet, when all the fun is done and it is time to settle down to sleep, Iris discovers that she misses the familiar comforts of home. An urgent whisper in Walter’s ear soon has Iris back within the warm embrace of her family. Guest has perfectly captured that unique moment in child development when a little one is precariously balanced on that fragile cusp between parent-dependent young childhood and the more emancipated older child. Everyone’s easy acceptance of Iris’s change of heart offers her all the support she needs; she goes to sleep in her own bed, confident that when the time comes, she will be ready to try another sleepover. Separated into four chapters, this is a manageable tale for beginning readers ready to move beyond simplistic chapter books. Davenier’s bright pen-and-ink illustrations capture the ebullience of Iris as she prances about in a frenzy of anticipation for the big event. Artful, haphazardly colored-in, and loosely drawn images convey an energy and vibrancy to the pictures. Readers will welcome this latest installment in the true-to-life stories of these charming friends. (Easy reader. 5-7)