IN 140 CHARACTERS OR LESS:
A terrific chapter book for early readers aged 5-7 that explores how it feels to be left out of a party.
Who is it for:
This is an introductory chapter book for children who are coping easily with ‘readers’ and are ready for something new. While the main character is a boy, this book will certainly appeal to party-obsessed little girls.
The format:
The Party Invite is 42 pages long, which includes some full page, black and white illustrations.
While it’s the latest in the Hey Jack series, it can easily be read on its own.
The Author:
Australian author, Sally Rippin had published more than 50 children’s, including the hugely sucessful Billie B Brown series.
Thoughts:
At one of the final assemblies of the year at my daughter’s school, her Principal revealed that she knew of children in the school who hadn’t been invited to a single party all year. All year. Not a single party.
I found this indescribably sad.
In my household, a party (any party) is a source of huge joy. Invitations are treasured, outfits are planned, presents are oohed and aahed over, and the actual event itself – well – let’s just say they always exceed the already high expectations.
But the simple fact is – not every child can be invited to every party. I get that. Children often don’t. That’s why The Party Invite is such a useful book. It explores the feelings of hurt that Jack experiences when he fails to receive an invitation to the party of his friend, Rebecca.
Now, he is lying on his bed feeling mad and bad, but mostly sad.
Ultimately, Jack comes to realise that invitations aren’t a reflection on the status of a friendship; Rebecca wanted to invite him, but could only ask four friends because it was a sleep-over party.
‘Really? Just four? says Jack. He feels a fizzle in his tummy. So it’s not just me who wasn’t invited! he thinks.
My six year old daughter enjoyed this book so much that she finished it, and promptly started re-reading it. I think that probably says it all.
Buy it from Dymocks or Booktopia
