What if Marty Doesn’t Like My Party?

PreS-Gr 2–Henry, a city kid, is excited and worried about his upcoming birthday party. His very favorite friend and coolest kid in class, Marty, is invited. Henry is trying to fall asleep but cannot stop going down the what-if rabbit hole. He envisions her not liking the dog, not liking their apartment or his grandmother’s birthday cake, having to walk up the stairs if the elevator is broken, and worst of all, not having any fun. Fortunately for Henry, his very wise big sister, Sam, is there in the upper bunk with just the right responses. What if Marty ends up loving their dog, liking the cake so much she wants more, thinks their apartment is wonderful, and has the very best time? Henry asks his sister how she knows this? Sam responds “I don’t. But neither do you.” Warm tones infuse the realistic panels when Sam and Henry interact, and in depictions of the party full of smiling children of varying skin tones. Henry’s imaginings come to life with brighter tones drawn in a cartoonish, childlike style. It all fuses to create a reassuring story of family and friendship. Pair with Kevin Henkes’s Wemberly Worried for a feel-good combination.