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Synopsis
A 2006-2007 Chocolate Lily Book Award Nominee in the Picture Book category
Ontario Library Association Best Bets List 2005
Blue Spruce Award shortlist, 2005
Ben likes nothing more than to go over to Peter's house. When the two friends play together, Ben can be anything he wants: a pirate, a musician, a cook. He can even be a potato! But when it comes to sleepovers, all Ben can think about is going home - right away. He doesn't like the strange bed or the unfamiliar noises in the night. And he doesn't have his own cat to warm his tummy.
Mum and Dad try to come up with some ideas, but flashlights and familiar blankets don_t make Ben feel better. Joe offers to come along for protection, but Ben doesn't want his big brother going on sleepovers with him. It looks like Ben just can't be a sleepover-nighter. Or can he?
A delightful sequel to the bestseller Big Ben, this is the perfect book for preschoolers and beginner readers who are facing their own overnight challenges or have younger siblings who might need a little encouragement.
Publishers Weekly
Acknowledging that sleepovers can be difficult for some children, this thoughtful story addresses Ben's longing to spend the night at his best friend Peter's house across the street and the fears that prevent him from carrying out his wish. Ellis's text concisely leads into the dilemma: "Ben can be almost anything at Peter's house. He can be a pirate. He can be a musician. He can be a cook.... The one thing Ben can't be at Peter's house is a sleepover-nighter." LaFave (We'll All Go Sailing) paints cartoon-like characters with dot eyes and minimal props (drum-set, sandwich tray) in silhouette against pale washes or white background. By contrast, three scenes illustrating Ben's middle-of-the-night episodes ("There are strange night noises. There is no cat on his stomach") appear on full-bleed, cobalt blue and black spreads, effectively conveying the boy's anxiety. Ben's parents are patient and encouraging, and his sister helps him come up with a way to assuage his fears. The story ends on the morning after a successful sleepover, with the words, "Ben can be anything at Peter's house." Compassionate and optimistic, this story may well help others in the hero's predicament to solve their problem. Ages 5-7. (May) Copyright 2005 Reed Business Information.