The Party - Hardcover

PreSchool-Grade 1 --While toys coming to life and acting out a child's fantasy is hardly a new plot device for McPhail, this story is neither as imaginative nor as richly satisfying as his earlier flights of fancy. A sleep-suited preschooler is about to have a party with his stuffed animals when his father comes in with a bedtime story. Father falls asleep, but that doesn't put a damper on the festivities, as the boy and his suddenly animate toys bounce, dance, and raise quite a ruckus. Elephant transports them all to the kitchen for a snack and then deposits still slumbering Dad at his bedroom door before the revellers head back to their own room, still not the least bit sleepy. McPhail's familiar pen-and-ink with watercolor wash drawings are detailed and expressive, but his animals are far more engaging than his humans. Not a bad effort, but hardly cause for celebration. --Luann Toth, School Library Journal
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Imagination reigns supreme in this bedtime delight about a pajama-clad boy who throws a wild party when his father falls asleep in the middle of reading him a story. As Dad slumbers peacefully on, the boy and his stuffed animals--who have wondrously sprung to life--dance, float around the room hanging onto balloons, ride on an electric train and venture downstairs (with somnolent Dad in tow) to raid the refrigerator. A query from Mom sends everyone scurrying back upstairs, and Dad is gently deposited at his bedroom door. But the party may not be quite over. McPhail is right on target with this spirited blend of fantasy and gentle merriment. Even in these apppropriately muted nighttime colors, his paintings are exuberant, and his characters have charm to spare. Ages 4-8.
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc.