Iris and Walter: The Sleepover: A Reassuring Chapter Book About First Nights Away for Children

Iris and Walter

by Elissa Haden Guest, Christine Davenier (Illustrator)

Iris cannot wait to have her first sleepover at her best friend Walter's house. They will put on a puppet show. They will ride Walter's horse Rain in their pyjamas. They will stay up very, very late. But on the big night, when it is time for bed after all the fun, Iris lies awake missing Grampa's songs, her parents' kisses, and Baby Rose sleeping nearby. Maybe, just maybe, this sleepover wasn't such a good idea after all.
The fourth book in this critically acclaimed and award-winning series will reassure any child who is anxious about spending a night away from home.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens

44 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 2002

About the author

Elissa Haden Guest is the author of Baby Builders, illustrated by Hiroe Nakata and the award-winning Iris and Walter series illustrated by Christine Davenier. She holds an MFA in Children’s Literature from Hollins University and teaches classes in writing for children and young adults at College of Marin Community Education and Stanford Continuing Studies. She and her husband have two swell children and a hilarious little grandson. They live in San Francisco where they root for the Golden State Warriors.

Reviews

[Laura]

I liked this book a lot because I could relate to it well from experiences when I was young. This book can be used when children get homesick letting them know that it's okay to be homesick and go home if you're not ready for sleepovers.

[Jessica]

Very cute beginning Chapter book. A girl with a very structured bed time is going on her first sleep over. Of course she gets homesick after the big build up. It is very sweet with great illustrations to keep those you readers engaged.

This Christmas break, I brough home books in a series that I hadn't read before and tried out many of them so I can do book talks and promote good younger readers.

[Meredith]

Iris is excited for her first sleepover, and although she has fun, she still becomes homesick by bedtime.

This easy reader series uses Iris's and Walter's friendship to tackle everyday issues experienced by children, both acknowledging the small struggles that have big impacts and reassuring young readers.

[talia]

What a sweet story of a first sleepover! I loved the supportive families and evocative illustrations.

[Dolly]

This is a sweet story about a child's first experience with a sleepover. They are exciting, but can also be scary and uncomfortable for a child who has not spent nights away from home. The illustrations are very expressive and help convey the changing emotions throughout the tale. We enjoyed reading this story together and has good timing as our girls are just beginning to have sleepovers (though so far they've been at our house.)

We will certainly look for more books in the Iris and Walter series at our local library.

[Becky]

Iris and Walter are best, best friends. Iris is super-super excited to sleep over at Walter's house on Saturday night. It will be her very first sleepover, ever. And she's mostly excited, at times, a wee bit nervous, but mostly excited. The two have great fun together, it is everything she ever hoped it would be, but, as the hours go by, the homesickness gradually becomes stronger than the excitement and fun. Iris admits that she wants to go home...

I am definitely liking Iris and Walter!

[Rebecca Ann]

This was a very short easy chapter book good for beginning readers grade 1 or 2.

red flags-irish is shirtless in one scene but since she is a very little girl I doubt most would find this offensive.

[Kim]

My 7yo read this book while listening to it on a CD. Good times.

[Shawn]

Iris' first attempt at a sleepover at Walter's house results in a not-unusual outcome, with reassurance for Iris and the reader. Gr. 1-3.

[Kayla]

This was not my favorite book. It started out exciting, but I felt kind of let down by the ending.