Party Animals

by Tara Lazar

Any time is party time with the Party Animals!

A delightful picture book that is equal parts silly and thoughtful, perfect for read-aloud parties and library-going parties and learning-to-be-friends parties.

Meet Beatrix, Theodore, and the Party Animals!

They can make a party out of anything.

Sour milk? PARTY!
Hole in your pants? PARTY!

Now meet Horace. He’s a party pooper. “You can’t have so many parties!” he says.

SCREEEECH.
Could Horace be right?

Join the Party Animals in this whimsical celebration of friendship and empathy.

Genres: Picture Books, Animals, Childrens, Storytime

48 pages, Hardcover

Published March 11, 2025

About the author

Street magic performer. Award-winning ice sculptor. Hog-calling champion. These are all things Tara Lazar has never been. Instead, she writes stories for children featuring quirky characters and hilarious happenings. Tara writes the 7 ATE 9 series of picture books from Little Brown, illustrated by Ross MacDonald. Her next book is BLOOP, about an alien who comes to conquer earth but thinks the dogs are in charge! Tara lives in New Jersey with her husband, two daughters, and an adopted stray cat named Phoebe who thinks she is in charge of the planet. Visit Tara online to read about all her books at taralazar.com.

Reviews

[Kambrie Boyd]

This one wasn't that great. I liked how they talked about how something (like a party) can't be special if you do it every day. But then, at the end of the story, even the "party pooper" was part of another party! Oh, well. Maybe the next book we read will be better.

[Rebecca Gardyn]

A super fun story about finding joy in the every day!

[Paula]

I understand the "idea" behind this story, but I put it on the shelf with other picture books that "work too hard" to get a point across. See the "light" in one's day...look at the "glass half full" seems to be a message more easily understood by young readers than the idea of "party-party-party"—no one (not even a child), translates daily living that way. Party Pooper tries to "calm" the party-goers down, but what he shares (his philosophy) is too heavy and perhaps not understood by children of such a young age.

[Melanie Hetrick]

A story of a group of animals that throw a party for anything and everything. A puddle dried up? Party. Crack in the sidewalk? Party. Milk went sour? Party. When the Party Pooper asks why there has to be a party for milk going sour, the animals respond that now they can eat cereal right out of the box. It's not explained why they couldn't do that before the milk went sour.

Not recommended. Rather stupid. And WTH is with the brain on a plate illustration?!

[John Mullarkey]

Party Animals by Tara Lazar is a super fun story that makes a great read aloud - especially on a cold rainy day. The illustrations by Anna Raff are bright and colorful - check out all of the party supplies and cupcakes splashing off the page!It also has a unique message about seeing the brightness in things that might not be so exciting or fun - as the subtitle says: ¨Any time is party time!¨

[Angela De Groot]

Another fun and funny story from Tara Lazar. Love the silly humor while exploring the different ways different personality types view the world. I especially like the transforming of negatives into positives, instead of letting them ruin your day. The illustrations are lively and engaging.

[J New]

Cute but an odd message. Is it about celebrating life every day or celebrating too much!