Little Whistle's Dinner Party

by Cynthia Rylant, Tim Bowers (Illustrator)

When Little Whistle wakes up one evening feeling hungry, he decides to ask friends in Toytown to a special dinner. There's so much to do: choose the perfect dishes, set the table, and prepare many delicious treats. Finally, everything is almost ready, but Little Whistle still needs to pick out the dessert. Will he be back in time for his party?
Once again, Newbery Medalist Cynthia Rylant and artist Tim Bowers will charm readers with this endearing guinea pig’s adventures in Toytown--because at night when the shades are drawn and Little Whistle is awake, magical things always happen. . . .

Genres: Picture Books, Fantasy, Fiction, Childrens

32 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2001

About the author

Cynthia Rylant is an American author, poet, and librarian whose deeply felt books for children and young adults have made her one of the most beloved voices in contemporary literature. Writing across picture books, novels, short stories, nonfiction, and poetry, she has published more than one hundred works, many of them rooted in memory, family, solitude, and the emotional landscapes of ordinary life. Her fiction often draws from her upbringing in West Virginia and reflects the textures of Appalachian life with unusual tenderness and clarity.
Raised in modest circumstances, Rylant spent much of her childhood with her grandparents in a rural setting that later became central to her imagination as a writer. Those early years, marked by hardship as well as warmth, shaped the emotional honesty and quiet resilience that define her work. She later studied English and library science, and after working as a waitress, librarian, and teacher, she began publishing books inspired by the world she had known so intimately.
Among her most acclaimed works are Missing May, which received the Newbery Medal, and A Fine White Dust, a Newbery Honor Book. She also earned Caldecott Honors for When I Was Young in the Mountains and The Relatives Came. For younger readers, she became especially well known through the enduring Henry and Mudge series, as well as other popular books and series that combine gentleness, humor, and emotional depth.
Rylant's writing is distinguished by its compassion for lonely, searching, or overlooked characters, and by its reverence for animals, nature, and small human connections. Whether writing about grief, wonder, childhood, or belonging, she brings a lyrical simplicity that resonates across generations. Her books continue to offer comfort, recognition, and beauty to readers of all ages. She remains a singular literary presence in children's literature and beyond today.

Reviews

[Rose Rosetree · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very picture book cute, this account of Little Whistle's dinner party.

This is a whimsical story, maybe beyond whimsical. Once Little Whistle decides to host a dinner party, he's just like a housewife from America in the 1950s -- which is when I began reading articles in my mother's subscription magazine, "Ladies Home Journal."

The guinea pig invites his friends in Toytown to the dinner party.

Then, oh my, there's so much to do.

* Select the perfect dishes.
* Set the table.
* Prepare many food treats.

FIVE STARS for a total fantasy, presented as if it's real life. And really important.

[Kest Schwartzman · Rating 4 out of 5]

can you imagine - but no, really, sit down and try to put yourself here - can you imagine being the clerk in an all night grocery, and having a small guinea pig, wearing a peacoat, enter your store riding in a toy airplane, and trying to purchase from you a box of cookies, paying, one assumes, with monopoly money?

You will never be able to tell anyone about this. There is no one, not even your mom, who will believe you. You will have to take this moment of wonder to your grave.

Or maybe, just maybe, you write a kids book and pretend its fiction?

[Lynda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet little story about Whistle, a guinea pig who lives in a toy store where the toys magically come to life at night, and the dinner party he hosts for his friends.

[Bella · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the little whistle books.

[Arminzerella · Rating 3 out of 5]

Little Whistle is back! He’s up to his usual nocturnal adventures in the toy shop, too. This time he decides to host a dinner party for all of his friends. First he invites everyone personally to join him at midnight for the party, then he makes a quick trip (via plane!) to the all-night grocery to get some supplies. The party is a great success – especially the vanilla wafer cookies they have for dessert.

Tim Bowers’ illustrations are magical and breathe life into Little Whistle and the other characters. Readers can’t help but respond to Little Whistle’s sweet, sleepy smile as he slips off into dreamland every morning. Another enjoyable entry in this series.

[Ina · Rating 5 out of 5]

My story time audience was familiar with Little Whistle, the adorable guinea pig who lives in a toy store. He is nocturnal and spends many happy nights, once the store shades have been drawn, visiting with his toy-friends in the shop, who come to life at night as well. All of our favorites are here, soldier who reads stories to all the store's babies, lion who loves vanilla cookies, and bear who loves hats. In this book, Little Whistle invites all of his friends to a dinner party, makes elaborate preparations and then arrives in a helicopter to the dinner bringing dessert. Charming and lovable my story time audience hung on every words and smiled at every illustration.

[Matthew · Rating 3 out of 5]

This continuing adventure of Little Whistle has him hosting a dinner party. The story follows him mostly through preparing for the party. It's all fun. Good for younger readers that like Toy Story or guinea pigs. I like his coat personally.

[Leona · Rating 4 out of 5]

cute series of books about a hampster who lives in a toy store and makes friends with all the toys that come to life when the store closes. very slow-paced and sweet so perfect for calming down just before bedtime.

[Angela · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another very good Whistle book.

[Shannon · Rating 3 out of 5]

06/12: Little Whistle the guinea pig throws a dinner party for his toy-friend guests.

[Nancy Kotkin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gentle story with really cute illustrations. Good for very young children.