I absolutely loved this fun book! The title page of the book tells so much about the entire book, the title is in bold easy to read font, the illustrations are detailed and colorful but, have a wash of more cooler tones, and the cover shows animals dancing and playing music with a little boy. I really liked how the words and phrases used in the story were simple and easy to follow along with. The story is about a little boy who is getting ready for bed, the boys dad reads him a bedtime book but, the dad ends up falling asleep. The boy is surrounded by his stuffed animals and suddenly it is almost as if they come to life. I loved how they worked up to it, page by page the stuffed animals began coming to life little by little until they seemed like real animals and not just stuffed animals. I think that a child would love the build up of events and the small changes in each page. I liked how the pages were not very lengthy in text and the illustrations did a lot of the story telling as well. The story really makes one use their imaginations and let ones imagination roam free. The story is such a light and fun read that is very comical. In the story the animals and the boy are throwing a party while the dad is asleep and they even take him downstairs to get a snack! The story also has a bit of suspense in it as the mom of the boy calls out for the dad, who is still asleep. The illustrations are very detailed and colorful, they really reflect the fun that is occurring in the story. I loved it! ( )

This book is about a boy in the nighttime who has a party with his animals. First they must wait for his father falls asleep and when he does, they ride a train, make sandwiches, and dance and play. When his mother calls for his father to come to bed, they must push him up the stairs and take his sleeping father to bed. The story ends with the boy falling into deep sleep.

The Party by David McPhail is a book about a little boy who has a plan, for when his father goes to sleep, the party is on!

What's neat about the story is that all of his buddies are stuffed animals which seem to take life and begin dancing and playing with him once his father is sleeping. Kids love it so much because it's an imaginative story with very detailed illustrations. The pictures remind me of Where the Wild Things Are with the way they are drawn.

This is the last book in level 5 included with the "old" Hooked on Phonics reading system for children.

4**** ( )

A young boy and his animal friends try to wake his father up after he falls asleep. They try everything from tickling him to pushing and poking him to no avail. They finally decide to throw a party without him. They pretend to ride on a train; they make music and dance, and finally they trek downstairs to get a snack with the boy's father in tow. They have to hurry back though because the little boy's mother is looking for his father who is downstairs with them asleep and unaware. ( )

The party is a great tale on childhood imagination. The little girls animals come to life and join her in a great party after her dad falls asleep. It is a little bland for a story, but simple for a younger child. I think you could read this story to very young children and get away with it. ( )