Party Animal

By Author / Illustrator

Chris Naylor-Ballesteros

Genre

Funny Stories

Age range(s)

Publisher

Andersen Press

ISBN

9781839132599

Format

Hardback

Published

17-04-2025

Synopsis

Introverted and socially anxious Tortoise discovers that parties with friends aren't as overwhelming as he thinks . . . instead they can be quite enjoyable.

Tortoise is NOT a party animal. He thinks parties are noisy and silly, and he's far too shy. But his friends have invited him to a very special party, and everyone's expecting him there. Perhaps he can make a quick appearance and go home early . . . but when he turns up, there's nobody there. Perhaps the party isn't happening after all!

Reviews

Sue

Tortoise has been invited to a party, but he doesn't really like them and so is not keen to go. He loves his friends, but the thought of them all together all at once is just too much. However, he decides to go for a little while, but when he arrives, there is no one there…

Party Animal is a gentle, reassuring story, perfect for those who find social situations overwhelming and confusing. Fond as he is of his friends, the thought of a party is too much for him - and there are many children who will empathise with his feelings about this!

Tortoise has many worries about the approaching party. It's not just the noise and the number of people there, but also feeling under pressure to enjoy the occasion when he knows that he won't. The pictures on his wall show that in one-to-one situations, he enjoys close friendships and has fun with his friends. Not all children enjoy the chaos and noise which can be a feature of children's parties and will empathise with Tortoise's situation. However, his friends obviously know him very well and seem to have done everything they can think of to make him feel at ease. The party is being held in his favourite place on his special day - and it turns out it is to celebrate his birthday!

The story offers the perfect starting point for reassuring discussions with those who might be nervous about going to a social occasion, but also encourages empathy and understanding in others. Gorgeous illustrations, full of details children will love to spot, allowing them to anticipate Tortoise's surprise, enhance this lovely story, making it sure to become a firm favourite!

Picture book / Reviewed by Sue Wilsher, teacher