Review by Booklist Review
Henry is anxious that Marty--who he thinks is the coolest girl in his class due to her building, drawing, and joke-telling skills--won't have fun at his birthday party. Judging by the cake candles, Henry is turning five or six. His sister, Sam, helps him think through how each negative scenario he describes could have a positive outcome. Their dog might slobber on Marty and make her cry--but what if Marty loves their dog? Marty might like chocolate cake more than the confetti cake Henry is having--but what if Marty loves confetti cake so much that she wants four servings? Art made to look child-created is incorporated into illustrations to express Henry's fears; Sam's illustrated answers look like an older child drew them. This loving sibling relationship offers reassuring lessons about worry, anxiety, and expectations. In the end, Marty likes the dog and the cake, she does not cry, and everyone has a wonderful time at the party. What a relief!
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by School Library Journal Review
PreS-Gr 2--Henry, a city kid, is excited and worried about his upcoming birthday party. His very favorite friend and coolest kid in class, Marty, is invited. Henry is trying to fall asleep but cannot stop going down the what-if rabbit hole. He envisions her not liking the dog, not liking their apartment or his grandmother's birthday cake, having to walk up the stairs if the elevator is broken, and worst of all, not having any fun. Fortunately for Henry, his very wise big sister, Sam, is there in the upper bunk with just the right responses. What if Marty ends up loving their dog, liking the cake so much she wants more, thinks their apartment is wonderful, and has the very best time? Henry asks his sister how she knows this? Sam responds "I don't. But neither do you." Warm tones infuse the realistic panels when Sam and Henry interact, and in depictions of the party full of smiling children of varying skin tones. Henry's imaginings come to life with brighter tones drawn in a cartoonish, childlike style. It all fuses to create a reassuring story of family and friendship. Pair with Kevin Henkes's Wemberly Worried for a feel-good combination. VERDICT Henry will help many children feel better about their worries, making this a good choice for early elementary collections in need of contemporary graphic novels.--Elisabeth LeBris
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Review by Kirkus Book Review
A child frets about an upcoming celebration. Henry's birthday party is tomorrow, but the youngster's been quiet and preoccupied all day. That night, Henry finally confides in older sibling Sam: What if Henry's new best friend, Marty, doesn't like the family's dog, Ketchup? What if she turns up her nose at their grandmother's confetti cake? What if the elevator in their building breaks down, and Marty has to take the stairs? And what if she judges them for living in a small apartment? Sam counters each of Henry's concerns: What if Marty finds Ketchup adorable? What if she wants extra helpings of cake? What if she likes counting stairs the way Henry does and thinks their apartment is the coolest? Sam's measured responses don't dismiss Henry's fears; instead, they balance the youngster's anxieties with equally possible but hopeful outcomes. Comic book--like layouts make for dynamic page designs, allowing readers to linger on various moments. The illustrations themselves are unfortunately flat and murky; characters have off-puttingly blank eyes and bland faces. Scenes depicting Henry and Sam's what-if scenarios, rendered in childlike scrawls, better convey their emotions and portray the extremes of each hypothetical scenario, ultimately showing kids how to take charge of their worries. Tan-skinned Henry and Sam appear to be biracial (their mother is brown-skinned, while their father presents East Asian); Marty is brown-skinned. An understated, empathetic approach to helping children handle their what-ifs.(Picture book. 6-9) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
