We're Having a Party (for Everyone!) by Katie Vernon (review)

Reviewed by: We're Having a Party (for Everyone!) by Katie Vernon Cassidy Russell Vernon, Katie We're Having a Party (for Everyone!) ; written and illus. by Katie Vernon. Abrams, 2024 40p Trade ed. ISBN 9781419770586 18. 99 Reviewed from digital galleys R 3-6 yrs Lana and her yellow dog Lemon are throwing their first dinner party, all by themselves. The quiet corner and the dance floor are both ready, the spaghetti is made, and Lemon looks fancy in a bowtie. Lana is feeling confident and not at all intimidated by the guest list that includes a queen, Bigfoot, an astronaut, a giant tooth, a dinosaur, a vampire, and even a ghost. Girl and dog make for charming hosts, welcoming the partiers, refilling any empty plates or drinks, and making sure to thank anyone who brings a gift. The festivities are rendered in a mix of vibrant primaries and jewel tones, rife with texture and pattern thanks to Vernon's skillful use of watercolor and gouache, and composition varies dynamically, ranging from full-page spreads rampant with detailed surprises to a diagram of exactly what goes into Lana's grandpa's special jello salad. While Lana spends most of the book explaining manners to her dog, her constant conversational prattling, messy side ponytail, and corkscrew eyebrows make her feel like a very real kid. She and Lemon consider what their guests have in common (the astronaut and the Viking both have cool helmets and the ghost and Bigfoot are both good at hiding) and plan out what will make each guest most comfortable (eight napkins for the octopus, for example, and extra-long straws for the giraffe), but the lessons are balanced out by verbal and illustrated jokes in every spread. This book's punny wordplay and visual surprises make it best enjoyed up close—kiddos will giggle as they snuggle down and plan a future dinner party (real or imagined) of their own. Copyright © 2024 The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois