Toy Dance Party (Toys Go Out)
Grade 1–3—Jenkins continues the adventures of Lumphy, Stingray, and Plastic, which began inToys Go Out(Random, 2006). This charming fantasy about friendship explores their feelings and fears. The Girl who owns them is growing up and they are worried that she is leaving them behind. Telling the story from the point of view of the toys helps children to view these concerns in a nonthreatening light. In six new escapades, the toys learn to stick together and help solve their predicaments. Each new adventure builds anticipation and apprehension as the toys struggle for a satisfactory conclusion. Humor-laced language creates visual images as well as unusual sounds (e.g., "rumpa, lumpa"). Zelinsky's cleverly detailed black-and-white illustrations are amusing and add to the overall pleasure in the book. Beginning chapter-book readers will enjoy the pace of each episode.Toy Dance Partyalso makes a great read-aloud.—Margaret R. Tassia, Millersville University, PACopyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.