Destiny Ink: Sleepover Surprise

DESTINY INK: SLEEPOVER SURPRISE is a sweet chapter book about new experiences and helping friends. Destiny is very excited and nervous for her first sleepover. When she finds a monster in her room, Trog, she learns that he is nervous about doing a sleepover too. Destiny is ready to help and they have a great time together. When it comes time for Olivia to sleepover, Destiny is more than prepared for her (second) sleepover!

What I loved: This is a charming and sweet chapter book with lots of illustrations and text that is easy to follow, perfect for independent readers moving into chapter books. Destiny is a highly relatable character who is experiencing a new first and a bit worried about it. While not everyone might have a monster to entertain, the experience will be familiar to readers, who understand that sometimes helping others also helps themselves.

The illustrations are fantastic with lots of doodles and personality. They are relatively widespread throughout the book with images on nearly every page spread, which is great for early independent readers. The large, clear font also works well for this age group, and the vocabulary is simple enough to work well for advancing independent readers, including some made-up words to practice with.

Final verdict: DESTINY INK: SLEEPOVER SURPRISE is a fun chapter book that will work well for independent readers who can also relate to experiences - with a magic monster twist!

In Destiny Ink: Sleepover Surprise, Destiny Ink has a sleepover coming up with her best friend, Olivia. The plan is for the two of them to camp outside in the backyard. Destiny is a little bit nervous since she has never had a sleepover so she decides to practice. She sets up a tent in her bedroom but at night a monster shows up. The monster seems to be just as scared as Destiny is about being away from home. Will Destiny be able to help him overcome his fears and have a great time?

What I Liked: This book is a lot of fun especially as the alien comes to visit and we get a glimpse of what Destiny Ink expects from a sleepover. It’s interesting to follow along with the various activities that Destiny Ink and her new friend get up to and to see how the alien interacts with Earth things that are new to him.

Throughout the book there are several illustrations that showcase what Destiny Ink is feeling along with some of the drawings that she creates to cope with her feelings. The illustrations do a great job incorporating with the text so that younger readers can easily get through this book. The font size also is great for younger readers and the pacing of the book is great.

At the end of this book there are some how to draw pages that show you how to draw Destiny Ink, Fuzzy, and Trog. This is a fun addition to the book as Destiny Ink uses her imagination and love of drawing throughout the book to show you how she is feeling or to help herself and others overcome their fears.

Final Verdict: Destiny Ink: Sleepover Surprise is a funny and cute read for young readers who are being introduced to chapter books. Children ages six and up will enjoy learning how to cope with fears and how practice can help them overcome their fears.