THE DAY MY BEST FRIEND AND A MIGRAINE SLEPT OVER

Stein’s picture book captures the complicated feelings that can come along with chronic illness.

The unnamed narrator’s best friend, Allie, is joining the family for a Shabbat dinner, a sleepover, and a special visit to an apple orchard the day afterward. But what if a migraine ruins all their plans? After the narrator narrowly heads off a migraine after school with medication, Allie arrives at their house for an evening of fun. But another migraine shows up around bedtime, and Allie sleeps in the guest room to help keep the bedroom quiet for her noise- and light-sensitive friend. The unnamed narrator realistically tells of getting sick and throwing up from the pain, extremely rare in a picture book (although the vomiting itself is not pictured). The story’s basic setup is something most kids have experienced: A friend is due for a sleepover, and the host is desperately hoping that nothing ruins their planned activities. The specific content will be helpful those who have migraines, who will feel seen, and educational for those who are unfamiliar with them. Vocabulary words (including aura, challah, and migraine) are defined in an accessible manner. Solarte’s color illustrations are a bit stiff, however, and somewhat lack detail.

A pleasant work provides a mirror for other migraine sufferers.