ANNABELLE AND THE SPAGHETTI-CONFETTI SURPRISE

A child’s get-together is filled with outlandish snafus.

Sporting a sparkly hair bow and armed with a clipboard, Annabelle has a reputation for hosting amazing celebrations. As she plans a block party, she worries about disappointing her beloved neighbors with anything less than perfect. Annabelle decides her shindig needs a big surprise, which will require the help of Anthony, her disheveled, disorganized older brother. He lends a hand but, sporting an oversize pair of headphones, mishears her requests. When Annabelle asks for streamers, Anthony yells back, “Lemurs?”—which magically summons a group of the primates. Spaghetti (instead of confetti) rains down from the sky after another miscommunication. With baboons (rather than balloons) swinging through the crowd, Annabelle is on the verge of tears until she realizes that the spaghetti is in fact delicious, and the attendees are thrilled. Annabelle’s story is delightfully over-the-top fun laced with a gentle message about going with the flow. Anchored in bright pink, the pages burst with colors and visual interest, which may overwhelm some. While the narrative is swiftly paced, readers will want to slow down to linger over the busy party scenes and details such as a table overflowing with desserts. Annabelle and Anthony are light-skinned; their neighbors are diverse.

A party of a book; for those who love chaos and mischief, fun will be had.