Darcy's First Sleepover

Written & illustrated by Julie Fortenberry

Darcy faces her first sleepover, missing home comforts. Will she stay or go home?

3.8/5 Goodreads · 70 ratings

40 pages· 780 words· Est. 6 min read-aloud

$18.99Save 7%

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Bookroo's summary

Darcy is excited yet nervous about her first sleepover at cousin Kayla's house. Used to her own bedtime routine, she finds Kayla's peppermint toothpaste and the howling winds unsettling. Missing her dad and her cozy room, Darcy wonders if she should ask to go home. This heartwarming story explores the thrill of new experiences and the quiet courage it takes to embrace them. Will Darcy find comfort in the unfamiliar and enjoy her night away, or will she seek the safety of home?

"It was so different here. She missed her dad. Should she wake her aunt and ask to go home?"

— from the book

From the publisher

A gently reassuring picture book about the milestone of a first sleepover, for fans of The Invisible String by Patrice Karst and Wemberly Worries by Kevin Henkes. Every night at home, Darcy brushes her teeth with strawberry toothpaste; she snuggles in bed with Little Cat; and she falls asleep to the sound of her dad washing the dishes. But tonight, Darcy is having her very first sleepover! Even though it’s at her cousin Kayla’s house, it still feels a little daunting. Kayla has peppermint toothpaste, a baby bear named Charlotte, and howling winds outside her window. Darcy misses her dad and her own cozy bedroom. Should she ask her aunt to take her home? This rewarding tale celebrates the excitement of new experiences and the power of quiet growth. Backmatter also included shedding light on steps parents can take when helping kids prepare for their first sleepover! Christy Ottaviano Books

At a glance

Format: Hardcover
Pages: 40
Words: 780
Reading age: 4–8
Audience: Picture

Themes & topics

Books about family Books about social themes Books about new experiences Books about sleepovers Books about friendship

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Do you remember your first sleepover?

What readers & critics say

Reviews

“A child’s first sleepover can be fraught with worry. Their usual routines are disrupted in a new house surrounded by new things and with new adults at the helm. Author-illustrator Julie Fortenberry expertly captures these concerns in Darcy’s First Sleepover, a sensitive, empathetic look at one girl’s first sleepover success.”

BookPage

Critic

“A gentle, confidence-boosting volume about a common milestone.”

Publisher's Weekly

Critic

“Fully resonant with the text, the illustrations have a winsome look that is most appealing. A realistic, first-sleepover picture book with a happy ending.”

Booklist

Critic

“A sweet, well-paced tale about a common anxiety.”

Kirkus Reviews

Critic

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