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Wednesday, March 15, 2023

The Invitation, written by Stacey May Fowles and illustrated by Marie Lafrance. Groundwood, 2023. $19.99 ages 4 and up

 


"Fern worried so hard and wondered so long 
that she didn't even notice her friend Fawn 
appear on the front lawn. 
"Beautiful fall day!" Fawn called. "What's 
that you have there?" 
"I don't really know," Fern replied sadly. 

"Then you should OPEN IT! OPEN IT! 
OPEN IT!" called Fawn, swatting away 
the storm. "Whatever it is, we'll face it 
together.
"

When Fern finds a yellow envelope in her mailbox, she expresses concern. She pays no attention to anything going on around her as her head fills with worries about what she might find in that envelope. Her worries keep her from checking that mail. Her mind fills with what if? questions. Fawn's arrival goes unnoticed until a question about the envelope is asked. Fern knows nothing about it. Fawn encourages Fern to open it, and promises to stand right beside her as she does. 

It is an invitation to a surprise at the museum. Fern is averse to surprises; Fawn promises to accompany her. As they walk along, Fern expresses more worries about timing, accidents, a bear's hunger, a bear's toothache, the guests they will see at the museum. Each worry voiced gets a positive and reasonable response from Fern's good friend. As they arrive, they agree that perhaps the two can introduce all the creatures they have met along the way to those in attendance. Once there, Fern sees that all guests have the same yellow envelope. They have all been invited. What a party awaits! 

It seems all's well that ends well, when you have a confident friend by your side. Similar future experiences such as this one are likely to help Fern deal with her anxiety one small step at a time. 

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