The child in this story is worried about going to a friend's birthday party. As him and his mom are walking down the street looking for the right house, he asks his mom about each of his worries, like what they'll do, who will be there, or if they'll play scary games, but she reassures him over and over that it will be just fine. The child realizes that there was no reason to worry once he's there. I liked how realistic this book was with the dialogue between the son and the mom because it seemed very accurate to anxiety a child would feel about going to a party for the first time. I also liked that the mom stayed calm and kept reassuring her son the whole time, even though at the end it shares that she was a little worried about him too. However, I didn't love the writing style, and the plot of them walking house to house wasn't the most engaging. ( )

A young boy is nervous about going to a birthday party. His anxiety builds up as he searches for the birthday boy's house. He tries to get reassurance from his mom by asking "what if" questions. This is a major event that some children develop anxiety over. Many children in the classroom may relate to the boy in the story. A teacher can use this book to introduce the feeling of worry to the students. The teacher can then ask the students to write in their journals a time when they felt worried or anxious. ( )

The main character Joe is invited to his friend Tom birthday party but he lost the invitation. He doesn’t know the exact address but he does know the street, so him and his mom walked down the street until they find it. On there journey joe is having second thoughts about whether it will be fun, if the food will be good, and will the games be fun. His mom assures him everything will be great and he will have a great time but he is very nervous and tries to convince his mom to go back home. As there walking a door opens and out come Tom to welcome Joe to the party and the mom leaves Joe. Then she starts to worry if Joe is having and good time and when she returned to pick him up he was happy and enjoyed himself. This story is good for kids who are nervous to be in new environments and trying over come that fear. ( )

In my opinion, this is a great book. The illustrations in "What if.." is what pushes the readers to think about tough issues. Every house that Joe walks by, he asks a different question. Each house has a vivid, unusual resident that fits with the written text and builds up the suspense as for what Joe is going to do. For example, walking by the first house Joe says, "What if theres someone at the party I don't know?" Joe is the main character who once again any child can relate too. He is a typical young boy with social anxieties and does not want to be embarrassed and just wants to fit in. The message of this book is to let children know that sometimes it is worth being nervous and stepping outside of your comfort zone. The writing shows this when Joes mum asks him, "I was wondering Joe if you would like to have a party of your own for your bday?" This particular part of the book shows that in the end Joe being nervous, but going to the party was worth it. ( )

An outstanding book that takes on one of the most common anxieties for kids, a birthday party at a strange house. Kudos to Browne for addressing this issue without lecturing. The search for the house and the many scenes in the different windows will keep this lesson on the more lighthearted side. ( )