LESTER'S OVERNIGHT

by Kay Chorao ‧ RELEASE DATE: April 7, 1977

Everything at Auntie Belle's house is different from the way it is at home-broccoli on the dinner plate, a cold bare floor in the bedroom, even purple soap in the tub--and though he doesn't comment, Lester's mental comparisons are unmistakably wistful. Adding to the little boy's unease are his literal misinterpretation of common phrases: he fears the worst when Auntie Belle tells him that his parents will be ""all tied up"" tonight, and he's not at all eager to meet Auntie's new tiger cat. But what was a touchingly and plausible joke--with Lester's mistaken imaginings revealed only in the illustrations--begins to wear when he pictures himself as Auntie Belle's ""good little lamb"" and, more far-fetched, concludes that a ""good knight"" is ""upon us,"" guarding the roof so that he can sleep securely. Chorao's shaded, soft pencil drawings of a resonantly old-fashioned house convey both Auntie Belle's welcoming warmth and Lester's feelings of strangeness. Lester will have no trouble making contact, but his very real discomfort deserves more respect.

Pub Date: April 7, 1977

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Dutton

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 1, 1977

Categories: CHILDREN'S