The Best Sleepover in the World
AuthorJacqueline Wilson
IllustratorRachael Dean
CountryUnited Kingdom
LanguageEnglish
GenreChildren's novel
PublisherPuffin (first edition, hardback)[1]
Publication date
17 August 2023
Media typePrint (hardback, Ebook & paperback) and audiobook
Pages224[2]
ISBN978-024-156-722-7
Preceded bySleepovers 

The Best Sleepover in the World is a children's novel written by Jacqueline Wilson and illustrated by Rachael Dean. It is a sequel to Wilson's 2001 novel Sleepovers and it was released on 17 August 2023, published by Puffin Books. In the story, Daisy is excluded from a sleepover that her friends are invited to by Chloe. Meanwhile, Daisy's sister, Lily, communicates to Lily that she wants a sleepover of her own. Wilson wrote the sequel after realising how popular the 2001 novel was, which renewed her interest. Wilson included the language Makaton in her novel in order to illustrate how Lily now communicates. Wilson worked with Disability Rights UK to ensure that Lily's story was told well. To celebrate the novel's release, four libraries in Hampshire held their own "Best Sleepover in the World" events. The novel has received generally good reviews, with Wilson's writing and Dean's illustrations being praised.

Synopsis

Set a few months following the events of Sleepovers,[3] Daisy's enemy, Chloe, invites Daisy's friends (Amy, Bella and Emily) to her sleepover, but excludes Daisy.[4] Meanwhile, Daisy's non-verbal sister, Lily, is learning Makaton and signs to Daisy that she wants a sleepover, their family and Daisy's friends try to make Lily's party "the best sleepover in the world".[5]

Development

"I've always been touched that so many young women have told me that Sleepovers was their favourite out of all my stories, and that it was their comfort book as they got older. I've often wondered what happened to Daisy and her non-verbal sister, Lily. At long last I've written a sequel, The Best Sleepover in The World, so we can all find out – and see how Lily comes into her own."

–Wilson on why she wrote the novel (2023)[6]

In March 2023, it was announced that Puffin Books would published Jacqueline Wilson's The Best Sleepover in the World, the sequel to her 2001 novel Sleepovers.[6] It was also announced that the novel would be for readers over the age of six and have black-and-white illustrations throughout by illustrator Rachael Dean.[6] It was also revealed that continued interest in the 2001 novel, which had sold nearly 500,000 copies since 2001, prompted Wilson to "revisit" the story about Daisy, the protagonist, and her sister, Lily.[6] Wilson had considered Sleepovers one of her minor works, but she began realising how popular it was when she would ask fans which of her books were their favourites, which Wilson believes is due to the themes of sleepovers, friendships and "friendships betrayed" that take place in the story.[7] Kelly Hurst, Puffin's editorial director who had acquired UK and Commonwealth rights for the title, said, "I always recommend Sleepovers as the ideal 'first' Jacqueline Wilson book, and it's wonderful to see how Jacqueline captures perfectly the real-life joys and woes of friends and sisters in this sequel".[6] Hurst revealed that the charity Disability Rights UK had worked with Wilson and Puffin in order to "ensure" that Lily's story was told "with positive and joyful representation at its heart".[6]

Jacqueline Wilson wrote the sequel after realising how popular Sleepovers was.

Wilson dedicated the novel to a Nikki Holt and Lucinda, a mother and daughter who post videos on Youtube learning and teaching Makaton, a unique language with speech, signs and symbols that enables people with disabilities to communicate, which inspired Wilson to include it in the novel.[8] Wilson subscribed to their channel and has said that she adores the duo, calling them "lovely" and saying that the pair have "taught me so much - and every single time I watch a quick clip I cheer myself up."[8][9] Nikki Holt received an email from someone from Wilsons' PR team telling her about the dedication, which she said "totally blew me away", and she expressed happiness that there was Makaton in a mainstream book, calling it "just amazing".[9] Wilson used the pair's videos to research Makaton, which she learned a bit of.[8] Speaking of its role in the story, Wilson added that "Lily is non-verbal and uses a wheelchair, but now that she's learned Makaton at her new school she can communicate brilliantly, make jokes, and help her sister get the better of a nasty girl who's plaguing her".[8]

Wilson tried to reflect the change of technology and attitudes in The Best Sleepover in the World by making the setting "bang up to date" despite the characters being the same ages.[7] Whilst Lily is "largely passive" passive in the 2001 novel, Lily in the sequel is described as "sassy", "communicative" and "the hero", is able to communicate using Makaton and has a "super-cool disabled best friend", which was done to reflect the modern times.[7] Wilson also tried to showcase that Lily is "sparky" and has a "sense of humour", which Wilson believed did not come across in the prequel.[3] Talking about the changes, Wilson explained "There is a lot that is weird about modern times, but we should congratulate ourselves in that we're much more accepting of people who are gloriously different in all sorts of ways".[3] Wilson also showcased the updated setting by having Chloe boast about bringing a TikTok influencer to the party.[7]

Release and promotion

To celebrate the release of the book, four libraries in Hampshire held their own "Best Sleepover in the World", an event that was inspired by Hampshire Libraries after they were approached by Puffin.[10] The events included more than 250 Brownies taking part in activities such as making dreamcatchers and friendship bracelets and learning phrases in Makaton.[10] Speaking of the events, Wilson said, "I'm thrilled that the Hampshire Libraries Service organised splendid sleepovers in four different libraries for so many Brownies in the county. I hope everyone had the best sleepover in the world, just like the girls in my book!"[10] Steve Forster, Hampshire County Council's executive member for education, expressed delight that the events took place due to believing that they would help foster a lifetime "love of books and reading".[11]

Reception

The sequel has been referred to as "long-awaited".[4] The Independent chose The Best Sleepover in the World as the tabloid's "Children's book of the week" in the article published on 30 August 2023.[12] The reviewer, Joanne Brennan, called the book an "absolute delight to read" and that it would "enthral" children.[12] She praised the book for teaching about inclusion and helping readers be aware of "disabilities in various forms", as well as calling the relationship between the sisters "fantastic".[12] Brennan also called the cover "eye-catching" and commented that it was a "shame" that the "colour illustrations" were not "carried throughout the book".[13] The Belfast Telegraph labelled the book "The one about inclusion" and named it one of the best books from 2023.[14] Pam Norfolk's review in Lancashire Evening Post called the sequel "heartwarming" and noted that it also explored "those all-too-familiar worries about bullying, disabilities, siblings and friendships" that had been depicted in Sleepovers.[4] Norfolk wrote that Dean's "beautifully emotive" illustrations brought the "sensitively written and inspirational story to life" and noted that readers would enjoy following the characters through "another rollercoaster chapter of family and friendship dramas".[4] She also praised Wilson for "understanding and acknowledging the fears that so often beset children" and for her "subtle" messages of "help and guidance", calling it "Wilson on her very best – and most entertaining – storytelling form".[4] Gwendolyn Smith from i wrote that the book "does a particularly good job of capturing the psychodrama of being an eight or nine-year-old girl".[3]

References

  1. ↑ "The Best Sleepover in the World". Penguin Books. Random House. Retrieved 21 December 2023.
  2. ↑ "The Best Sleepover in the World". Foyles. Retrieved 21 December 2023.
  3. 1 2 3 4 Smith, Gwendolyn (18 August 2023). "Jacqueline Wilson: 'David Walliams's books are not what I would have wanted as a child'". iNews. Daily Mail and General Trust. Retrieved 27 December 2023.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 Norfolk, Pam (18 August 2023). "Amazing science, a reluctant demon and pirate ghosts by various authors – childen's book reviews". Lancashire Evening Post. Lancashire Evening Post Ltd. Retrieved 23 December 2023.
  5. ↑ "The New Books For Children To Get Stuck Into This Summer". Sheerluxe. August 2023. Retrieved 23 December 2023.
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Brown, Lauren (13 March 2023). "Jacqueline Wilson's sequel to her classic novel Sleepovers announced by Puffin". The Bookseller. Retrieved 21 December 2023.
  7. 1 2 3 4 Hattenstone, Simon (7 August 2023). "'I wanted to be No 1. But a certain JK Rowling came along': Jacqueline Wilson on rivalry, censorship – and love". TheGuardian.com. Guardian Media Group. Retrieved 26 December 2023.
  8. 1 2 3 4 Inglis, Louis (16 October 2023). "Jacqueline Wilson dedicates book to YouTube Makaton pair". BBC News. BBC. Retrieved 21 December 2023.
  9. 1 2 Thomas, Joshua (4 October 2023). "Nikki Holt and Lucinda inspire book dedication from Jacqueline Wilson". The Weston & Somerset Mercury. Archant. Retrieved 26 December 2023.
  10. 1 2 3 Lazzeri, Antonella (29 November 2023). "Hythe brownies bedded down for 'The Best Sleepover in the World' in honour of children's author Jacqueline Wilson". Lymington Times and New Milton Advertiser. Highland News and Media Limited. Retrieved 26 December 2023.
  11. ↑ Slominski, Stephen (30 October 2023). "Brownies enjoy a magical sleepover in Chandler's Ford library". Eastleigh News. Retrieved 26 December 2023.
  12. 1 2 3 Wade, Prudence (30 August 2023). "5 new books to read this week". The Independent. Retrieved 21 December 2023.
  13. ↑ Shaw, Neil (30 August 2023). "New books include latest in Dragon Tattoo series and a Jacqueline Wilson". Wales Online. Reach plc. Retrieved 21 December 2023.
  14. ↑ "Great reads to put in Santa's stocking for the smallest of bookworms". Belfast Telegraph. Mediahuis Ireland. 9 December 2023. Retrieved 21 December 2023.
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