Isadora Moon Has a Sleepover

Isadora Moon Has a Sleepover by Harriet Muncaster is a magical story for 5 year olds about a first night away and a very ambitious cake.

What happens

Isadora's class has a baking competition to enter. The prize is a visit to the final of a television cake show. Zoe wants Isadora to be her partner and suggests making their cake during a sleepover.

Isadora has never stayed at a friend's house before. She's excited about the midnight snacks and being together all evening. As she packs her bag, though, she starts to feel nervous.

Her family does things a little differently. Isadora is part fairy through her mum and part vampire through her dad. Staying awake at night sounds completely normal to him, so he can't quite see what all the fuss is about.

You hear the story from Isadora herself. She wants to join in, but she doesn't always know about the things her classmates are discussing. Everyone else seems to know the cake show already and she doesn't have a television at home.

If your reader has ever been very keen on a plan and then worried when it's time to go, that part may feel familiar. Isadora even wonders whether she should come home after a few hours. Knowing her dad can check on her helps.

Zoe is so pleased to see her that the visit soon feels much easier. She's even made a snack she thinks will remind Isadora of home. Isadora has never heard of fairy bread (despite the fairy side of her family), but she appreciates the thought.

The cake plans get bigger once they watch the show together. There are layers and different flavours to think about. The girls are very serious about winning those tickets.

There's also a wand in Isadora's bag. She packed it to use as a light, but having magic handy makes a baking project much more tempting. Would you manage to leave it alone?

For a child who likes friendship stories with something magical mixed in, the sleepover gives them both. The worries are recognisable even when the family arrangements are rather unusual.

What to read next

A Necklace of Raindrops is another magical choice in the library. Its eight fairytales include a girl whose birthday present lets her change the weather, with one important rule about keeping it safe.