ALA Booklist (Wed Dec 01 00:00:00 CST 1999)

In this entry in the excellent MathStart series, Rabbit invites his friends over for a pajama party. They eat pizza and ice cream, tell ghost stories, and eventually fall asleep. The story introduces the concept of sequencing simply by recounting a series of happenings. Words such as about then when and so gently clue children in to the proper order of events. The story and lively watercolor illustrations of animals eating ice cream and telling ghost stories are so entertaining that children will hardly know they're getting a lesson in math. The back pages contain exercises and games kids can use to help reinforce the concept. (Reviewed December 1, 1999)

Horn Book (Sat Apr 01 00:00:00 CST 2000)

Mom snaps photos of Rabbit and his three friends as they eat pizza, make sundaes, and put on their pajamas. The rhyming text's lively illustrations fully capture the fun of the slumber party experience. The story's math tie-in--a final view of Mom's snapshots in chronological order--is weak; readers will have to dig into the suggested activities for a meatier lesson on time sequencing.

Kirkus Reviews

PLB 0-06-027617-7 paper 0-06-446722-8 New to the MathStart series is this quick take on sequencing, although almost any story with a beginning, middle, and end would serve as well. A sleepover is the premise; Rabbit invites his friends Mouse, Giraffe, and Elephant to the party. The action is described in a few short rhyming sentences that outline the order of events. Friends are invited inside, a pizza dinner is gobbled up, juice follows dinner, and ice cream sundaes for dessert conclude the meal. At bedtime, the four friends pull on their pajamas and zip themselves into sleeping bags while Rabbit's mother takes a picture. Hand shadows and scary stories come with lights out, until Mouse is heard snoring peacefully. Just when it appears that it may be a stretch to locate the math involved, a final page asks, "What Happened at Rabbit's Pajama Party?" to prompt children to think about what happened first, next, and last. Although Remkiewicz wiggles out of showing "hot fudge" by present a bottle of chocolate syrup instead, no one will question the accuracy of his animals' zeal; they are all smiles, delightfully displaying silly expressions. Characteristically, the final spread offers tips and suggestions for adults who may want to extend the sequencing concept with follow-up activities. (Picture book. 2-4)

School Library Journal

PreS-Gr 1 A group of animals meet at Rabbit's house for dinner and a sleepover. The friends eat pizza, make ice-cream sundaes, get into pajamas, act a little silly, tell scary stories, and go to sleep. This is a very simple approach to the concept of time sequencing. Young children can identify food, clothing, animals, and colors; and there is just enough familiar activity (sharing a meal, getting ready for bed) for them to understand. The colors are bright and appealing, the cartoon artwork is simple and uncluttered, and the print is large and clear for beginning readers. The last two pages provide suggestions "For Adults and Kids" who want to explore the math concept presented here. Susan Lissim, Dwight School, New York City Copyright 1999 Cahners Business Information.