Joe has lost the invitation to the party at Tom’s house, so he and his mom only know the street, not Tom’s address. Joe, who is anxious about attending, walks with his mom down the block, worrying. What if he doesn’t know everyone? What if there are a lot of people? What if he doesn’t like the food? Can she pick him up early? For each concern, his mom has a reassuring response. Meanwhile, they look into the houses, hoping to find where Tom lives. From the outside, each house looks relatively unassuming at first glance, but the scenes inside are increasingly surreal, at least from Joe’s perspective. A blend of muted cartoonlike panels of Joe and his mom walking and talking, and full-page, color–saturated paintings of the houses’ exteriors and interiors further distinguishes between what is real and what Joe imagines, all of which echo his anxiety. There is so much to discover in the details of this picture book and the more readers look the more they will take delight in this masterful and ultimately emotionally reassuring work. (Ages 5–9)

Young worriers will relate to -- and be comforted by -- this tale of a boy's anxiety as he heads to his first big party.

What if Joe doesn't like the party he's going to? What if he doesn't like the food or the games or the people? As Joe and his mom walk down the darkening street, Joe's imagination starts to run wild. And as they search for the right place, he wonders "what if . . ." at each house, peeking in to see some surprising sights. From the award-winning former British Children's Laureate Anthony Browne comes a picture book whose slyly bewitching setup unfolds to a reassuring ending.