Cassy Polimeni (text) and Hykie Breeze (illustrator), Ella and the Sleepover Safari (Ella and the Frogs #2), UWA Publishing, March 2025, 96 pp., RRP $15.99 (pbk), ISBN 781760803018
Animal-loving Ella is thrilled to celebrate her birthday on a zoo camping sleepover with her two best friends. The combination of a sleepover, camping, and safari promises to be an exciting adventure.
Ella enjoys the guided nocturnal zoo tour and the glamping experience, but the fun is overshadowed by her concerns about navigating the awkward three-way friendship. And then the trio have a frightening experience when they become lost in the middle of the night.
Ella and the Sleepover Safari is the second book in the Ella and the Frogs series about friendship and conservation. Having bridging novel format, it offers a quick and easy read, with many illustrations interspersed throughout the text—perfect for newly independent readers.
This second book is packed with engaging elements, including plot tension, relatable characters, thought-provoking explorations of friendship challenges, and interesting animal facts.
The story is told in Ella’s enthusiastic first-person narrator voice which sounds authentic for a 7- or 8-year-old. The writing flows smoothly, with plenty of natural sounding dialogue which develops characters while keeping the text accessible and engaging.
The characterisation is further developed with black and white pencil drawings depicting facial expressions and body postures of the friends and the safari guides. Some cute drawings of animals with animated faces add a playful touch.
Ella and the Sleepover Safari is an engaging read especially suited for newly independent readers, aged about 5 to 8 years. It explores universal themes of friendship, growing up and becoming more independent. The zoo context is of specific interest for young animal enthusiasts. There are teaching notes available on the publisher’s website.
Reviewed by Barbara Swartz
