The Playdate
For one little girl, the prospect of a playdate at her friend Henry’s house fills her with excitement.
She really likes Henry. He even has a funny dog. And although she and her mother have to take a bus, then the subway, then change to another line, then a bus, and then walk for a while, it’s worth it because Henry’s house has millions of rooms to hide in and hundreds of toys to play with.
But while the text tells one story, the illustrations slowly reveal another. As the kids tear around the house enjoying each other’s company, their moms experience the playdate very differently. Soon we find that the little girl and her friend Henry live lives that are poles apart.
This compelling story encourages readers to question why we live in a society where those who have and those who have not live very different lives.
| Format | Your Price | Add |
|---|---|---|
|
978-1-83629-014-8
On pre-order until 04/08/2025
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$14.24 |
| Interest Level | Preschool - Grade 3 |
|---|---|
| Reading Level | Grade 2 |
| Genre | Picture Books |
| Category | Diverse Books: Social Class, Diversity, SEL: C Social Awareness, SEL: D Relationship Skills, SEL: E Responsible Decision-Making, Social Emotional Learning |
| Copyright | 2025 |
| Publisher | Lantana Publishing |
| Imprint | Lantana Publishing |
| Language | English |
| Number of Pages | 32 |
| Publication Date | 2025-04-08 |
Author: Uje Brandelius
Uje Brandelius worked as a journalist and press secretary in Sweden before becoming the frontman of chart-topping pop band Doktor Kosmos and touring sold-out concert venues for several years. The Playdate is his first picture book.
Illustrator: Clara Dackenberg
Clara Dackenberg is a Swedish illustrator and visual artist. She studied in Gothenburg and Stockholm before debuting as a picture book illustrator. Her work has been chosen for the Contemporary Swedish Illustrators exhibition at the Bologna Children’s Book Fair.
Reviews
Kirkus Reviews
“The story approaches the child’s and mother’s lives with empathy, imbuing both with dignity. . . . A frankly told, child’s-eye view of the intersection of friendship and socioeconomic status.”—Kirkus Reviews