Destiny Ink: Sleepover Surprise

Destiny has been invited to a sleepover at her friend’s house and she is super excited! She will get to sleep in a tent, tell bedtime stories and toast delicious marshmallows! But even with all this to look forward to, she can’t help feeling nervous - what if there are monsters hiding in the dark? 

When Destiny encounters a very unexpected guest in her room, a three-eyed monster called Trog, she quickly discovers that monsters are not as scary as she had imagined. In fact, Trog is just as nervous about sleepovers as she is.

Along with Destiny’s adorable hamster Fuzzy, the unlikely pair have their own sleepover, filled with games, stories and midnight feasts! After all the fun, Destiny doesn’t feel anxious about staying over at her friend’s house anymore. 

This is a warm and reassuring chapter book about friendship, anxiety and coping with new experiences. Destiny is an instantly relatable character, and her first-person child-voice is well written and believable. While Trog the monster is a fantastical element, this book represents everyday life extremely well.

It promotes positive friendships, familial relationships and attitudes without being condescending. Sokunbi’s illustrations add energy and creativity, and her humorous writing makes this an engaging choice for readers exploring early chapter books.