Ira Sleeps Over

Ira

by Bernard Waber

From the beloved author-illustrator of Lyle, Lyle Crocodile comes a charming and relatable picture book about a child's first sleepover experience.

Ira is thrilled about his first sleepover at his friend Reggie's house, until his sister makes him question taking his favorite teddy bear! Will Reggie laugh at his teddy bear? Can Ira sleep without it? A hilarious back-and-forth ensues in this classic picture book about staying true to yourself. A perfect read-aloud for every young reader with their own bedtime friends.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Friendship, Fiction, Realistic Fiction, Family, Classics

48 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1972

About the author

Bernard Waber was the youngest in a creative family. At age 8, he ushered in a movie theater after school, so he often saw only the last ten minutes of a movie. He made a game of inventing beginnings and middles. When he returned from a tour of duty in World War II, he entered the Philadelphia College of Art. With a diploma and a new wife, he traveled to New York City, where he began working for the Condé Nast magazines as an illustrator. Reading books to his three children inspired him to apply his pen and ink and watercolor style to his own picture books. His first book, Lorenzo, was built in 1961. Today, his characters are some of the most beloved in the library. He and his wife, Ethel, live on Long Island.

Reviews

[Zoë]

This was sweet as heck. Now where'd I put my old teddy bear?
[Book #10 for my grad school Children's Lit class]

[Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved, loved, LOVED, this book as a kid! I recently found a copy at a library sale and read it again and, guess what? I still love, love, LOVE it! Even now my mom could recite the book almost word for word, which I think proves how much it was requested when I was growing up.

Ira has been invited over to his best friend Reggie's house for a sleep over. Ira's first ever!
Everything is great until Ira's sister asks him if he's going to take his teddy. Ira says that of course he's not taking his teddy! But, his sister points out that "You've never slept without your teddy bear before. How will you feel sleeping without your teddy bear for the very first time? Hmmmmmm?"
Ira decides to take his teddy.

But Ira's sister says...
Won't Reggie laugh?
"He won't laugh" says Ira's mother.
"He won't laugh" says Ira's father.
"He'll laugh" says Ira's sister.
Ira decides NOT to take his teddy.

Ira spends a day with Reggie in which they discuss all the fun things they are going to do at the sleep over. And when Reggie mentions telling ghost stories, Ira happens to ask what Reggie thinks of teddy bears. But Reggie just keeps on talking about his plans for the night...


I cannot explain all of the beautiful, sweet, clever and hilarious ins and outs of this book without giving too many delightful surprises away. Albeit to say that I think Waber has a wonderful grasp of children's emotions and I love that this book doesn't talk down to kids or make their fears seem unimportant, and I love the train of thought that he weaves for the children. So brilliant!

The illustrations, too, are so incredibly memorable! With every page I turned it was like of flood of childhood and all the emotions and thoughts that accompanied each image.

I really cannot recommend this book enough. Please try to find yourself a copy - even if you don't have kids, we were all kids once and I think there's something in here that nearly all of us can relate to.

[Lisa Vegan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story and its pictures work in wonderful concert together. I loved them both. This book is utterly charming, funny, and sweet. It really gets parent-child, sibling, and child friendship relationships. It’s just adorable. And I think it’s wonderful to read one to one or to groups, for independent readers too, just for fun or when there is any issue of peer pressure, and it’s an ideal book to read before a first or any fraught with anxiety sleepover. It’s also a wonderful book for fans of teddy bears, and I know quite a few children and adults who qualify here. I also appreciate that the two main child characters are boys. I read less about sleepovers for boys than ones for girls. 4 ½ stars

[Abigail · Rating 3 out of 5]

Excited at the prospect of his very first sleepover, at the home of his best friend Reggie, Ira is brought up short when his older sister asks whether he will be bringing Tah Tah - his beloved teddy bear - along. Convinced by her sly questioning, and outright hints, that Reggie will think he is a baby for doing any such a thing, Ira leaves Tah Tah at home, only to make a surprising discovery during the course of a bedtime ghost-story recitation.

Waber has his finger on the pre-school pulse here, perfectly capturing the embarrassment a young boy might feel, at his attachment to his teddy bear, as well as the taunting to which siblings often subject one another. The illustrations have a distinctive vintage sensibility, with that "hastily sketched" feeling (I'm sure they were anything but) - all black outlines, filled in with color - that I associate with the 1970s. Ira Sleeps Over is definitely a classic for this age group, and one I'm glad to have read! Now I need to find some of Waber's Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile books...

[Kelly Kosinski · Rating 5 out of 5]

My children liked this book so much!

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I remember my grandmother reading Ira Sleeps Over to me as a child and I wanted to read it again because I had honestly forgotten what it was about. After reading this book again today I remember why she liked it so much. Although this book seems just a little outdated by today’s standards, it’s still a fun story with a cute message. I think this book would be appropriate to read to any child who may be nervous about attending their first sleepover. I think a lot of children reach a point in mid-elementary school where they start to feel self-conscious and embarrassed about things that they didn’t as younger children. This book is one of the few that I’ve read that has addressed this issue and made it seem like a normal thing to want to cling to items from childhood. Another thing I like about this book is the illustrations. I like the simplistic pops of water color and black lines used because I have never really seen anything that looks exactly like it in illustration before. One of my favorite pages is the one where Reggie and Ira are playing with Reggie’s various different collections, and the entire page is covered with realistic office stamps and labels. Overall I think this book is extremely relatable to mid-elementary school students who are beginning to have sleepovers of their own and experiencing the very beginnings of growing up. I think one of the main themes of this book that should be taken away is that you should never grow up too fast or be worried about being “cool” before your time. Childhood is a short time during a lifetime that should be treasured and celebrated, and there is only a short time in life that a person can get away with sleeping with a teddy bear very easily! This book is a true classic and can be enjoyed by a wide range of audiences.

[Shiloah · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a precious story. This is a book that loves children. The teddy bears and that they collect random junk is so typical of children.

[Phoebe · Rating 5 out of 5]

hits ya with some BIG boys-can-express-their-feelings energy and we love to see it

[Lesr · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorite kid books.

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

My daughter and I read this book last night (we've read it a few times before, too), and I read it years ago as an older child. My parents actually gave the book to my brother when he turned three, and there, inside the front cover, is a very sweet inscription. This book is about -- among other things -- the teasing that big sisters can inflict on little brothers (which neither I nor my brother know anything about), and the struggles between growing up and holding on to childhood comforts. As an adult, I get a kick out of the illustrations that I didn't get as a kid. The author/illustrator paints a lovely subtle picture of Ira's parents as "bobos" (bourgeois bohemians), a status to which I myself aspire. I think I've got more of a shot at that than at "intelligentsia."

[Ashley Lester · Rating 5 out of 5]

Text to Self

There have been several times in my life when I was embarrassed and felt as though I didn't fit in. This story reminds me so much of myself when I was a little girl. Ira who's going to a sleepover wants to take his teddy bear to a sleep over but, doesn't know what the other kids will think of him. As a little girl, I was always judged for being dark skinned and didn't quite understand why people judged others for many things. This is a great book to use as a teaching tool for both teachers and parents to give a lesson about being a leader, accepting who you are (being self), and what you like. I'm happy that most public school systems have implemented the SEL learning curriculum because this book and many others are books that can introduce topics as such.

[babyhippoface · Rating 4 out of 5]

On a whim, I pulled this book off the shelf to read to 2nd grade. I hadn't read it in years and years, and I'm not even sure why it came to mind, but I am happy to say that I was surprised at how much the kids enjoyed it. They paid close attention, got a little exasperated at the way Ira kept changing his mind about taking his teddy bear to Reggie's house (I kept hearing little sighs and comments like, "Just take it!"), and openly shared about the stuffed animal(s) they sleep with. I had a lot of fun reading this to the kids, and I'm so glad I pulled it off the shelf.

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an older book (written the year I was born) about a boy who goes to his first sleepover but is worried his friend will make fun of him if he takes his teddy bear.

[Blythe · Rating 4 out of 5]

We really enjoyed this story. It was so real and relatable, and the relationships and little-kid worries were on point. Definitely one we’ll revisit.

[Devin Wallace · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a good book to talk about fears. Ira is going to spend the night for the first time but doesn't want to bring his teddy bear. Ira thinks he will be made fun of, but when he spends the night and his friend pulls out his teddy bear Ira goes back home to get his as well.

[Katharine · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Ira Sleeps Over" is a cute book about a little boy who is excited to sleep over at his friend, Reggie's, house for the very first time. His only problem is, he's not sure if he should bring his teddy bear because he doesn't know how Reggie will feel about it. His sister of course is being hard on him and saying that Reggie will make fun and call him a baby, while his parents are saying the opposite. In the end, Ira goes over without his bear, but later after telling scary stories Reggie gets out his own teddy bear. Realizing that Reggie has his own bear and won't make fun of him, Ira goes home and gets his bear after all, then returns and falls asleep. It's a good book to show that you shouldn't be afraid to show who you are and what you need with you at times.

LE:
In small groups, the children will be asked if they have every been on a sleep over or would they ever want to go on one. Then, with the teacher taking notes on the board, children will be asked to explain what they would want/need to take with them in order to fall asleep comfortably. See if any students have similar items they sleep with.

[Suhad Albaat · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ira Sleeps Over is an amazing book to read to younger kids. This book can be very relatable to many young ones experiencing their first sleepover. Some students have a certain pillow or blanket they take to sleepovers but Ira had a teddy bear, and was scared to Bring it to Reggies sleepover because Ira's older sister told Ira that Reggie will make fun of him. Reading this book to young kids would teach them to face their fear, especially for a problem so small like that. Ira did not take his teddy bear to Reggies, but once Reggie grabbed his teddy bear, Ira was shocked that he had one, so he went to go and get his. This book should teach kids that it does not matter what anybody else thinks because you never know they might shock you and have the same problem but are not afraid to show it.

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

Big sisters or brothers have that annoying habit of pointing out all the babyish traits you still have. Their taunts still ring in our ears. Ira has an exciting sleepover planned at his friend Reggie's house. There's just one problem. Should be bring his teddy bear (named Tah Tah)? Reggie is much too grown up to have a teddy bear he must sleep with, right? Filled with suspense and the promise of scary ghost stories and brand new experiences, Ira realizes he really cannot sleep without his 'friend' and has to go back to his house at the last minute. Of course, this is the kind of story where you realize that you're not the only one with problems. We are good at hiding our insecurities, but perhaps it is best to share these and recognize we're really all the same.

[Dolly · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great story to prepare youngsters for their first sleepover. Although our girls are still too young for it, I like that Ira's first sleepover is just next door, so he is able to go home if need arises. I also like the sibling angst between Ira and his sister; it provides a good opportunity to start a conversation about peer pressure and bossy older siblings. Overall, it's a great story to read aloud to children, especially at bedtime.

[Luann · Rating 4 out of 5]

A perfect read-aloud that will be completely understood by every child who has ever slept over at a friend's house. I love the family interactions shown here. Poor Ira has quite the sister! In the beginning, I didn't like the illustrations, but as I continued reading, I felt that they fit really well with the story. I love how Ira's friend Reggie refuses to talk about teddy bears - until he absolutely has to!

[Katie Fitzgerald · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was both fascinated with and terrified of sleepovers as a kid, and this book dealt with one of the things I feared - that bringing a stuffed animal to a slumber party would be a major embarrassment. The twist at the end makes me smile every time, and Ira's sister is the perfect antagonist. I love to read this one out loud, just so I can do her voice.

Read at Pajama Story Time on 6/13/12: http://storytimesecrets.blogspot.com/...

[Molly Higgins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great for children who are starting to go to a friends house to sleep over. Getting kids to talk about whether or not they have had a sleep over or not. Having an activity in class after reading the book about what each person likes and drawing what their room looks like. The illustrations are large and colorful that draw the readers eye to them.

[Kaylie Faucette · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book deals with the real problems of big sisters and bringing a teddy bear to a sleep over. It is so cute and funny and will make you laugh out loud. Students will be engaged while reading or listening to this book.

[Laura Giessler · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the very, very best

[*The Angry Reader* · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was kinda cute. But old fashioned theme.

[Kari Doering · Rating 5 out of 5]

This books main characters are Ira, her parents and her sister. The story was based on Ira and if she should take her teddy bare to her sleep over or not. The story begins with Ira being very excited to to be invited to Reggie's house for a sleep over. As the story continues Reggie and Ira have a conversation about how much fun they are going to have but Ira just keeps asking what do you think about teddy bears? Reggie would never respond. When it was time for her to go to the sleepover Ira decided she was not going to take her teddy bear. When Ira got there her and Reggie with everything they talked about doing. When it was time to turn the lights Reggie started to tell ghost stories and next thing you know Reggie was going to get something out of his dresser. Even though it was dark I could see something like it had furry arms and next thing you know it was Reggies teddy bear. Ira asked him what his name was and he told her and next thing you know she was running home to get hers. By the time she got back Reggie was fast to sleep.
This book had jacket flaps where the front cover told briefly about the story and the back talked about Bernard Weber and the other books he has written. This book contains a double page space throughout the book. This book contains a text box where you will find the text on both top above the pictures and below the pictures. The colors in the book are bright with lines being thin and the pictures were drawn with a pen.

[Jaime King · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was interesting in many different ways. One of the things that stick out to me was that you are never too old to sleep with a teddy bear and if someone makes fun of you for it, they aren’t very nice. Another thing that I enjoyed about this book is that I think it is important to be true to yourself and to not let anyone peer pressure you into doing something. This is important for younger kids to understand that. If you sleep with a teddy bear, then go ahead and sleep with a teddy bear. If you like to do a certain thing, or if you like a certain thing then go ahead and do it! Be true to yourself and don’t change for anyone because your area afraid that someone will make fun of you. Ira’s sister was peer pressuring him to make him leave his teddy bear at home, which is not okay in any sense. If Ira felt comfortable taking his teddy bear to Reggie’s house, then he most certainly can. I also really enjoyed the aspect of this book that children can still be afraid of things, no matter what it may be. Everyone has a fear and we should never make fun of someone for what they are afraid of. Lastly, the illustrations in this book are so different than anything I have ever seen. There is so much happening In one page with so much detail, all the way down to the fishes sitting in a bowl. The color choice of mainly green is the reason I wanted to keep reading.

[Ciana Froemming]

In Ira Sleeps Over by Bernard Waber, Ira is excited to spend the night at his friend, Reggie’s house. The issue is that he isn’t sure if he should bring his teddy bear because he is scared of what Reggie may think. He went back and forth debating what to do, but ultimately, he decided not to bring it. He had a lot of fun with Reggie, but once bedtime rolled around Reggie wanted to tell ghost stories, but first he grabbed his own teddy bear. Since Ira lived next door, he ran home and grabbed his teddy bear. He realized that he shouldn’t have been embarrassed and was proud of his teddy bear. I liked this book because I think many young kids can relate to this. No one wants to embarrass themselves, but they also want to bring something that they find comfort in, especially when you don’t have sleepovers often. It is definitely a feel-good story. I would recommend this book to any child that is starting to have sleepovers or is embarrassed that they sleep with stuffed animals or a specific blanket every night. It is important for them to understand that this is normal and to be proud of it, they aren’t the only ones that sleep with something special. There were no diverse characters in this book.

[Edward Sojuwa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bernard Waber, Creator of Lyle the Crocodile, here gives us the first of the only two books he would write about Ira, a small boy with a lot of insecurities, and a lot of ideas he comes up with on his own to conquer them. Ira is invited to a sleepover at the house of a friend, and it's Ira's first step to Independence as a person. Except Ira is uneasy with leaving his teddy bear at home, unless his friend accepts him, bear and all, without teasing or otherwise judging him too harshly. His teddy is named Ta Ta, go figure, but wait till his new best friend shows how he himself needs his own teddy, and he's even less easy with comments about his Teddy Foo Foo, than Ira with his Ta Ta! It's self psychology as a way of dealing with fears that makes Ira shine as a character. And why, with the passing of Bernard Waber as a beloved kid's author, we need this kind of story more than ever. Waber's death is a big hole in the universe, and that hole has yet to be healed. Let's start with a classic like the Ira stories, and Lyle the Crocodile (of course), and let the healing begin from there.
Four stars
IRAcommend this to kids. Kids always rock.

[Matthew · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm sure I saw this book being read to me on an episode of Reading Rainbow, but I couldn't swear to it. But I will say this, it's still a really good read. Ira Sleeps Over (1972), written and illustrated by Bernard Waber in my opinion still holds up really well after all these years.

Ira is going to their first sleepover at their friend Reggie's house who lives next door. Ira is excited, that is until their mean big sister questions Ira on whether or not they're going to bring along their teddy bear to sleep with. Ira hasn't thought about it but decides to bring their teddy bear along. Should they or shouldn't they? That is the question.

In the end, this book has some really terrific lessons to be learned in it. For instance, you shouldn't listen to others so much, and it touches on the fact that other people, not just you, might share similar coping mechanisms when dealing with fears, as Ira find out for themself. There's also a good amount of humor and Waber does a fantastic job with his illustrations to make this one of the truly must-read children's picture books that I really enjoyed. My rating - 5/5