Parents' Guide to

A Weekend With Wendell

By Sally Snyder, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 4+

Clever writing keeps this humorous tale on target.

Book Kevin Henkes Friendship 1986
A Weekend With Wendell Poster Image

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What's the Story?

Three days of her cousin Wendell? How can Sophie endure it? Wendell is thoughtless, rude, and selfish. He scares her from the closet and pinches her under the breakfast table, while Sophie does her best to be polite to him. Humorous illustrations, on-target story, and clever writing make for a delightful read.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say: Not yet rated
Kids say: Not yet rated

Kevin Henkes excels in presenting common childhood issues within a humorous, intelligent story. Wendell behaves as a typical 5- or 6-year-old child would like to act. He does everything he wishes, with little consideration for others. And, of course, children know who's right and who's wrong. They naturally empathize with polite Sophie and see the error of Wendell's ways. One 7-year-old said Wendell "was not being very nice. He was treating Sophie as if she wasn't important, and all people are important."

The bright, cheerful watercolor-and-ink illustrations capture the characters' emotions, and the illustrations often add extra humor. On one page, the text reads, "Sophie helped Wendell carry his sleeping bag and suitcase upstairs," and the accompanying illustration shows a boisterous Wendell zipping up the stairs empty-handed, while Sophie struggles to carry both the suitcase and the sleeping bag.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about Wendell's behavior, and parents can reinforce that it's generally rude. Do you think Sophie does the right thing when she tries to turn the tables? If you were in Sophie's position, how would you respond to a houseguest who hassled you? Why do you think Wendell behaves the way he does? What do you think his parents are like when it comes to disciplining him?

Book Details

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