Young Kirkley Berkley is tired of being left out of her family’s midnight New Year’s Eve celebration, which is way past her bedtime. This year, in Happy Noon Year, she decides to throw her own festivities earlier, announcing, “Who needs midnight when there is a whole other twelve o’clock in the middle of the day?”
Kirkley is a whirlwind of party planning, arming herself with an organized to-do list. She’s all about her outfit, glitter, decorations and food prep, and she makes invitations for her parents, older brother, baby sister and even their dog. “Come one, come all to my special Noon Year’s ball!” she shouts. Unfortunately, Matthew and her parents are occupied with preparing for the midnight celebration, while Hilary and Bojii run out of steam, ready for a nap, as noon approaches.
Numerous young readers will identify with Kirkley’s predicament about feeling left out of New Year’s fun. Julia Pierre Hammond’s text cleverly reinforces these feelings, as Kirkley proclaims, “This year, New Year’s Eve was not just a holiday for grown-ups.” Olivia Duchess’ colorful illustrations convey a sense of bustling family energy, as Kirkley encounters pitfalls to her carefully laid plan. A number of household clocks—a fun element to watch out for—add to the anticipation as the countdown continues, and the illustrations portray a wealth of nooks and crannies that make this household all the more cozy and inviting.
Happily, everyone in the family rallies to celebrate with Kirkley, and many readers may decide to adopt her noon party planning ways. Both Kirkley and her family choose special New Year’s foods, and Hammond provides further explanation of these traditions in an author’s note, along with suggestions for noonday party planning.
Grab your noisemakers and party hats for an ingenious, boisterous alternative celebration in Happy Noon Year.
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