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Thursday, June 27, 2019

Daniel's Good Day, written and illustrated by Micha Archer. Nancy Paulsen Books, Penguin Random House. 2019. @22.99 ages 3 and up


"He sees Emma heading
to the park with a kite.
"What makes a good day
for you?" Daniel asks. "A
steady wind," says Emma.

"A day in the park with a
bench in the shade," his
neighbors tell him."

Daniel experiences happy times in his neighborhood. Waving from his doorstep at passers-by, readers encounter Daniel at the beginning of this new day. On his journey to his Grandma's house he takes note of the many people, pets, workers and families out doing their jobs and taking their walks. He greets them happily. He often stops to ask those he sees about their day, and what makes them happy.

Each person he encounters is willing to engage and provide an answer. And, each one has a different response. In this way, readers get a different perspective from which to view their day. Once he has arrived at Grandma's, she has a loving answer to his question, engaging in the hug that makes her feel so good. After time spent with his grandmother, they make the return trip to Daniel's home. As they go they see many of those same people Daniel when he set out earlier. They are happy, visiting with their friends and still busy at their jobs. They are all having good days.

That is the report Daniel makes to his mother when he and his grandma arrive back where he started his day. He names all those things that made his day a good one, and shows happiness that all his friends are safe. Will Mom be able to make it even better than good?

The beautifully bright artwork contains all the wonders of a culturally rich and diverse community. The oil and collage images are stunning in design, and ooze details that will attract attention and give readers pause to stop and delight in the visual stories told. Young readers will find joy in telling their own versions.

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