days of the week

Review: Saturday by Oge Mora

| Tasha

Saturday by Oge Mora

Saturday by Oge Mora (9780316431279)

Saturday is Ava’s favorite day. It’s the day of the week that her mother doesn’t have to work and where they spend special time together. On Saturdays, they go to storytime at the library, have their hair done at the salon, and have a picnic in the park. And this Saturday, they were also planning to go to a puppet show that night. So off they set. But when they got to the library, the storytime was cancelled. Leaving the hair salon, their hair got splashed and ruined. The park was too crowded and loud for their regular picnic. Finally, when they got to the show, Ava’s mother had lost the tickets. Their Saturday was ruined! Wasn’t it?

Mora has written a picture book about the joys of busy families spending time together, even if things don’t quite go as planned. Both Ava and her mother are disappointed with each failure of their plans, but they are also resilient and optimistic about things turning around. When it all goes wrong, it is Ava who lifts up her mother’s spirits, explaining that it’s all about spending time together.

In her bright illustrations of an urban setting, Mora captures the hustle and bustle, the hurry to do something special. As a result, she also shows the love of this African-American mother and daughter as they help one another cope with disappointment. The illustrations are bold, colorful and celebratory.

Another winner from a gifted artist and storyteller. Appropriate for ages 2-4.

Reviewed from library copy.

Book Review: Monday Is One Day by Arthur A. Levine

| Tasha

monday is one day

Monday Is One Day by Arthur A. Levine, illustrated by Julian Hector

As families wake up to the new week, the hardest part is being away from each other.  Follow the days of the week here for a celebration of how working families can connect and spend time together throughout the week.  The days continue to move forward from Monday to Tuesday, filled cuddles and puddles.  Then come Wednesday and Thursday with raspberry kisses and dinosaur growls.  Friday’s the last day of the workweek, so help pick out a tie.  Then comes the fun of Saturday and Sunday for families to spend together. 

Levine has written such a simple book that even the youngest of children will be able to relate to it.  The rhymes are easy and feel natural when read aloud.  This book is just what working families need to celebrate their own connections and family relationships. 

The illustrations add diversity and a modern feel to the book.   It is packed full of different types of families, all enjoying connections with their children.  There are families of different colors, gay parents, and grandparents caring for grandchildren.  Happily, nothing is pointed out about the families that are different than the stereotypical norm.  Instead this book just celebrates everyone with ease and style.

The illustrations are done in bright, merry colors with plenty of white space.  They have a gentle, vintage tone to them that works well for this subject matter.  It makes it even more special to have such diverse families depicted in a timeless way.

A positive and welcoming book that will have families rejoicing.  Appropriate for ages 3-5. 

Reviewed from copy received from Scholastic Press.

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