A New Day
Written by Grad Meltzer and illustrated by Dan Santat
In A New Day, Sunday decides to call it quits. She is tired of being the one who gives everyone else a relaxing, free day. She wants to have time to learn Sanskrit or master the sugar arts!
“Everyone gets time for their own fun, or to catch a matinee. But no one says, ‘How’re you?’ or even ‘You okay?’” she says.
After the other days recover from the news, they fly into action, advertising for a New Day to take Sunday’s place.
Tryouts bring all kinds of possibilities . . . Fun Day, Dog Day, Superhero Day and Can-day. Get it? Candy? Well, anyway, a lot of silliness and hilarity ensue in trying to find just the right day to fill the week, until a little girl shows her appreciation for all the days.
Sunday overhears and realizes that every day can be a new day.
G My Name Is Girl
Written and illustrated by Dawn Masi
G My Name Is Girl is a new, female, multicultural twist on the alphabet.
For example, “A, my name is ALBA, and my sister’s name is AYELEN. We come from ARGENTINA, and we are ADVENTUROUS.” (The names, country where the girls reside, and character traits they possess are bolded for each letter in the book.)
B is about girls from Burkina Faso, C showcases girls from Cuba. The alphabet continues from A to Z with the opportunity for children to learn about girls in other countries, names that are common there, and empowering character traits children can emulate wherever they might live.
This is Masi’s first book. She employs rhythmic text and charming illustrations throughout the volume. Those elements, along with a shared color palette, cause the story to flow from page to page.
Something’s Wrong! A Bear, a Hare, and Some Underwear
Written by Jory John and illustrated by Erin Kraan
Jeff the bear is having one of those days! You know the kind. Where you feel like something’s wrong, but you just can’t figure out what it might be . . .
He’s eaten breakfast, bathed, tried on the gift from his grandma and combed his fur, but he feels like he’s forgetting something.
Jeff makes his way through the forest, seeing friends and neighbors and chatting happily even though they look at him oddly.
As the nagging feeling grows, Jeff decides he needs to visit his friend, Anders.
“You know what I need? A friend! Yes. I need a trusted friend who will be honest with me. A friend who will tell me if something is actually wrong.”
And Anders, being a good friend, tells Jeff the truth and then stands by to provide support and encouragement.
Sandy Foster is a writer and blogger (NadinesBakery.com) who lives in the Kansas City area.