Our Favorite Day of the Year
by A E Ali (Author) Rahele Jomepour Bell (Illustrator)
Musa's feeling nervous about his first day of school. He's not used to being away from home and he doesn't know any of the other kids in his class. And when he meets classmates Moisés, Mo, and Kevin, Musa isn't sure they'll have much in common. But over the course of the year, the four boys learn more about each other, the holidays they celebrate, their favorite foods, and what they like about school. The more they share with each other, the closer they become, until Musa can't imagine any better friends.
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PreS-Gr 4—On the first day of kindergarten, Musa is surprised to hear from his new teacher that he will become good friends with the children in his class. She knows what she's talking about, structuring her classroom to embrace the differences among all students. One way the children become closer is by sharing their favorite day of the year. Each child believes his or her favorite day is the most special, but everyone is willing to learn about another culture, the associated foods, and the special traditions—all while sharing in the joy their classmate feels for the day. Musa explains why his favorite day is the Muslim holiday of Eid Mubarak, while Mo shares why he loves Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year. Moises celebrates the nine days of Las Posadas for his Christmas tradition, while Kevin talks about his family's love of science and their celebration of Pi Day, when his family learns about scientists and their discoveries. The celebrations profiled in the book are less about religion than family traditions and connections, and the year concludes with the teacher showcasing all these favorite days in calendars she passes out to the class. Colorful, charming illustrations show a diverse classroom where learning is thoughtful but also energetic and filled with music, dancing, and eating. VERDICT A comforting story that will help build bridges among children of different backgrounds and faiths. —Sally James, South Hillsborough Elementary School, Hillsborough, CA
Copyright 2020 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.Publishers Weekly
This tranquil tale opens on kindergarten's initial day, as Ms. Gupta tells her richly inclusive class that the first day of school is her favorite day of the year, and that each student will have a chance to share their favorite day at show-and-tell. When it's Musa's turn, he and his mother bring in food and decorations to commemorate Eid al-Fitr. His tablemates--with whom he forges a bond despite initial skepticism ("They were total strangers")--in turn introduce their beloved annual observances, which include Rosh Hashanah, Las Posadas, and (in a nod to math and science aficionados) Pi Day. The highlight of this earnest celebration--of festivities, varied family configurations, and friendship--is Bell's art, created using digital brushes and scanned, hand-painted textures, which feature intricate patterns and endearing portraits of the students. Ages 4-8. (June)
Copyright 2020 Publishers Weekly, LLC Used with permission.Review quotes
JUV005000 - Juvenile Fiction | Boys & Men
JUV074000 - Juvenile Fiction | Diversity & Multicultural
Picture books
Fasts and feasts
Kindergarten
