An Ordinary Day

Profound in the way it underscores how "life-changing" events are happening all the time--even as regular life continues--this book is especially effective at communicating big, difficult concepts to children in terms they will understand, despite--or, perhaps, because of--being quiet and understated. Many will be moved by the artful book design and a thoughtfully simple text that delineate an extraordinary ordinary day.

On a city street one day, everything appears normal to children playing. But two houses are "unusually" quiet. In one, an old dog is drawing its last breaths; its family, two women and three children, gathers around sorrowfully. Next door, a father, pregnant mother, and small child gather expectantly, waiting for new life to arrive. Arnold (What Riley Wore) underscores the circumstances' parallels: a doctor arrives and examines the dog; a visitor arrives and tends to the pregnant woman. As soft music plays in each house, both professionals say the same thing: "She is ready." Birth and death occur all the time, all around us, Arnold notes, "like all days, / and all neighborhoods, / everywhere." Figures drawn by Vukovic´ (the Jasmine Toguchi series) have crisp, silhouette-like contours that contrast against airy, almost weightless washes. With enormous sensitivity, the creators weave together beginnings, endings, joy and sadness, and a metaphysical sense of the universe's continuity. Ages up to 8. Author's agent: Rubin Pfeffer, Rubin Pfeffer Content. Illustrator's agent: Justin Rucker, Shannon Assoc. (Mar.)

Copyright 2019 Publishers Weekly, LLC Used with permission.

PreS-K--An ordinary day is filled with extraordinary events. On an ordinary street, two unassuming houses are each expecting a visitor. Soon, two cars pull up and a man and woman step out. They both have stethoscopes around their necks and carry a small bag. They each softly knock on doors and are let inside. In the house on the left, a family is saying goodbye to a beloved pet. In the house on the right, a family is welcoming a new child. Outside on the street, life continues. There is little to suggest that momentous things are taking place inside. Arnold's gentle, poetic text highlights the remarkably similar rhythms that grief and happiness bring, while Vukovic's illustrations reinforce this with delicate and often symmetrical mixed-media illustrations. One of the families is multiracial, the other family has dark skin and the father wears a cochlear implant. Cool and warm watercolor washes fill the pages as the story shifts perspective back and forth between the two scenes. On some pages, the soft, calm images seem to float above the bright white background. As the story ends, the text returns to the refrain, "It was an ordinary day in the neighborhood...Like all days, and all neighborhoods, everywhere." VERDICT Emotionally affecting and beautifully told, this book deserves a place on most library shelves.--Laken Hottle, Providence Community Library

Copyright 2020 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.