Daniel’s Good Day

by Micha Archer; illus. by the author

Preschool    Paulsen/Penguin    32 pp.    g

5/19    978-0-399-54672-3    $16.99

“What makes a good day for you?” As young Daniel (of Daniel Finds a Poem) walks through his busy city neighborhood (where he “knows many people”) to spend the day with his grandmother, he asks that question of everyone he meets along the way. Neighbor Emma hopes for “a steady wind” for her kite; the mail carrier points to a dog and says “wagging tails”; the nanny caring for twin infants wants “a long nap for the babies.” Archer’s detailed collage illustrations, with their vivid colors and depth, draw readers into the vibrant scenes. As Daniel retraces his steps while walking home in the afternoon with Grandma, it seems that everyone in the neighborhood has had a good day — including Daniel. The sense of community is palpable and uplifting; Daniel is an enviably independent and cheerful child; and the portrait of his close-knit brown-skinned family is positive and welcome.

From the July/August 2019 issue of The Horn Book Magazine.