Name of Book: All in a Day
Author: Cynthia Rylant
Publisher: Abrams Books
ISBN: 978-0810983212
Audience: Ages 2-5
Summary: Come and follow a boy through a beautiful summer day as he works in the garden, feeds the animals, plays games, takes a nap, and explores the wilderness. It is a full day and he is living it to its fullest.
Literary elements at work in the story: A simple storyline, gentle, poetic text, limited color palate and bold paper-cut illustrations all add up to give this story an old retro feel. The rhyming poem appears in small bursts on each two-page spread giving it a child like feel.
How do the perspective on gender/race/culture/economics/ability make a difference to the story?: Old-fashioned and quiet, this beautifully illustrated book has universal appeal.
Theology: Psalm 118:24 The narrator in this story knows what the Psalmist is saying. Each day we have is a gift. Some days might bring rain and make our dry laundry wet, but that same rain also gives us puddles for playing in. As the narrator says at the end of the story, “The day’s all yours, it’s waiting now…see what you can do.” Take the days the Lord has given you and rejoice and be glad.
Faith Talk Questions:
- What is something you did today?
- What happened to the little boy that wanted him to start again?
- Have you ever had a day that wish you could start again?
- What makes your day happy?
- Why?
- What is the Psalmist telling us about God?
This review was prepared by regular contributor Janet Lloyd.
