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4.59 AVERAGE
4.59 AVERAGE
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
Category: Traditional Fiction
Title: The Day You Begin
Author: Jacqueline Woodson
Illustrator: Rafael López
Date Published: August 28, 2018
Age Appropriateness:
- This story takes on a heavy topic for young students. I would recommend knowing the maturity level of the class you’re reading for before introducing it to your students.
Summary:
- Angelina takes on the struggle of comparison to her classmates. She doesn’t feel good enough or like her life is interesting enough to share what she did over the summer with them. Angelina mentally goes through different scenarios where students often feel hurt– making fun of another student’s different food, being completely shunned by classmates, and being looked down on. Once Angelina realizes that her summer was a good summer for her, she opens up to her classmates, and it ends really beautifully. The author says in the end that “there is no one quite like you until you begin” and I think that was the best way to end Angelina’s journey.
Review:
This story brings up great opportunities to share differences in class, but it is also important to remember not to single out students, make them feel overexposed, or make them feel as if they are representing an entire community/culture on their own. I think before opening up into discussion with students, it would be extremely helpful to get colleagues, friends, and other adults' opinions who you think are wise and could help you better understand how to navigate cultural diversity. The author's quote I shared above is truly such a powerful quote that everyone can learn from. That, until we share with others what truly makes us us, we will never know how we relate to them. It is so beautiful what vulnerability and sharing can do for people. It’s important for kids to remember that although we are so extremely unique, there is a little piece of us we can relate to others with and I think this is an exceptional lesson to help students.
I absolutely loved this book. I have read it out loud to a few different classes (education students in a college setting) and have teared up every time. This story is about courage, determination, and acceptance. I wish I had this for my kids when they were younger, but even as older teens I think they can appreciate the wonderful message of this story.
A book about differences and how to deal with feeling like an outsider. The story is beautiful, the pictures are beautiful. It is short enough and has big colorful pictures so it will work for storytime. It is perfect for a first day of school storytime and can work with older preschoolers and K-1.
This beautiful book centers kids who feel like they are on the margins, whether it’s because of skin color or language or temperament. It talks about sharing your story and listening to others (also a theme in the author’s book for middle graders, Harbor Me). I thought this was beautiful.
This is a beautiful book! Beautiful illustrations and beautiful content. Lopez's illustrations are magical! I've been a fan of Woodson for a while now, and this shows all her sensitivity and her poetic use of language. This is a fantastic book for any kid who feels left out or different (and what kid doesn't??) and for parents trying to help them. Its also great for everyone, to develop empathy for those who may not quite fit in for whatever reason. Highly Recommended!
I love Jacqueline Woodson so very much. What a charming and relatable story about feeling different and alone! It's lovely, and every child will be able to see themselves in it. It's honest yet reassuring. It's like the woman wrote a hug!
And the art? Gorgeous! Cover to cover, <i>The Day You Begin</i> is a feast of colors and images.
Great for ages 5-8
And the art? Gorgeous! Cover to cover, <i>The Day You Begin</i> is a feast of colors and images.
Great for ages 5-8
I can see how this could be reassuring for a child, but what a bummer it is. It almost seemed like it was overwrought with everything that could go wrong. Glad it had a very hopeful note, but it took a long time getting there.
Perhaps the best first day of school book I've read. Hopeful and optimistic. And reveling in diversity in many aspects. With bright beautiful art, not really to my taste as a whole, but amazing in detail. And the choices in the art advance and support the story. Really something.
hopeful
inspiring
A beautifully illustrated resource for inspiring compassion and empathy.