129 reviews for:

Saturday

Oge Mora

4.56 AVERAGE


Beautiful collage picture book about the importance of family time

I love everything about this book - a loving mother who is unable to spend much time with her child and is not judged for it, the modelling of emotional regulation through deep breathing, the depiction of Black hair care, the unwavering love and positivity, and of course the beautiful collage illustrations!
adventurous hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective relaxing fast-paced

Saturday is a profoundly moving celebration of family, resilience, and the beauty found in life’s unexpected moments. This heartfelt story reminds us that even the best-laid plans are subject to change, and in those disruptions, we often discover what truly matters. At its core, this book highlights a mother’s unwavering commitment to creating meaningful experiences with her daughter, despite the exhaustion and demands of her workweek. It is a touching tribute to the sacrifices and quiet strength of parents—especially mothers—who pour themselves into their children while balancing the weight of daily life. 

What makes Saturday even more extraordinary is its ability to capture the delicate balance between disappointment and joy. The mother’s ability to embrace grace, patience, and rest despite setbacks is a powerful lesson in emotional resilience. Through gentle storytelling and moments of tranquility, this book encourages both children and adults to navigate changes with a sense of peace and gratitude.  

And the illustrations—simply breathtaking! The use of acrylic paints and abstract elements infuses each scene with warmth, movement, and a dreamlike quality that perfectly complements the narrative. Oge Mora’s artistic talent is undeniable, and her ability to convey emotion through color and composition elevates the reading experience.  

This is an essential book for parents of young children (ages 3-6), offering a gentle yet profound lesson on the value of relationships, emotional regulation, and finding joy in togetherness. I am eager to explore more of Mora’s work, as her storytelling carries a message that is both timeless and deeply significant.

Deep breathing! Mindfulness for storytime!

EDIT: I've been thinking about this book a lot while sheltering in place. It's about disruption of routine, mindfulness & self-soothing through frustration & disappointment, and making your own fun at home when all of your plans fall apart. It will be the first book I read at storytime when I get back to the library.

Love love love this book. Take a stop ... deep breath in. And out. Is everything really ruined? Probably not. Just adorable.

“Take a deep breath.”
Beautiful illustrations.

I just love this author/illustrator! I love that she takes real world issues/problems and turns them into a beautiful visual story. I can't wait to share this with my students!

Age: Preschool-2nd grade
Emotions: Frustration, flexibility, appreciation
Familiar Experience: Planned activities not going the right way
Family: Mother and daughter

Mom works everyday except Saturday making it the best day of the week for her and her daughter, Ava. When all of their activities start going wrong, both Ava and her mom use deep breathes to keep them moving and to keep their spirits up. When Ava's mom shows true vulnerability and defeat (an experience not often shown in adults in picture books) Ava is there to let her mother know that being together is the most important part. I love this gentle reminder to working parents that may fill their days off with a long list of activities.

An extremely relatable and important book for working moms and dads.

Oge Mora’s collage art is just wonderful. I love looking at all the details on each spread. And on top of that, her stories always get to the heart of things, such as being together with people we care about. Saturday holds a lesson we could all keep in mind— some days it will seem like all your plans have gone down the drain, and yet if you are still able to spend time with your loved ones, the day could never be ruined.

A special book about a special relationship on a special day!