What Happens on Wednesdays

Perfect preschool read about one family's routine.

Author: Emily Jenkins Illustrator: Laura Castillo Pages: 40 Publisher: Farrar Straus & Giroux Published Date: 07/05/2007 Genre: Fiction - Picture Book HC Price: $16 Publisher's Recommended Reading Level: 4-8 Read Aloud: 4 Read Alone: 6

Common Sense Note

Parents need to know that even if they don't live in Brooklyn or have the flexible schedules these parents enjoy, the little girl's confidence in the rhythm of her day will feel familiar.

Families can talk about their own schedules. What happens on their Wednesdays? Or Mondays? Or Saturdays? They could write their own book together and then sit down to color the illustrations.

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Common Sense Review

Reviewed By: Dawn Friedman

One preschooler knows just how her day will go from the time she wakes up until she heads to bed. She details the kinds of things that matter to kids and pass grown-ups by nearly unnoticed from her mom's "sleeper suit" to the pattern on her father's favorite chair. Kids will understand exactly how these little things matter in a big way.

Even though lots of kids reading this won't have the same details (a city park, part-time preschool, and a lack of siblings) they'll be able to identify with the little girl's emphasis on having a predictable day with details she can control. ("I remind Daddy that today is not a kissing day." "I eat my animal crackers first.") With rich, retro illustrations that will remind parents of favorite books from elementary school, this book could quickly become a family favorite.

From The Book

I sit on the counter while Mommy makes coffee. Then she drinks her coffee and I drink my milk and maybe we have some strawberries while we read stories on the couch. When the clock says six, we wake up Daddy. Which can take a long time.