Parents' Guide to

What Happens on Wednesdays

By Dawn Friedman, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 4+

Perfect preschool read about one family's routine.

Book Emily Jenkins Picture Book 2007
What Happens on Wednesdays Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this book.

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What's the Story?

A little girl shares the comforting minutiae of her Wednesdays.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say: Not yet rated
Kids say: Not yet rated

With its rich, retro illustrations that will remind parents of favorite books from elementary school, this book could quickly become a family favorite.

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.")

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • 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.

Book Details

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