Fox, Mem. Tell Me about Your Day Today. Ill. By
Lauren Stringer. New York: Beach Lane Books, 2012. ISBN: 978-1-41699-006-2.
SUMMARY
After his mother says a loving goodnight to her son, the young child settles into a friendly conversation with his stuffed animal friends as they share their adventures of the day with him. Each animal’s story tells “the who, the what, the why, and the way,” and finishes with a satisfactory and pleasing ending. The last story shared, though, joins all of the stories together in a pleasant surprise ending.
After his mother says a loving goodnight to her son, the young child settles into a friendly conversation with his stuffed animal friends as they share their adventures of the day with him. Each animal’s story tells “the who, the what, the why, and the way,” and finishes with a satisfactory and pleasing ending. The last story shared, though, joins all of the stories together in a pleasant surprise ending.
ANALYSIS
Australian author, Mem Fox, joins forces with American illustrator, Lauren Stringer, to produce a soothing bedtime story for children. Blended in pictures and words, Tell Me about Your Day Today reveals a delightful story to share
with young children.
The story’s
opening line, “There was once a boy who loved bedtime,” and its accompanying illustration entice the reader to venture further into the book. As the story continues, the
illustrations and words work together as the boy greets his stuffed
animals who tell him about their day.
Cleverly, Mem Fox stops writing phrases when the animals relate their stories. Instead, she uses quick-sounding words - "the
who, the what, the why, and the way" – to describe Stringer’s illustrations. It is through the colorful and soft acrylic drawings the animals' day unfolds, suggesting the boy is visualizing their day through his memories while pretending they are actually talking to him about their day. The final story ends with the boy telling his bedtime friends about his day, again through a beautiful illustration. A relaxing mood soothes the reader in this pleasant bedtime story that is both
visually and lyrically pleasing.
AWARDS
/ REVIEWS
Publishers Weekly Book Review Stars, July
16, 2012: Cahners
“A lovely, gentle story for bedtime sharing.”
Kirkus Reviews, August 1, 2012
“The succinct, precisely worded text reads
aloud beautifully, while the illustrations create the cozy bedroom and
remembered adventures…” Carolyn Phelan (Booklist,
November 2012)
Mem
Fox is the recipient of many awards in Australia. The following name just a few
related to literature:
The Dromkeen Medal, 1990
Advance Australia Award, 1991
South Australian “SA Great” Award, 2001
CONNECTIONS
The
following website includes audio clips of Mem Fox reading some of her books. It
also includes a helpful lesson on how to be a successful oral reader.
Other books by Mem Fox:
Time
for Bed
Koala
Lou (the site includes an audio clip
of Mem Fox reading the book)
Possum
Magic
PERSONAL
RESPONSE
Tell
Me About Your Day Today is now
officially a part of my growing home-library collection. I highly recommend
this book to parents who enjoy reading bedtime stories and lingering over
illustrations with their children.
Tell Me About Your Day Today. Cover
illustration. Internet on-line. September 8, 2013 from http://www.flr.follett.com/search?SID=9314fb53c738cf3893f93b7a4f06d13f.
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