The Day You Begin

The Day You Begin

Written by: Jacqueline Woodson
Illustrated by: Rafael Lopez

Copyright: 2018
Genre: contemporary realistic fiction 
Theme: being yourself
Appropriate for Ages: 5-8 years

Summary:
A little boy and girl are at school and they feel left out and alone because they aren't like everyone else. They were from Venezuela. They are afraid to speak up and tell people about themselves and the things they do. Finally, one day the little girl tells people her name and how she spent her summer. She makes a new friend and realizes she is not alone. 



Illustrations:
The illustrations are very bright and take up both sides of the page. He uses a lot of bright and happy colors throughout the whole book. They give the book a very warm feeling. 

My thoughts: 
I really like this book and what it is teaching. It's a fun book that shows students that everyone comes from a different place, but we need to be accepting of other people and if you are different don't be afraid to tell people about yourself. You just might find someone that's just like you. Children who are afraid to speak up about who they are or feel out of place in the classroom could really connect to this book. It might encourage them to speak up about who they are. 

Awards:
#1 New York Times bestseller 

Links:
Discussion ideas
More about the author

Review: 
It is a very encouraging story. It urges kids to speak up about who they are. This is a great book to use to teach about diversity. It shows kids that not everyone is from the same place and some people might do things a little differently, but that's okay.