A Day with Nellie

Wake up, Nellie! The fun is about to begin. First, there’s deciding what to wear. Then there’s breakfast with all kinds of shapes and textures and tastes. From indoor play in a made-up train, to a trip to the park and a bedtime cuddle with Daddy, Nellie’s day is full of discoveries.

Marthe Jocelyn’s bright collages incorporate a feast of concepts for small children to explore. With so much to look at and talk about, A Day with Nellie is sure to be a favorite with the very young and with the people who take care of them.

Children's Literature

There are lots of choices for Nellie to make as she begins her busy day. What will she choose to wear—overalls, a dress or a ballerina's tutu? And what will she eat for breakfast—crunchy toast, a squishy egg, or crispy cereal? After breakfast Nellie says hello to her friends and plays indoor games all morning long until, tired, cranky, stubborn, and mad, she takes a nap. Lunch is a picnic complete with 1 cup of lemonade, 2 sandwiches, 3 baby carrots, 4 cookies, 5 cherries and 24 ants marching up the margin of the page. Nellie spends the afternoon outside, swinging and looking at everything far below, playing teacher, and making mud pies. Bath time and supper are followed by a story and a snuggle with Daddy, and then it is time for Nellie to go to bed. The author depicts the everyday activities and objects of a young child's world with colorful paper and fabric collage. Charming friezes of buttons, letters, pasta, and children create fascinating borders along the tops and bottoms of many pages. There is something to learn on every page. Name the foods that Nellie eats or point out the letters of the alphabet while Nellie teaches her animals. Nellie is portrayed in such a way that a child of almost any ethnicity could identify with her, and all young children will delight in being a part of Nellie's busy day. Now available in a board book format. Reviewer: Anita Barnes Lowen

Marthe Jocelyn is a talented author and artist who worked for many years as a toy designer. She has written and illustrated two other picture books using cloth collages, and written four novels for older readers. Marthe Jocelyn lives with her husband and two daughters in New York City and Stratford, Ontario.