Every Friday

From the Publisher

“This is an excellent book for a parent and child to share, and perhaps some families will begin weekly traditions of their own.”—School Library Journal “It’s the closeness between father and son, though, that will speak most to kids, and Yaccarino’s clean lines, saturated colors, and very simple words distill the story’s emotions into clear, understated sweetness that’s not too sugary.”—Booklist, Starred Review Amazon Top Ten Picture Books 2007
The New York Times Best Illustrated Books for 2007
Los Angeles Times Best Children’s Books List 2007
San Francisco Chronicle Children’s Book of the Year 2007

Publishers Weekly

Young children who share a dependable ritual with someone special can recognize themselves in this account of a father and son's weekly breakfast out. The elementary school–age son describes their routine, which begins before school or work (implied by the boy's book and the father's briefcase). Yaccarino's (The Birthday Fish) gouaches present an orderly city of brownstones and highrises, in all kinds of weather. On the sidewalk, the boy and his dad tip their hats to a street sweeper and a uniformed doorman. The father coaxes the boy not to linger at a toy store window, and the boy returns the favor when his dad gapes at a sports shop. They arrive at a bustling diner, where a friendly waitress predicts their order and later calls, "See you next Friday!" Yaccarino favors late-1950s visuals. Nary a wheeled sneaker, video game or headphone detracts from parent-child closeness. The dad's gray fedora and checked blue tweed suit, and the boy's prim zip-up jacket and dress shoes, imply the era of Leave It to Beaver, while urging 21st-century readers to carve out space for togetherness. "Everyone is rushing, but we're taking our time," the narrator says as a full bus rolls past. In an author's note, Yaccarino explains that he and his young son set aside time each Friday, "our favorite day of the week," and prompts readers to "start a little tradition like ours." This amiable chronicle shows a cozy plan tailored to urban life, yet suggests the rewards are transferable anywhere. Ages 3-7. (May)

Copyright 2007 Reed Business Information

Children's Literature - Sharon Salluzzo

Every Friday morning, whatever the weather, a little boy and his father walk to the local diner for breakfast, making Friday the little boy's favorite day. From the point of view of the little boy, the reader discovers what is wonderful and consistent. "Everyone is rushing but we're taking our time." When the little boy dawdles, father is seen pulling him gently along. They watch the construction of a new multi-story building as it goes up "bit by bit." They talk about "all sorts of things." There is a great deal of warmth, charm, and appeal in the retro 1950s look of the illustrations. The tone in both the text and illustrations is contagiously upbeat. One line of text per double-page spread makes this very accessible to three-year-olds. With mother and baby left at home, this is clearly a book of a special time between father and son. Librarians will want to keep a copy on the story time shelf and bring it out for several different themes, such as Father's Day, city living, and mornings. This is pure delight.

School Library Journal

PreS-Gr 1
A young boy and his father have a weekly date for breakfast at a nearby diner, and the walk there is half the fun. As they pass through their urban neighborhood, they count dogs, wave to the man in the newspaper stall, and watch the slow construction of a new building. Upon their arrival at the restaurant, they greet their favorite waitress by name, and she knows to bring out pancakes right away. The story is simple but sweet, and the child's excitement about the time spent with his dad is obvious throughout. Painted in gouache, the illustrations of the cars and characters' clothing and hairstyles give the book a '50s look, as do small touches such as milk bottles in front of the door. Yaccarino uses a warm palette to create rudimentary buildings and simple, friendly faces. This is an excellent book for a parent and child to share, and perhaps some families will begin weekly traditions of their own.
—Daisy PorterCopyright 2006 Reed Business Information.

Kirkus Reviews

It doesn't take expensive gifts and grand gestures to create memorable moments-just a little time. This sweet tribute to the unparalleled connection between parent and child could possibly herald the birth of important traditions in families far and wide. "Friday is my favorite day," smiles a boy as he and his father begin their weekly journey. Whatever the weather, every Friday they walk through the city. They see shops open and construction advancing. They see friendly faces, greet passersby and count dogs. The city bustles along as they approach their final destination. At last they enter the diner where, over breakfast, they talk about all sorts of things. It would add depth to read what some of these talks are about, but the text is spare, leaving plenty of opportunity for readers to invent their own topics of conversation on their special times. The splendid retro art depicts a stylized city inhabited by all manner of folks. The colors are invented hues of original colors in a city so friendly as to be nostalgic. (Picture book. 2-6)