Hi, Everyone!
Guess what?
It’s the first Perfect Picture Book Friday of 2024!
Ok. If you want to get persnickety about it, last week contained the first Friday of 2024, but there’s no need for nit-picking 😊 I still had family around so, given that I am technically in charge around here, I made the executive decision this week would do just as well!
And TODAY I have a beautiful book for you! (See what I did there?😊)
Title: Today
Written By: Gabi Snyder
Illustrated By: Stephanie Graegin
Publisher: Simon & Schuster/Paula Wiseman Books (January 30, 2024), fiction
Suitable For Ages: 4-8
Themes/Topics: time, waiting, being present, anticipation
Opening:
“Today stretches long . . .
when you’re counting weeks to summer,
counting days to your trip,
counting hours until you see Pop-pop and your cousins again.
The clock tick-
tock-
ticks.”
text copyright Gabi Snyder 2024, illustration copyright Stephanie Graegin 2024, S&S/Paula Wiseman Books
Brief Synopsis: [From the book jacket] “Sometimes today stretches way too loooong. Sometimes today passes in a too-fast flash. But a favorite today can last. It’s up to you to freeze the now and keep it – in your mind, in your heart, always.”
text copyright Gabi Snyder 2024, illustration copyright Stephanie Graegin 2024, S&S/Paula Wiseman Books
Links To Resources: the back of the book includes several mindfulness activities; Mindfulness Activities for Preschoolers; save favorite things in a shadow box; memory-keeping ideas for kids
text copyright Gabi Snyder 2024, illustration copyright Stephanie Graegin 2024, S&S/Paula Wiseman Books
Why I Like This Book: As adults, we all know how time can telescope and expand. We’re familiar with the concept that time flies when you’re having fun and drags when you’re doing something you don’t like, or being forced to wait for something exciting. It’s so hard to wait for things you want, so sad when they’re over. This lovely and accessible book helps young readers see that their feelings about time are extremely common – everyone feels this way! – and helps them learn that every day can be full of joy and surprises even when you’re waiting, even when something you’ve looked forward to is over, even when not-so-nice things happen. It’s all about being in the moment, finding the good in what’s happening now, and holding tight to moments that have been especially meaningful. The pencil and watercolor illustrations are sweet and appealing, filled with delightful details, and just right for the story.
text copyright Gabi Snyder 2024, illustration copyright Stephanie Graegin 2024, S&S/Paula Wiseman Books
I hope you enjoy it as much as I do 😊
Also, we are lucky enough to have a copy of this lovely book to give away, so please leave a comment below by Thursday January 18th at 5PM Eastern to qualify for the random drawing! (US addresses only, please.)
For the complete list of books with resources, please visit Perfect Picture Books.
PPBF folks, please add your titles and post-specific blog links (and any other info you feel like filling out 😊) to the form below so we can all come see what fabulous picture books you’ve chosen to share this week!
Enjoy the long weekend, everyone and have a wonderful one! 😊
Susanna Leonard Hill 
What a beautiful book, dear Susanna! it’s going to be a wonderful year for picture books!
Susanna this is a gorgeous book. I can see why you wanted to share TODAY. I’m looking forward to seeing the rest of it. Thanks.
This looks like a fabulous book!
Looks like an excellent way to remember the good times even though you aren’t there.
Oh my – this book sings! And the art could not be more perfect. Well done!
I love the concept of this book. It’s a universal theme explained in such a kid-friendly way. Beautiful illustrations, too! Thank you for sharing it with us!
This book sounds and looks lovely! Thank you for sharing it!
Gabi Snyder does it again! So great at distilling the concept down into feelings for children to grasp hold of. Thanks for spotlighting this PB!
What a lovely book Gabi! Looks like you delivered the tricky concepts of time and waiting and mindfulness up in a book and took it to the beach.
The lyrical words and beautiful illustrations just meld together seamlessly 🙂
Beautifully matched words and illustrations! A lovely book to teach a concept we all need to learn.
Thanks for this lovely review of TODAY, Susanna!
What a sweet book! Reminds me of trips to visit cousins, or going to the Grand Canyon. Definitely a Perfect picture book!
Oh, I love this! Thank you for sharing. As a grown up it’s hard enough to live in the moment – I love that there’s a read to help kids with these emotions!
This looks magical! I already love the look and feel of it! Thanks for sharing with us!
This is a lovely book for living in the moment and treasuring our memories. Love it! Hope to win it!
Such a lovely book! The message is one we can all relate to. I know it is going to be a favorite among picture book lovers!
This book looks lovely, and I’m looking forward to reading it with my little ones. Thanks for the post!
This book is gorgeous and has a universal message. I can’t wait to read it.
This book looks so lovely. Can’t wait to read it!
I was lucky enough to read a digital copy of this book and, I agree, it is a perfect picture book!
This looks like a lovely book. I will check it out. Thanks for the post.
Perfect choice for the first PPBF of 2024! Can’t wait to read TODAY! 📖💕
Thank you for sharing this beautiful book.
I’ve loved Gabi’s other books. This one looks like another soon-to-be fave.
This book sounds lovely! I can’t wait to check it out.
This books has such lovely language. I can’t wait to read it!
This looks like a beautiful book!
Look forward to reading this beautiful story.
Time is a difficult concept for most little readers, especially waiting for that special day to come. I’m sure this book will be helpful.
Beautiful book. Love everything about “Today” from the topic, illustrations, and the back matter.
Beautiful book. Thanks for sharing.
This is a book that I will treasure and will be gifting to others. Thank you for this lovely and thoughtful post.