JUST ANOTHER PERFECT DAY

A family hangs tough even on a day when everything that can go wrong does.

The morning starts off with chaos. None of Mom’s alarm clocks go off on time, and the kids awaken feeling discombobulated (“Annie’s…still in her bed, / Her feet on the pillow instead of her head,” Leo “had a bad dream and awoke in a muddle, / But it’s too late to go get a comforting cuddle”). And Dad’s attempts to get a head start walking the dogs backfire when the rambunctious pooches take off. As everyone heads out, they encounter more disappointments, from Annie’s ruined painting in art class to Mom’s stressful day at the office. Everything culminates in a misdelivered pizza dinner, but as parents and kids prepare a homemade dinner together, they talk about their day and finally feel its frustrations melt away. Because, after all, “Each day isn’t perfect; no family is, ever. / But what makes it all work / Is being together.” Readers of all ages will relate to the travails of this harried but loving family; the authors infuse the tale with zippy rhymes and positive, meaningful messaging, emphasizing the importance of venting and keeping a sense of perspective. Goble’s tidy-looking images rely on a palette of soft blues, pinks, and greens. Mom is tan-skinned; the other family members are lighter-skinned.

A feel-good tale of a frazzled family finding a way to unwind.