Today, by Julie Morstad

This is a book I got the library to buy because I wanted to read it, I guess I also wanted the kids to read it and hoped they would enjoy it. I really liked another book by Julie Morstad, How To, so I was confident that I would like Today, and when I am excited about a book the kids pick up on it and it motivates us to read together.

Thankfully the kids have really liked it, especially the girls. My guess is that it appeals to the organising and planning gene inherent in women. The book is about making plans for the day by choosing between the options illustrated in the book.

There is no real ‘story’ to the book, but the prompts do progress throughout ‘Today’ by choosing what to wear, what to eat, where to go etc. The illustrations are not usually my preferred style, but there is something about the way Julie Morstad draws the children’s faces that is so endearing and innocent, and I really like the outright quirkiness. I found some prints that she sells on her website and had to really hold back, they would look amazing on a kids wall.

This is not your typical children’s picture book but will be engaging, entertaining and provide lots of opportunities for discussion about likes and dislikes. It’s a good way to break the ice with a kid who struggles to open up.