HOLIDAY!

When Holiday, a triangular blue chap in a party hat, arrives, ready to take Monday’s place, the seven days react.

Yellow, square Monday, accustomed to kicking off each week, is firm: “While I do appreciate your offer, the other days and I have everything under control.” As Holiday unpacks anyway, peacemaker Tuesday demurs: “this Holiday seems kind of fun. Perhaps we could just see what happens….” Sociable Thursday introduces Holiday to the others, enthusiastically touting Friday’s weekly party. Saturday and Sunday, who “usually sleep all week,” show up in bedroom slippers. While Monday remains dismayed, the others marvel at celebratory cake and balloons. When Holiday announces he’d like to stay longer by usurping additional days’ spots, though, there’s new pushback from Wednesday and Friday. Regretting the conflict, Holiday contritely vows to leave. Tuesday offers a nifty compromise: Could Holiday return in a month or so? Even Monday sees the appeal of an occasional break. All ends well, with a nap for Monday through Sunday. Nelson’s digital collages use simple shapes, generalized facial features, and accessories for the armless, apparently arbitrarily shaped characters. Text is delivered mainly in dialogue bubbles. While the mini-drama nicely anchors the story, there’s no apparent significance to Holiday’s visit beyond a routine-disrupting excuse for a party.

(This book releases first as a digital edition, with print release currently scheduled for Aug. 4, 2020.)

The teacher-friendly theme of cooperation and emotive characters suggest a good fit for all settings.