A Perfect Day

by Sarah S. Brannen, Sarah S. Brannen (Illustrator)

Overview

A seagull and a crab find friendship and compromise in this sweet and humorous story about the meaning of perfection.

The sky is blue, the sun is warm, the breeze is cool--it's a perfect day for Seagull, perched on a rock in the sea. That is, until crabby Crab comes along and points out all of the day's flaws! There's a cloud in the sky, a smelly boat in the distance, and the rock that they're sitting on is covered in barnacles.

In this sweet and funny story about finding happiness amidst flaws, Seagull and Crab learn that nothing is more perfect than spending time with friends.

Praise for A Perfect Day:

"This stand-out is the rare picture-story book that develops distinct characters, creates dramatic tension, and then resolves the story beautifully, all in less than 100 words. Bravo!" --The Providence Journal

"A sweet, simple friendship story buoyed by sophisticated art." --Kirkus Reviews

"A timeless tale of embracing friendship among differing points of view. Great for storytime or one-on-one sharing, this humorous title will appeal to both young audiences and adults." --SLJ

"A simple story perfect for very young listeners." --Booklist

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781984812858
Publisher:	Penguin Young Readers Group
Publication date:	07/07/2020
Sold by:	Penguin Group
Format:	eBook
Pages:	32
File size:	18 MB
Note:	This product may take a few minutes to download.
Age Range:	3 - 7 Years

About the Author

Sarah S. Brannen (www.sarahbrannen.com) is the award-winning author and illustrator of nearly twenty books for children, the most recent of which is Bear Needs Help. She lives in Massachusetts. Follow her on Twitter @SarahBrannen and on Instagram @SarahSBrannen.

Editorial Reviews

Praise for A Perfect Day:

"This stand-out is the rare picture-story book that develops distinct characters, creates dramatic tension, and then resolves the story beautifully, all in less than 100 words. Bravo!" —The Providence Journal

"A sweet, simple friendship story buoyed by sophisticated art." —Kirkus Reviews

"A timeless tale of embracing friendship among differing points of view. Great for storytime or one-on-one sharing, this humorous title will appeal to both young audiences and adults." —SLJ

"A simple story perfect for very young listeners." —Booklist

From the Publisher

06/01/2020

PreS-Gr 2— An unflappable seagull attempts to enjoy the tranquility of a beautiful day despite interruptions from a pessimistic crab friend. Similar in style to Brannen's Bear Needs Help, this inviting picture book explores how companionship can be the sweetest reward of all. As Seagull basks in the shining sun and cool breeze, Crab can't help but point out the lone cloud in the sky and the barnacles covering the small rock they are sheltering on. Determined to look on the bright side, Seagull leaves Crab for another, quieter rock. After their "rocks" suddenly overturn, a change in perspective allows the friends to discover that spending the day together is what makes it perfect. Brannen's aquatic watercolor palette of cool blues and greens evoke a serene setting. The soft orange and pinks at the book's conclusion reinforce the warmth of the bond the two friends share. VERDICT A timeless tale of embracing friendship among differing points of view. Great for storytime or one-on-one sharing, this humorous title will appeal to both young audiences and adults who can relate to seagull's steadfast optimism under a constant barrage of griping.—Sophie Kenney, Aurora P.L., IL

School Library Journal

2020-03-25
A sea gull finds a flock in an unlikely crustacean.

While basking in the sun on a rock in the middle of the ocean, a sea gull remarks, “Blue sky, gentle breeze! Warm sun, cool feet! It’s a perfect day.” That is, until a nitpicky crab crawls onto the rock and negates the sea gull’s optimism. According to the crab, the day is not perfect, as the sky has a cloud in it (yes, just one). The sea gull counters that the cloud is “pretty.” But the crab persists with the negativity, next noting the “smelly old boat” in the distance and the barnacles on the slippery rock. “Fine!” the sea gull says, and flies off “to find a better rock”—one without crabs. But when both the old and the new rock—in reality, two whales’ heads—rise up out of the ocean, the sea gull’s “perfect day” completely sinks. Or does it? Brannen’s spare dialogue, accompanied by three gorgeous and completely wordless double-page spreads, makes for lovely opportunities to talk with young readers about the story. The rich watercolor art employs multiple techniques to create textural contrast. The animal figures are simply drawn and outlined with thick, black lines, but their expressive gestures and faces bring them to life. That the sea gull would choose to befriend rather than just eat the annoying crab adds a layer to the story—and indeed the sea gull’s bright-eyed personality.

A sweet, simple friendship story buoyed by sophisticated art. (Picture book. 3-7)

Kirkus Reviews