Holiday!

March 1, 2020
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. The teacher-friendly theme of cooperation and emotive characters suggest a good fit for all settings. (Picture book. 3-7)

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Starred review from May 1, 2020

PreS-Gr 2-All the days of the week got along just fine until Mr. Holiday waltzed into town. In Nelson's debut, brightly colored, anthropomorphized shapes represent each day of the week, each with its own personality. Monday, the yellow square, is upset when the blue triangle Holiday takes over the beginning of the week. While the other days are excited by the chance to party, Monday feels ignored and left out. The group splits when Holiday reveals that his plan is to stay for the entire week, and several more days join in with Monday's discontent. After Monday politely explains why their feelings are hurt, Holiday agrees to come back every once in a while, and only with advance notice. This charming story follows a trend of picture books about anthropomorphized concepts. The interloper Holiday does not have bad intentions, and quickly apologizes after realizing the harm he has caused. The illustrations are done with cut paper and digital collage, making the book feel childlike and approachable. A full page featuring Monday's angry face stands out and a spread of Holiday's party shows exceptional use of detail in a seemingly simple medium. VERDICT A unique and enjoyable story about conflict resolution. Recommended for purchase.-Clara Hendricks, Cambridge Public Library, MA

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