Every Friday

Starred review from March 12, 2007
Young children who share a dependable ritual with someone special can recognize themselves in this account of a father and son's weekly breakfast out. The elementary school–age son describes their routine, which begins before school or work (implied by the boy's book and the father's briefcase). Yaccarino's (The Birthday Fish
) gouaches present an orderly city of brownstones and highrises, in all kinds of weather. On the sidewalk, the boy and his dad tip their hats to a street sweeper and a uniformed doorman. The father coaxes the boy not to linger at a toy store window, and the boy returns the favor when his dad gapes at a sports shop. They arrive at a bustling diner, where a friendly waitress predicts their order and later calls, "See you next Friday!" Yaccarino favors late-1950s visuals. Nary a wheeled sneaker, video game or headphone detracts from parent-child closeness. The dad's gray fedora and checked blue tweed suit, and the boy's prim zip-up jacket and dress shoes, imply the era of Leave It to Beaver
, while urging 21st-century readers to carve out space for togetherness. "Everyone is rushing, but we're taking our time," the narrator says as a full bus rolls past. In an author's note, Yaccarino explains that he and his young son set aside time each Friday, "our favorite day of the week," and prompts readers to "start a little tradition like ours." This amiable chronicle shows a cozy plan tailored to urban life, yet suggests the rewards are transferable anywhere. Ages 3-7.

June 1, 2007
PreS-Gr 1 -A young boy and his father have a weekly date for breakfast at a nearby diner, and the walk there is half the fun. As they pass through their urban neighborhood, they count dogs, wave to the man in the newspaper stall, and watch the slow construction of a new building. Upon their arrival at the restaurant, they greet their favorite waitress by name, and she knows to bring out pancakes right away. The story is simple but sweet, and the child's excitement about the time spent with his dad is obvious throughout. Painted in gouache, the illustrations of the cars and characters' clothing and hairstyles give the book a '50s look, as do small touches such as milk bottles in front of the door. Yaccarino uses a warm palette to create rudimentary buildings and simple, friendly faces. This is an excellent book for a parent and child to share, and perhaps some families will begin weekly traditions of their own.Daisy Porter, San Jose Public Library, CA

Copyright 2007 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Starred review from February 1, 2007
"Friday is my favorite day," announces the young narrator in this spare, stylish picture book. In just a few words per spread, the boy describes the route that he and his dad walk on their way to their weekly Friday breakfast at the corner diner. Along the way, father and son greet familiar faces, note the progress of buildings going up, and window-shop. At the restaurant, they share pancakes and "talk about all sorts of things," while people hurry by on the street outside. Yaccarino's retro gouache paintings are filled with 1950s colors (lots of aqua) and details, such as the milk bottles on the doormat. Kids may not notice the time-specific references, and but they'll likely pick up on the nostalgic tone, which amplifies the warm sense that the breakfast tradition is a welcome break from modern, overbooked lives: "Everyone is rushing, but we're taking our time." It's the closeness between father and son, though, that will speak most to kids, and Yaccarino's clean lines, saturated colors, and very simple words distill the story's emotions into clear, understated sweetness that's not too sugary. Pair this with the titles included in the Read-alikes, "A Day with Dad," in the June 2005 issue of " Booklist.\i0 (Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2007, American Library Association.)