Today is a me day

A fair-skinned child wearing a breezy shift dress heeds the call of their own free spirit one day, foregoing the world to do whatever moves them: "Today I'm going to/ find my yellow hat,//lick the honey spoon,/ smudge the window pane." Then it's off to an idyllic swath of countryside where the child brews wildflower tea and picnics with a stuffed bear in a green meadow, feeds birds in a shady stand of trees, gathers smooth stones, and then rolls down a lush, grassy bank. Acts of creation ("Today there's time to/ decorate my shoes"), care ("paint my Mama's nails"), and play ("remake my race track") follow. As the moon rises, the fulfilled child manages to "flop straight into bed," ready to "dream of castles on the moon" and whatever a new day may bring. Starkey's spare text has an effortless flow that fits well with the timeless, peaceful vibe of Haapalainen's and Vähä-Aho's bucolic backdrops. Ages 5--6. (Jan.)

A young child spends a day indulging in fun, tranquil pastimes. In a bucolic, seaside setting, the world calls to the narrator, who chooses activities that are quiet, indulgent, or just plain pleasant. The child watches raindrops, licks honey from a spoon, has a picnic with a stuffed bear, and then tosses leftover crumbs to some birds. The narrator focuses on the self (counting their freckles, practicing yogalike poses), creative endeavors (decorating shoes, remaking a racetrack), and nature (greeting a dragonfly, stuffing their pockets with smooth stones). Even bedtime is pastoral, as the child sleeps in a canopied hammock under a large tree and a full moon. Tomorrow is left open to the possibilities of adventure and empowerment. Without stating it outright, this book promotes rejuvenating breaks, when life can be enjoyed moment to moment. Only one of the activities involves another person--painting Mama's fingernails--while the rest are spent in blissful solitude at the narrator's pace and discretion. Both the measured text and the balmy pictures cultivate the meditative atmosphere. The soft, watercolorlike illustrations, frequently showcasing a sweeping countryside, are contemplative and peaceful. The child and their mother both are light-skinned. (This book was reviewed digitally.) Mellow calmness. (Picture book. 3-7) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.