Today Is the Day

Lin Wallace (On Our Way with Mr. Jay) and Rex (The 13th Day of Christmas) flip carpe diem on its head in this lush high-concept picture book that spotlights the life of a single day. As a full-throated songbird heralds sunrise in the distance, “a Day is born.” Cataloging text next gets into the Day’s reception (“welcomed, grumbled at, or ignored”), requirements (a Day “can never take a day off”), and events (births, bursts of laughter). Meanwhile, cinematic digital illustrations with the chalky weight of pastels depict a global cast, portrayed with various abilities and skin tones, in constant motion. When the Day learns it’s only one of 27,000 such periods in a human’s lifetime, “it suddenly feels small. It wonders if it’s even important.” But meeting a mayfly that’s “living its entire lifetime in just one day” restores perspective. In a lovely nocturnal sequence focused on a human trio gazing at the stars, the subject makes peace with its transience and creates “space for the next rise”—never knowing that it might be long remembered as someone’s best day. With a fleeting, full-hearted spirit, this thought-provoking work suggests that it’s not the days in a life but the life in the day. Concludes with “What Happens in a Day?”—a grouping of estimated statistics. Ages 3–5. Author’s agent: Jennifer Rofé, Andrea Brown Literary. Illustrator’s agent: Steve Malk, Writers House. (July)