Through the Looking Glass Children's Book Reviews
Day by Day
Picture Book
For ages 5 to 7
Random House, 2012 ISBN: 978-0375869594
The pig family is driving west, their automobile loaded down and pulling a trailer full of their belongings. On and on they drive until they come to a pretty green place where trees are full of soft pink blossoms. Here the grandma, grandpa, mother, father, and the three children work together to build a sturdy little brick house.
Soon neighbors arrive to welcome the newcomers. They come bearing gifts of cake, jam, flowers, and cider, and it isn’t long before “friendships begin.” Soon the pig family members and their new friends are working shoulder to shoulder to plant a garden. The pigs are going to need the food they grow to be able to get through the coming winter. Hopefully with their friend’s help they will soon be able to bring in a bountiful harvest.
With its minimal text and wonderful multimedia illustrations, this picture book tells the story of a year in the lives of a family of pigs. We see how they set down roots in a new place, and how they work together to plant a garden whose crops will sustain them during the colder months.
Children will enjoy exploring the art to see what the pigs are doing in each detail-filled scene, and they will appreciate seeing how things change as the “the seasons change.” It is especially fun to see how the pigs, who behave much like humans most of the time, do on one occasion at least behave like pigs!
