Hello Day: A Child’s-Eye View of the World

by Charlie Mylie

A whimsical kid’s-eye view of a day, filled with wonders big and small . . . which sometimes clashes with their parent’s more practical plans

Hello apple,
hello shelf
I can reach you
all by myself.

When a father and child finally get out of the house, the toddler says “hello” to everything from a snack to a squirrel to a sidewalk puddle. Meanwhile, Dad stays focused on getting the duo from point A to point B. But the eager and enthusiastic “hellos” from his kid remind Dad to pay attention to the here and now.

Told entirely in the child’s voice, and boldly illustrated in vibrant colors and joyful lines, this picture book from Charlie Mylie celebrates gentle parenting and invites kid and adult readers alike to get curious about the small wonders hiding in everyday moments.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Storytime, Fiction

40 pages, Hardcover

Published April 16, 2024

About the author

From portraits done using a brush on a five foot pole, to museum concept art, and picture book creation, Charlie Mylie’s work takes many forms. For years he embodied the promise on a cardboard sign - “Yes it’s true! Pop Up Charlie can draw anything for you!” - and honed his playful style by painting thousands of on-the-spot watercolors for people across the country. It was on a 2017, 38 state tour of illustrative endurance, that Charlie sowed the seeds of his debut book, Something For You (released in fall of 2019 by FSG). Charlie lives in Kansas City and worked extensively for The Rabbit hOle, the worlds most amazing immersive museum dedicated to picture books - where he created visual conceptions for interactive exhibits, including a 100 year history panorama. He lives with wife, Sondy, and son, Misha, in a house where almost every item is labeled in Serbo-Croatian, which he is learning slowly.

Reviews

[Sydney Good · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hello Day was a cute story that showed what may be going on in a young child's mind. I really like the pictures and colors in this book- I think they are very intriguing and would engage children. I also love how the book showed the child saying "Hello" to everything showing that he was ready to take on new things and excited to view the world around him. This book also gives a good example of the child feeling conflicted between choosing between two things he would like to do. I think this could open up discussion in the classroom on what students do in this situation to share their ideas and emotions. I do not think I would use this book in my classroom since it seems like it would be better suited for a preschool classroom. I would consider using it in kindergarten or 1st grade as a read-aloud if we are getting ready to do things we haven't done before to encourage students to say "Hello" to new friends, things, activities, or ideas.

[Roben · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dad and little decide to go to storytime. But once they are outside, the young child wants to explore and play and say hello to everything. Uh oh. They missed their bus! But if they hurry...
Unfortunately hurrying is not on the agenda. And dad is becoming a little impatient. But eating apples and going to storytime don't always mix.
So - let's go to the park instead!

Such a true take on going anywhere with a toddler! Adults have their plans and deadlines but kids just want to eat their apples and explore the world.
This book is filled with beautiful bright colors. Be sure to take a peek under the dust jacket - the cover of the book is lovely!

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

bright, bold watercolor images show a kid saying hello to everything it comes across on a walk to the library. There are adult words in a different font that show an exasperated parent trying to make it to story time on time. A cute way of showing how kids interact with the world differently and with more awe/wonder than adults sometimes. Also why they are so distracted (by sweets). Cute read for a family at bedtime.

[Meredith · Rating 3 out of 5]

A father and child want to go at different speeds to a library program.

This story shows how parents and children have different ideas about how to move through the world. The father wants to get from point a to point b as quickly as possible while his child wants to explore the world around him and say hello to everything he encounters.

It also reminds the reader of a child's sense of wonder.

The illustrations were done in ink and crayon on cold press paper.

[Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book! Bold illustrations that stand out from the current fare. It really captures the feeling of trying to take a small child to a timed event while they are busy enjoying the journey. I think it will be a fun one to read at storytime, but also a great visually stimulating one to take home for one-on-one.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

While the father is trying to rush to the library for storytime, the child dawdles nearby, taking in all the sights and sounds of the world. A book to show the child's eye view of the world and that sometimes adults need to slow down and see the world that way too.

[Dawn Foster · Rating 3 out of 5]

The artwork is very much in the Chris Raschka style, but not quite as good. The story was cute but the rhyming text was off which disrupted the rhythm. It might be difficult, too, for younger kids to understand the story and/or follow the action. But, I always love a story that asks, "how about we go to story time?'

[Jamie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love a picture book that really seems to understand that a picture book is for adults and children to share. The adult reader will see themself reflected in the hurrying parent, just trying to get somewhere, and maybe be reminded to slow down a little and see the world from their child's level.

[Abby · Rating 4 out of 5]

I very much want to read this at a preschool storytime--reminds me of Antoinette Portis' Wait

[Sarah Threlkeld · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun preschool read aloud that captures the world from a small child’s perspective.

[Kelly]

Eh you know, it was ok.

[LS Johnson · Rating 3 out of 5]

i had so much hope for this one, especially since they were headed to the library for a storytime. but i ended up being quite confused. i don't think this will work for my 2/3s storytime.

[Katie · Rating 3 out of 5]

A cute story about a child as he greets the items he sees throughout the day. My only bummer is that they aren't welcome in storytime!

[Syntha Green · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is a pretty realistic example of a day with a preschooler

[Holly Mueller · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kids can teach us to SLOW DOWN and appreciate the world around us!

[Caroline · Rating 4 out of 5]

Child directed and child-led, this moment-in-time story is joyful, colorful and fun.

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bright and graphic illustrations, rhyming text, and an adult voice always interrupting the fun. I kind of wish the old librarian stereotype would go away, but fun other than that.

[Miss Janis the Storytime Lady · Rating 3 out of 5]

fine. a little meta

[stillme · Rating 3 out of 5]

ALA ALSC Notable 2025