Every Friday

by Dan Yaccarino

No day is better than Friday!Friday is my favorite day. All week long, a boy and his father look forward to their Friday ritual—breakfast at their favorite diner. The leisurely walk through the neighborhood is just as good as the pancakes at the end.Dan Yaccarino's bright, distinctive art style and sweet, simple story about father-son bonding make Every Friday an all-around crowd-pleaser. The weekly tradition will appeal to children who have similar routines with their parents, and kids who don't have such a tradition will be asking their dads to start one! It's a perfect gift book, too—just in time for Father's Day. Every Friday is a 2007 New York Times Book Review Best Illustrated Book of the Year and a 2008 Bank Street - Best Children's Book of the Year.

Genres: Picture Books, Family, Childrens, Storytime, Realistic Fiction, Fiction, Parenting

32 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 17, 2007

About the author

Exhibitions of his work have been held throughout the world. He is also the creator of the animated TV Series Willa's Wild Life and Oswald.

Mr. Yaccarino lives in New York City with his wife and two children.

Reviews

[Jon Nakapalau · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a fantastic book! Every Friday a father and son take a walk through their neighborhood to the local diner to have a pancake breakfast and talk. As they walk they say hi to neighbors...they connect with the people who live next to them. It is so important to spend time with children - just think of the memories this boy will have...fantastic art!

[Melki · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every Friday a boy and his dad leave home early to have breakfast together at the neighborhood diner. On the way, they encounter shop keepers, commuters, and dog walkers. When they get to the diner, the waitress already knows what their order will be. What a wonderful tradition for this father and son!

Yaccarino's artwork is just wonderful for this simple story - bright colors, patterns, and a unique, creative use of white space.



As much as my youngest loved "Trashy Town," I wish I'd known about this one when he was smaller.

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

There is so much to love about this book! The investment the father is making in his son will serve them both all their lives long. I loved that they both had their time together to look forward to each week and the comfort of an established routine with room for variations and experiencing the unexpected together along the way. I loved the illustrations also, which invite us to look further and notice the details of a neighborhood teeming with life.

[Kathryn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this! It's such a sweet, simple story about how a father and son share a special morning together once a week when they walk through the city to enjoy breakfast at their favorite diner. It's great that this is a tradition they have together, something each looks forward to every week. The slightly old-fashioned feel to the illustrations is charming, though this is a contemporary book and the positive message of a father and his child spending special one-on-one time together.

[Sylvester (Taking a break in 2023) · Rating 5 out of 5]

5* art
5* story

This is quite likely more my favorite than Squirt's at this point - but I think that will change as he gets older. And he does like it - just not as much as Garbage Trucks (poor Dad).

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

Simple story about a young boy enjoying quality time with his father. I was a fan of the artwork, which is why I'm giving it four stars instead of three, but it lacked something for me to make it extra special or unique.

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

Every Friday by Dan Yaccarino is a look at a Father - Son tradition of weekly Friday breakfasts. An author's note tells that this is a real traditon of the author and his son.

Yaccarino's illustrations were made using gouache on watercolor paper. My favorite image: the opening image of Dad leaning to kiss his wife goddbye, Mom with arm out about to feed baby in highchair, baby leaning toward the spoon, and dog under spoon waiting/hoping for some dropped food. Other fave images: Dad and son leaving apartment building, construction, friendly waves, Dad looking at Sports store, and the last two images.

This would be a good choice for a fathers theme of Father's Day. Children with no father or poor fathers could feel bad after hearing this. I really like the illustrations and the strong bond between Dad and son. Emerging readers should enjoy this. Recommended for school and public library collections.

For ages 2.5 to 5, easy-reader, realistic-fiction, Fathers-sons, Fridays, breakfast, and fans of Dan Yaccarino.

[Gretchen Taylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting to contrast the time the boy and his father are taking together with the emphasis on all of the people hurrying by. Do kids feel a sense of hurry most of the time? When do we take the time to slow down?

Reading:
How does the son feel in this book? What might make him feel this way?

The narrator says Friday is his favorite day. Why does he feel this way? What happens in the text to make him feel this way?

Notice the illustrations and the words in the texts. How would you describe the interactions between the father and son?

Writing:
Write about a tradition you have with your family, classmates, or friends.

The narrator makes a lot of observations during his walk to breakfast. Think hard about walking around your neighborhood or your school -- describe what you would observe. After ten minutes of writing, pick one observation to zoom in on and describe in more detail.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

My four-year-old son checked this book out from the library yesterday. It was the first book he wanted to read when we got home.

I love everything about this book: the story, the writing, the distinctive and timeless illustrations, the interesting effects (like how the inside of the diner looks black and white when viewed from the outside), but most of all, I love, love, love the author's note. Every Friday, since his son turned three, the author has taken his son to breakfast. What a wonderful tradition!

I will be buying my own copy of this book.

[Randie D. Camp, M.S. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love stories like this that portray family relationships, in this case a father/son bond, to children in a real way.

Many children can relate to this book and text is simple enough for emerging readers to read.

[ShaLisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I want to have an "every Friday" with my child. Maybe the youngest. This book was sentimental for me.

[Danielle Mootz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Everyone loves Friday. My 3-year old son is obsessed with Friday. He could hardly contain his excitement juat reading the title.

[Mark Burnett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Title: Every Friday
Author: Dan Yaccarino
Illustrator: Dan Yaccarino and Donna Mark
Genre: Predictable
Themes: Family, Manners/friendliness
Opening Sentence: Friday is my favorite day.

Brief Book Summary: Every Friday morning the boy and his dad take a walk through town no matter the weather. They have a nice relaxing walk and say hi to everyone on the way. They eventually get to the diner where they have breakfast every Friday.

Professional Review #1:
Yaccarino, Dan Every Friday
32 pp. Holt 2007. ISBN 978-0-8050-7724-7
(3) K-3 A boy explains why "Friday is my favorite day": he and his dad have a tradition of breakfast at a neighborhood diner. The simple, descriptive nature of the story may resonate more with dads than young sons. But the geometric city-set illustrations, full of browns and blues and 1950s accents, are knockouts.

Professional Review #2:
Every Friday, by Dan Yaccarino. 2007. New York: Henry Holt. 32 pp. ISBN 9780805077247. Ages 2 to 7.

On Fridays, the young narrator and his father leave the house early to take a leisurely stroll through the city and stop at their favorite diner for breakfast. Rain or shine, they watch the shops open, give and get friendly waves, and take their time while the commuters rush around them. An ode to sons and dads, to reassuring routine and ritual, to stopping to smell the roses, to not overscheduling, and to enjoying city sights, this book is a winner in every way. The retro-style gouache illustrations have a bold look that young readers will find inviting.

Response to Reviews:
The first review made me laugh when it said fathers might resonate more with this story. I also agree that this simple, yet descriptive story is entertaining and could make children want to spend time with their father's like this. I also think slowing down and enjoying a day with family is important for children.

Evaluation of Literary Elements:
This book was designed to give children nostalgia or possibly make them eager to spend time with their fathers. The plot of the story could help children relax, and even give them ideas about how to spend their time with their fathers. I think this book could make those students without a father uncomfortable so a teacher would have to be careful with the audience.

Consideration of Instructional Application:
In a classroom I could see children using this as an activity around father's day. I think children could reflect on some rituals they have with their family members. If they didn't have a father they could pick someone that is like a father to them such as an uncle or a family friend.

[Storywraps · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just in time for Father's Day this little book would make the perfect gift. It is a simple, joyful little tale about father-son bonding that is truly wonderful to read and share. Every Friday, like clockwork, a boy and his father walk through their neighbourhood heading out for breakfast at their favourite diner. Just the two of them, strolling down the lane bustling with crowds of people on their way to work. The boy and his father walk past changing landscapes, wave to friendly faces and dogs, and count the number of blocks to go. When they reach their destination they sit in their "usuals" and chat about everything imagination during their special breakfast together. They are happy and both love their weekly routine. The story is very powerful...the simplicity and contentment that you can experience with doing nothing spectacular....just hanging out together and enjoying each other's company. The illustrations are bright and appealing. This is a book to read that will make you feel good and have you wishing that you too could experience such a relationship with your own dad.

[Carolyn]

Such a lovely story – an excellent choice for preschool storytime or a bedtime story. Each Friday, a young boy and his dad leave their city apartment and walk through the bustling streets. They walk past shops and building sites, people rushing to work and people who are already going about their business.

Everyone is rushing, but we’re taking our time. We get friendly waves and we give them right back.

Eventually they arrive at a familiar diner. They sit together in a booth, enjoy breakfast, chat and watch the world go by. Their happy relationship and joy in being each other’s company is clear and very endearing.

Highlighted in our Terrific Picture Books About Fathers and Fatherhood post

[Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book for its simple text and the loving relationship between a father and son worthy of emulation by all its readers. And this is what the author wishes. The dedication reads "Every Friday, my son, Michael, and I have breakfast together at the corner diner. Since he turned three, this has been our special time together and our favorite day of the week. I hope that you, too, will start a little tradition like ours."

[Gwen the Librarian · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love the concept of this book - every Friday, a boy and his father go out together for breakfast and take a look at the world around them. I also love the really old-school illustrations and the deatils of the city people walking down the street.

[Sandy Brehl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Retro art and a retro concept, both of which are worth reviving. This weekly dad/son breakfast date is simply portrayed, with profound effect. let's hope the practice can be revived. maybe all that's needed is this simple example.

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

bright colors. simple illustrations. It's cute how the dad and boy mirror each other's steps, and behaviours. The boy pauses to look in a toy shop window, the dad pauses to look in a sporting goods store window. Good discussion starter to ask kids what their rituals are.

[Amanda Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

this book reminds me of the breakfast my father and i used to get on saturday when i was little. i love the positive father as a role model idea behind this book and appreciate the story it teaches children

[Margaux · Rating 5 out of 5]

Super cute! A little boy and his dad go to a diner every friday for breakfast and talk about life. This tracks their journey. The creator is the same man who animated the Oswald series on TV (I couldn't place it but there it was on the back book flap. I could see making this a tradition.

[Katherine Wiggett · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a sweet book! The illustrations are fun and the idea is inspiring. My two year old son was mesmerized, probably because he is obsessed with being with his daddy right now. I hope we can find a tradition for him and his dad in the years to come.

[Nicole (book.quill) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute dad and kid bonding story. It's important to have those one on one regular outings with kids and I'm happy that something as simple as breakfast at the diner on Friday makes this child so excited and happy.

[Dianna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Every Friday a little boy and his dad go to breakfast at the local diner. Well done and very simple.

[Jo Oehrlein · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sweet story about the weekly father-son Friday breakfast date (including the walk to the diner).

[Kelly Timian · Rating 4 out of 5]

• This story is about a boy and a father that share a special tradition. On Fridays, the pair walk to a diner to eat breakfast together. They watch people, take their time, and converse with each other while everyone around them seems to be in a hurry. The book ends with the boy’s excitement for the next Friday so they can do it all over again.

• This book has the characteristics of a picture book because each page has one line of text that captions the events of each picture. The illustrations are comprised of mainly geometric figures that use opposing colors to contrast the shapes.

• The theme of this book is the importance of bonding and sharing traditions with loved ones. The author uses a familiar schema between child and guardian that many students can relate to. Based on the author’s life, a boy and a father designate Friday mornings as special time with one another. This book could be used to explore the concept of tradition between two individuals and eventually between two whole countries.

• This book is a good for beginning readers in grades K-2. It could be utilized in lessons on letter capitalization or how to use quotation marks.

[Ch_ebonysmith · Rating 3 out of 5]

A young boy and his father have a tradition-ever Friday they have breakfast at the diner. No matter what the weather is, they keep up their tradition. On the way to the diner, they experience many things such they saw shops open, they saw people walking their dogs, the saw buildings going up, and much more. The two make it to the diner and have breakfast. The boy usually gets pancakes. Father and son talk about all sorts of things at breakfast. Soon breakfast is over and they start their journey back home. All the time, the boy is thinking about next Friday.

This book is for very young readers (preschool). There are very few words and the text is large. The pictures are bright and will draw children’s attention.

[Hannah Kauper · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a book about a boy and his times with his dad. Every Friday this boy looks forward to walking to school with his dad and all the fun things they do on their way. He cherishes every moment with his dad and really loves to be with him.

This is a cute story about a son and his father that many can relate to. Although, I know there will be children in my classroom who do not have a father figure at home I think this is still a good book. I do not think I would have it in my room unless I knew the culture of the children I have in my room. I think some kids would find this book sad because they cannot relate to it and might get upset if it is read out loud. I liked this book a lot but if I were to read it I would start a discussion and that might leave some feeling left out.

[Melissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

This story is about a boy and his father and their Friday ritual of going out for breakfast together. The illustrations are gouache on watercolor paper. The illustrations are vibrant and colorful. The story is short and it is the illustrations that add much needed detail to the story and where the real love comes in.

I would use this book with the younger grades. It would be wonderful when discussing family traditions or rituals. This could be used in a unit on family, it could be used in a unit on the meaning of tradition or rituals. With older students, it would be a wonderful opportunity for a journal activity. This could be part of a larger text set on different traditions around the world. It could also be part of a text set on different rituals around the world.

[Erin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another great dad book! This one is the story of a little boy and his father who have a special routine of going out to breakfast together every Friday (based on the author's tradition with his own son). Readers follow along as they walk to their regular diner together for pancakes. On the way they count dogs, watch construction going up, and wave to people they know. It's a great idea for a tradition, and another good book focusing on a dad (there is a mom featured in the first illustration but otherwise it's just dad).