Every day is full of endless possibilities - especially TODAY!
The simplest moment has the potential to become extraordinary in this beautiful book by Julie Morstad. From getting dressed, to having breakfast, to choosing ways to go, Today has a little something to delight everyone.
Julie Morstad is an award winning illustrator and artist living in Vancouver, B.C. with her husband and three kids. She received her BFA at Alberta College of Art and Design in 2004, and has since produced art for children’s books, CD and book covers, fabric, wallpaper and two animated music videos.
I was finally able to get access to my library yesterday and found 25 or so books there on hold! Many were picturebooks I had reserved back in December, such as this one by the superb Vancouver illustrator Julie Morstad, whose work I fell in love with when I saw it in Sara O'Leary's books (When I Was Small). This one I understand was originally titled The Almost Everything Book, which I actually think would have been a better title than Today, which just seems too vague to me.
Today features the delicate, lovely illustrations I came for. The book is sort of interactive in that it invites kids to make choices about what they might wear, eat, where they might go. And ethnically diverse choices. With vocabulary (to learn) attached to objects. Fun! Happy sweet drawings.
There's one nagging concern I have in this time of greater refugees and growing poverty; the book sort of assumes all kids have all these choices, and doesn't at least acknowledge that some people don't have these kinds of choices. But it's still a sweet, positive book.
Ich könnte vor Freude weinen. Dieses Buch ist einfach zuckersüß, herzerwärmend und wunderschön gestaltet. Ein wahres Fest für die Augen und das eigene innere Kind. Mir fiel das Buch das erste Mal in die Hände, als ich Ende September zur Hochzeit meines Cousins nach Münster fuhr. Seit dem Tod meiner Oma verschlägt mich nicht mehr vieles in diese Stadt, aber immer, wenn ich da bin, mache ich einen Abstecher zu Poertgen Herder, meinem absoluten Lieblingsbuchladen in Münster. Da ich dieses Mal noch einige Stunden Zeit hatte, bevor mein Zug nach Berlin abfuhr, nahm ich mir besonders viel Zeit, die Regale abzuschlendern und durch alle Etagen des Ladens zu stöbern.
In der Kinderbuchabteilung, die ich ausgiebig durchforstete, auf der Suche nach interessanten Büchern für meinen Neffen, stieß ich dann auf Morstad's Und heute?. Das Buch sprach mich von Anfang an an. Die Illustration auf dem Cover war verheißungsvoll, ein ungewöhnlicher Stil, aber einer, der mir sehr zusagte. Und als ich dann die ersten Seiten aufblätterte, war es bereits um mich geschehen. Was ein Zeichenstil! Was für Farben! Was für ein tolles Konzept! Ich hätte dieses Buch als kleines Mädchen so geliebt. Es ist ja selbst jetzt zu einem meiner all-time favorites geworden, obwohl ich nichts Nostalgisches mit dem Buch verbinden kann. :> Es ist einfach nur wundervoll!
Mitgenommen habe ich es bei Poertgen Herder dann übrigens nicht. Mein innerer miser war zu stark und ich wollte keine 19,00€ für ein Kinderbuch ausgeben, obwohl der Preis für diese wunderschönen 50 Seiten durchaus gerechtfertigt wäre. Also sagte ich dem Buch Lebewohl, konnte dann aber in Berlin nicht ganz mit ihm abschließen. Als ich es dann für 9,00€ auf reBuy fand (und sowieso schon dabei war, meinen Warenkorb zu füllen ... ihr werdet nicht glauben, was für einen Schnapper ich da gemacht habe, aber das erzähle ich euch ein andermal), war die Sache geritzt. Zack. Bestellt. Jetzt am Nikolaustag in meinen Händen und ich könnte glücklicher nicht sein.
Ich hätt' Kunst studieren müssen, um euch Morstad's Zeichenstil lebhaft zu beschreiben, daher verlinke ich euch einfach ihre Webseite, auf der ihr mal selber stöbern könnt. Ich liebe diesen etwas rougheren "Buntstift-Look", der auch der Ästhetik eines Erwachsenen entspricht. Jede Seite ist ein Fest, auch wenn mir die Seiten, die in Grautönen gehalten sind, nicht so zusagen. Ich hätte es präferiert, wären alle Seiten voll koloriert gewesen. Mich würde interessieren, was Morstad dazu bewegte, diese zwei unterschiedlichen Farbkonzepte für diese Geschichte zu verwenden.
Wie auch immer, Und heute? ist ein "Aussuchbuch" (mir fällt gerade kein besseres Wort ein). Eines, bei dem Leser*innen dazu aufgefordert werden, sich unterschiedliche Dinge aus verschiedenen Themenbereichen auszusuchen. Wir begleiten verschiedene Kinder durch ihren Tag, vom Aufstehen bis zum Schlafengehen. Da so ein Tag ja auch lang ist, gibt es eben auch viele Entscheidungen zu treffen, viele Dinge, die man sich aussuchen kann: Welche Kleidung wird angezogen? Welche Frisur gewählt? Was wird zum Frühstück gegessen? Welche Blumen möchte man pflücke und wem schenken? Was ist das coolste Spielzeug? So on and so forth. Die Themen sind gut gewählt, da sie die Lebensrealität vieler Kinder abbilden.
Das Buch kann auch bezüglich Diversity punkten. Morstad gibt auch Schwarzen, indigenen, asiatischen und Kindern of Color einen Raum in ihrem Buch, ich würde fast sagen, dass diese Gesichter dominieren, was einfach klasse ist! Insgesamt würde ich sagen, dass das Buch eher auf Mädchen als auf Jungen zugeschnitten ist, da deutlich mehr weibliche Figuren vorkommen und bei den Kleidungsseiten auch mehr traditionelle Kleidung für Mädchen, sprich Kleider und Tütüs etc., vorkommen – was nicht heißen soll, dass sich Jungs nicht für Kleider und Tütüs entscheiden sollen oder können. Ich bin sehr gespannt, wie mein Neffe später auf das Buch reagieren wird. Bestimmt unterschätze ich die kleinen Racker total und sie scheißen noch mehr auf Gendernormen als wir.
Das Buch hätte definitiv inklusiver sein können, so kommen bspw. keine mehrgewichtigen oder behinderten Kinder vor. Trotzdem hat es bei mir ein ganz wohliges Gefühl hinterlassen. Die gezeigte Diversität wäre bei Kinderbüchern meines Jahrgangs absolut utopisch gewesen. Bücher wie diese waren damals nicht zu finden – jedenfalls nicht in meinem Bücherregal oder in meiner lokalen Buchhandlung. Ich finde, dass besonders im Bereich der illustrierten Geschichten (Kinderbücher, Comics, Graphic Novels etc.) der Wandel hin zu mehr Diversität deutlich spürbar ist. Und das macht mich einfach nur glücklich. We have a long way to go, aber Bücher wie Und heute? scheinen heute der Standard zu sein, nicht mehr die Ausnahme.
Dieses Buch regt die eigene Fantasie ein und lädt ein, mit Kindern ins Gespräch zu kommen. Ich kann mir gut vorstellen, dass viele Kinder ihre Freude an einem Buch wie diesem finden werden. Viele spannende Konversationen und Erkenntnisse können sich aus der Lektüre ergeben. Ganz nebenbei können sich Kinder auch neuen Wortschatz erschließen. Für mich ein absolutes Jahreshighlight!
I loved the premise of this book -- young readers will get a kick out of building their own story. The questions, with their illustrated multiple-choice answers, can be answered in countless combinations. I can imagine reading this one-on-one with a child, and having fun conversations along the way (what's lederhosen? what does grapefruit taste like? who would you give those flowers to?). I also appreciated seeing children of different races featured throughout the story.
At the same time, I was disappointed by a couple things: one, the missed opportunities to present an even wider range of experiences, cultures, and perspectives of the children represented (e.g., featuring children who are wheelchair users, children of different body sizes, etc.); and two, the grass skirt on the second page. In its cultural context, a grass skirt would not be worn outside of a hula ceremony -- and even then, many traditional dancers don't wear grass skirts at all. Whether intended or not, references to grass skirts outside of this specific context is racist caricature, meant to be more of a "kitschy" clothing option than a respectful representation of a cultural style of dress.
Full stars for the idea of this book, and for the author's care in depicting people of different racial backgrounds. Fewer stars for certain content choices along the way.
Beautiful illustrations! Pictures are of ethnically diverse kids, which is reflected in other choices in the novel (different cultures' breakfast foods, toys). Not really suited for storytime since it's more of a sit and look closely and learn some new vocabulary or share stories that come up.
I was initially curious about this book because it was a new offering from the incredibly talented Julie Morstad, but it was its creativity and the way it cultivates conversation and a sense of individual choice and individuality that truly won me over. Just one of many examples throughout the book is when readers are asked what they would like to wear and are then offered a two-page spread with everything from party dresses and lederhosen to fairy wings and eye patches from which to choose. I can't wait to share this book with readers!
lame, stale, trite, and irrelevant to many children What if you don't have a backyard? What if you wear glasses but aren't quiet & careful? Etc. It's prettier than a Richard Scarry book but not as fun. Such a disappointment.
Would be difficult to read aloud as a story, but with interactive elements, would be the kind of book kids could spend time with independently/in a group pouring over the illustrations and options.
This is one of those books that is less a story and more an opportunity to look at nice illustrations and talk with others about which of the pictures you like best. It's a "let's look at this together" book.
For example, there is a spread where you are asked "Which would you pick?" and you're shown a variety of flowers labeled with their common names.
Another page asks "How would YOU get there?" and shows various locomotive options, including 'jog', get pushed' [in a stroller], and 'paddle' [in a canoe].
There is a cozy "Which pajamas would you choose?" and "What would YOU like to eat [for breakfast]?" Adorbs.
The story of this book is quite simple, it’s mostly just about the possibilities of every day. The illustrations are the shining star of this book. each page is gorgeous and looks like it should be a poster. If this book didn’t have the illustrations it has the story would be too simple but with the gorgeous pictures it makes it enjoyable and makes you want to linger on the Pages.
My daughter LOVES to make choices and point at things in books, so this is perfect for her. She is almost four and we have read this every night since we got it. Beautiful and diverse.
I loved this simple but amazing picture book. It could keep kids engrossed all day, reading all the choices offered for what you can wear, eat, and do in a day. Some unexpected choices will bring giggles and keep children reading for more.
This review was originally written for The Baby Bookworm. Visit us for new picture books reviews daily!
Hello friends! Happy New Year’s Eve! We’re moving into the next year with our very last review of 2017, Today by Julie Morstad.
A cheerful narrative surrounds this object identification book, wishing the reader a good morning and asking a simple question: what will you do today? Of course, it’s important to first get dressed and have breakfast, and there are many options to choose from in both cases. After that, there are lots of things that the reader can do, rain or shine. Go on a picnic? Or to the beach? Would they prefer to be in a bustling city, or in a quiet place alone? No matter how the reader chooses to spend their day, it will always end with getting ready for bed, getting tucked in, and asking one last question before they drift off to sleep: what will you do tomorrow?
This was great! JJ is just beginning to get into these types of books, and she really enjoyed this one. We especially liked how the elements of object identification (foods, clothing, transportation, things in a bedroom, etc.) are woven together with a storyline; it gives the book a structure that allows it to be read either in a linear manner or simply enjoyed page by page. The illustrations are wonderful, energetic and charming, and the text is whimsical and cheeky at times, yet soothingly bright at others. The length is variable depending on how the book is approached, but can easily be read in one sitting. A fun way to educate while inspiring imagination and communication, and it’s definitely Baby Bookworm approved!
(Note: A copy of this book was provided to The Baby Bookworm by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.)
Morstad's unique mixed-media illustrations show diverse children making choices about what they will wear, eat, and do "today" in this beautiful picture book that invites personal expression, individual choice, and the inclusion of a variety of identities and tastes.
My favorite page is the one that says, "And how would you like to wear your hair?" showing 21 kids with different hair colors and styles and textures and skin tones. The children are shades of black, white, & grey, with a peachy background color.
One page says, "Can you guess where we are going?" and shows children with various gear and outfits - not all of them are obvious, but there is no correct nor wrong answer! The next page says, "Oops! We almost forgot breakfast. What would YOU like to eat?" and nine children are seated in mis-matched chairs around a table full of plates of food that are labeled like a vocabulary book. (...including porridge, rice & beans, grapefruit, pizza, pancakes, toast, etc.) This page (and a few others in the book) reflect an abundance of riches or choices that most people do not have access to, which may worry some adults - will it cause young readers to feel deprived? In my opinion, children often imagine fantasy choices, and it does them no harm to play this game. ("I wish I had an ice cream right now," for example.)
Although children's choices about food, clothing, and activities may seem like a luxury in many families, this book doesn't assume vast riches, and many of the choices are simple things - "What's left before bedtime? ...One more book? ...Don't forget to brush! ...Call Grandma? ...Can I have a drink of water?" However, I'd like to hear feedback from families about my guess that it's inviting without being distancing or exclusive: Is my guess coming from a place of privilege that is so broad I can't conceive of tighter boundaries?
I can imagine an adult sharing it with a child as a way to practice checking in with your own feelings about what you enjoy & appreciate as well as what you dislike & avoid - without judgment or expectation based on gender, ability, age, or wealth.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Today. So much of kids' day days are laid out for them. But in Today, they choose and they love it. What to wear? Tutu? Bee Keepers hat? Lederhosen? How would you like to wear your hair? What would you like to eat? Where do you want to go today? So many good questions with so many possibilities. We love Julie Morstad! I hope to share more of her work soon. #kidsbooksworthreading #kidsbooks #kidsbook #childrensliterature #kidlit #kidsbookstagram #juliemorstad #today
Anything with Julie Morstad illustrations will find a way into my collection! I just love her work. Pages with lots of options and labels for everything - this is a book I would have poured over as a child. Following children as they go through their day and all of the many choices they have - young readers will love this engaging book.
It's Julie Morstad! It's flawless, beautiful and full of wonderful texture. I could read this book everyday, because it's always new. A very empowering book for making choices and celebrating your own unique personality. Julie always invites us in to explore childhood and to find a peice of ourselves.
This one was really neat - kind of a choose-your-own-adventure for small children. I loved all the different vocabulary that was introduced and the illustrations were incredible! I feel like I would frame a picture from this book and hang it on my wall. I can see this being a little one's favourite book, asked for over and over because it's a little different each time you read it.
Anything Julie Morstad illustrates is beautiful and brilliant and this book is no different. It's kind of like a Choose-Your-Own-Adventure in re: all the small but significant decisions we make in a day (what to wear, how to wear your hair, what to eat for breakfast, etc.)
Read it. Loved it! Both the illustrations and the story itself. The pages full of options from which to choose for today were marvelous with bits of humor colored in for good measure. The flower spread might have been my favorite.