One Day: A Mother's Dreams and Hopes of Parenting Expressed through Poetic Prose

by Joanna Ho, Faith Pray (Illustrator)

A picture book about the depths of a mother's love. One Day is a mother's ode to her baby boy--she shares her hopes and dreams for her son as she envisions him exploring the world.

Her son will be courageous and kind, powerful and curious, and blaze his own trail. He will know that it is okay to cry, or be scared, or uncertain. Above all, he will know that he is more than enough exactly as he is.

Genres: Picture Books, Family, Childrens, Asian Literature, Aapi, Cultural, Fiction

40 pages, Hardcover

First published March 14, 2023

About the author

Joanna Ho Bradshaw is the author of Eyes that Kiss in the Corners (HarperCollins, Jan 2021), Playing at the Border: A Story of Yo-Yo Ma (HarperCollins, Fall 2021), and One Day (Winter 2023). She is a writer and educator with a passion for anti-bias, anti-racism and equity work. She holds a BA in psychology from the University of Pennsylvania, and a master’s from the Principal Leadership Institute at Berkeley. She has been an English teacher, a dean, the designer of an alternative-to-prison program, and a professional development mastermind. She is currently the vice principal of a high school in the Bay Area, where she survives on homemade chocolate chip cookies, outdoor adventures, and dance parties with her kids. Keep your eyes open for more books to come!

Reviews

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars.

One Day is a beautiful little story about motherhood and the dreams of a bright future for a new baby. The prose is very poetic and heartwarming (it reminds me of books my mum would read to be when I was little), and the art is absolutely gorgeous. Recommended!

[Cherlynn | cherreading · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another charming and beautifully illustrated read from Joanna Ho. While this one didn't engage me as much as her other books, it's a sweet ode from mother to child nevertheless.

[Brittany · Rating 1 out of 5]

Would be such a beautiful book without the random woke agenda page in the middle of it. I was sure I was putting it in my cart, so excited to read it to my children, and then immediately wanted to vomit.

[Polina Gortman · Rating 5 out of 5]

"One Day" by Joanna Ho and Faith Pray is an absolute treasure that left me in awe with its stunning illustrations and lyrical prose. The book conveys a beautiful message of hope, love, and a kinder world. It tells the story of a mother's hopes and dreams for her son as she envisions her son's future and the possibilities that await him. The warmth and tenderness in the mother's words are perfectly complemented by the soft and gentle watercolor illustrations, making this book an absolute delight to read. I'm confident that this book will become a beloved treasure in our home and an excellent gift for parents, especially new ones, or really anyone looking for a touching and inspiring read.

[Carolyn Jeziorski · Rating 5 out of 5]

Our school is very lucky to have Joanna Ho as a visiting author this week! She shared this book with students and showed them the changes that were made from earlier drafts. Beautiful letter from a mother to her baby.

[Christine Evans · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gorgeous illustrations and lyrical prose tell the story of a mother's hopes for her son including future beach trips, friendship, finding strength, and big adventures. For now, he is safe in her arms but one day, he'll grow bigger than her dreams and surprise us all.
A perfect gift for new and expecting parents.

[API · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is beautifully illustrated, and it's nice to have some API representation so API toddlers can see themselves in some books.

A lot of the story is uplifting and sweet, talking about a mother tickling her baby's toes, and dreaming of him going to the beach for the first time and splashing in the waves.

The book then depicts the API main character as getting bullied by a group of white children, and comforted by a Black girl, who becomes his friend. I just hope that kids reading this story know that the world doesn't have to be white vs BIPOC - that white people can be friends and allies too.

The later parts of the book were a bit too intense for me. The narrator talks about this kid one day breaking through vines and old growth that block his path. The narrator says that one day, this kid will "surprise the world" and "lift and embrace us all". This comes not long after a series of pages that imply racist bullying, and a full page illustration of a BIPOC protest with "Black lives matter", "Stop Asian hate", "Love is love" and other protest signs.

I think it's great to acknowledge discrimination in society and give kids support and guidance on how to deal with it. But is the narrator saying this kid is going to break through all those barriers and lift us all? To me, that's going too far. It would be putting a lot of pressure on a kid to say that they're going to smash through racial and LGBT discrimination and lift us all - like their parents expect them to grow up and be some kind of world-saving anti-bigotry superhero.

[Wynee Igel · Rating 3 out of 5]

This lovely book showed wonderful relationships and the hopes and dreams the mom (although true for all parents) has for their child. An important message of life has its ups and downs and you have to get back up and a new up experience can happen during that down time unexpectedly. The author and illustrator do this in a sweet way without being preachy and just right for reading to a young child. It gives the parent lots of pauses to talk to their child about their specific hopes. Would have loved reading this to my kids when they were that age. It does give me pause and reminds me that even though my kids are older, ask myself what hopes do I have for my kids and I need to say them so that the kids know that I'm proud of them, support them, and love them. Didn't think a picture book would apply to my older kids.

[Rose Rosetree · Rating 5 out of 5]

Picture books about mothers adoring their babies are much like greeting cards. The sentiments can help people to express themselves. And yet...

When it comes to a mother's love and her dreams for her son, does anybody really need to read a book like this one? Can't we parents find our own words for this? Shouldn't the best be private, our wishes, prayers, and special terms of affection?

Granted...

SOME READERS WILL FIND THE SENTIMENTS VOICED HERE... POETIC

I find them embarrassing to read. Decide for yourself. Here's a sample:

We spend the morning spinning slowly
to the sounds of our favorite songs.
Your cheek is a pillow
pressed to my face
as we watch ourselves dance in the mirror.

HOW TO RATE THIS BOOK?

In terms of the intended audience, as usual. FIVE STARS.

[Kelsey · Rating 4 out of 5]

One Day is a darling picture book in which Ho contrasts everyday moments between a mother and her son with what she imagines he will do and be someday. Alternating pages show a vision of an older child exploring the world. In one vision the older child is pictured standing with family and friends at a peaceful protest with signs reading, "All are welcome here," and "Black Lives Matter." This book is a beautiful tribute to parental hopes for their children's futures and would make an excellent gift for new parents.

Recommended PreS - 1

[Nicole Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

From the author of Eyes That Kiss the Corners comes this beautiful ode to a mother to her son. Full of hopes, dreams and so much love, this book is a beautiful dedication of a mother’s love and support for her child. The poetic text is moving and the illustrations wispy and dreamlike but perfectly coupled for the mother’s future imaginations. Even though it is for a son, I think it could also easily be for any child.

[Jared White · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gorgeous, lyrical text and adorable illustrations combine to share some intimate moments and hopes of a mother with and for her child.

I think this is probably best suited for caregivers to share with their children. If I were to use this in a storytime, because of the amount of text, I would probably use it with preschoolers (because of the topic and intimacy contained therein, it would ideally be a storytime where the caregivers were present).

[Panda Incognito · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was looking forward to this one, but it doesn't hold up to the author's previous work. The book is overly sentimental and checks all the expected boxes for a contemporary picture book like this, including the page with the protest signs. There are definitely some unique cultural elements, but overall, this just seemed like all the other minority baby picture books on the market and involved lots of vague platitudes about a parent's love.

[Leticia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Perfect baby shower gift for expecting moms of little boys, but especially in Asian communities as the main characters are Asian :)

It's a longer one, but based on the text it is meant to be read aloud to a small newborn baby. Still, it was heartwarming to read with my 2yo son in my lap, just to him. A love letter from mama to son. I got this because it was recommended/popular, so I didn't know what to expect from it but I was happy with it.

[Dina · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lovely book written in the perspective of a mom to her son! The hopes the mom has for her son extend from facing fears, following his own way, friendship, and so much more. As the author writes, "One day, your eyes will glow with the wisdom of stars--a lifetime of love and learning lighting up your face--a reminder that you are and always were much more than enough." Two thumbs up for this book!

[Anait Semirdzhyan · Rating 5 out of 5]

One Day is a heartwarming picture book with absolutely gorgeous illustrations! This story of a mother talking to her newborn son captures the tenderness and warmth of the special bond between mother and child, as the mother shares her hopes and dreams for her little one. A great gift to new parents!

[Mary · Rating 3 out of 5]

Beautiful paintings of a baby with Asian heritage are the best part of this book.
The text expresses wonderful sentiments of a mother dreaming for her baby son's future. These thoughts are too abstract to be accessible to young children.

[Ellie Peterson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A touching love letter from parent to child, not just about her hopes for her child, but her hopes for our future world. Pray's illustrations express parental love and child wonder with such tenderness. Grab your tissues! This is a must buy for new parents.

[Divya · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book that gives a warm fuzzy feeling. Very relatable for a mother to read along with her 2-3 year old as they often do the same things together like dancing in the mirror, tickling toes . And then looking forward to what’s to come makes your spirits rise as you see the future with shiny eyes.

[Vicki · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sweet story about the hopes for a young child as he begins his life. I’m not sure who is the intended audience for this book. It seems best for new parents.

Gorgeous, colorful illustrations.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

A picture book for new moms. Lovely prose and sweet pictures. May be enjoyed more by parents/adults, but could be a good lulling bedtime story for babies.

[Edward Sullivan · Rating 3 out of 5]

A lovely gift book for new mothers.

[Pam Page · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a beautiful picture book that would be a perfect gift for a new mom!

[Courtney K · Rating 5 out of 5]

Favorite author.

[Syntha Green · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful and beautifully illustrated

[Lynda · Rating 5 out of 5]

sweet

[Pam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful story about a mother and her baby. She savors the current time in their lives while imagining how the world welcome this child as they grow. Lovely artwork and empowering message.

[Meredith · Rating 3 out of 5]

A mother expresses her hopes for her infant's future life.

[Lori · Rating 4 out of 5]

A perfect baby shower book. Poignantly depicts a mother’s love and dreams for her child.

[Viviane Elbee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic, lyrical book reminding young babies of their worth and potential. Gorgeous illustrations show a strong and loving mother-child bond.