Another Perfect Day

by Ross MacDonald

"Life is Rich," sighed Jack, as he settled back in his job as Chief Flavor Tester for the World's Best Ice Cream Company. "This is turning out to be my most perfect day yet!"

But just when he thought things couldn't possibly get any better, they started to get a little . . . funny.

Genres: Picture Books, Fiction, Humor, Childrens, Storytime, Fantasy, Superheroes

32 pages, Hardcover

First published September 1, 2002

About the author

Ross MacDonald has worked as an egg candler, dishwasher, soda jerk, house painter, street artist, paper maker, and printer, but is probably best known as a magazine illustrator. His work has appeared in The New Yorker, Vanity Fair, Newsweek, Time, The New York Times, and many other publications. He is also the author of the adult humor book In and Out with Dick and Jane, which was awarded a gold medal from the Society of Illustrators.
He lives in Connecticut with his wife, two children, four cats, and a large collection of 19th-century type and printing equipment.

Reviews

[Abigail · Rating 3 out of 5]

Jack wakes up to another perfect day in this humorous confection of a picture-book, displaying many superhero qualities - battling aliens intent on conquest, saving a derailed train - on his way in to his job as an ice-cream taste tester. But on his way home, everything starts to go wrong, as our hero suddenly finds himself dressed like a baby, and driving a tricycle. What could have happened? A helpful little boy suggests he is dreaming, and advises him to wake up. But can he...?

Although first published in 2002, Another Perfect Day has a distinct vintage feel to it, hearkening back, in its stylized illustrations, to Golden Age comic-book artwork. The story is humorous and quite surreal, feeling a little random at first, until you realize that it is all part of a dream. The final scenes, in which the real Jack is revealed, explain a lot about what made up his "perfect" day, and what was considered a catastrophe. I enjoyed this one, and would recommend it to anyone looking for picture-books about dreams and/or superheroes, or that have a somewhat surreal sensibility.

[Cosette · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Funny and good. 3 [stars] for funny and 2 [stars] for good..."

[Andie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found this picture book in a set of donations to my classroom library and it starts off cute. The main character, a man named Jack, seemingly has a perfect day, until things go wrong, and his business suit turns into a ballerina outfit and his car turns into a trike. Maybe I'm too picky, but I the idea of someone wearing a dress making their day terrible makes me uncomfortable. Yes, your clothes forcibly changed on you is disturbing, but this character was being chased by law enforcement for presumably wearing a pink dress. It turns out the main character is just a young boy stuck in a dream, but the punchline does not resolve this for me. It was published in 2002. The illustrations are great.

[Rose Rosetree · Rating 5 out of 5]

Choose whichever first look -- good, close look -- you like, making that initial assessment of illustrations that we picture book fans typically do.

* Will it be the cover?
* Or the illustration of how "The morning sun came streaming through Jack's bedroom window."
* Or whichever page?

Right away you can tell: Ross McDonald didn't simply do some little illustrations for his picture book. This man is an ILLUSTRATOR. Indeed, his work has appeared in The New Yorker, Vanity Fair, Newsweek, Time and The New York Times, among other publications.

His illustrations are a master class in how to do ultra-sophisticated design that -- at first glance -- appears to be no big deal.

P.S. The story is excellent too.

[Alyson Carroll · Rating 2 out of 5]

Jack was dreaming of his toy action figure saving the entire city by one kind action at a time. All of a sudden, his action figure turned into a baby doll and everybody in the city made fun of him. Jack had to tell his brain how to wake himself up from this scary nightmare. Once Jack convinced himself to wake up, he got up and went to play with his real action figure outside. Personally, I was not a huge fan of this book. I don't really see a clear message for the readers, therefore it is hard to say what age group I would suggest this to. I believe only boys would like this book because it deals with an action figure.

[Kate Atherton · Rating 3 out of 5]

The whole time I was reading this I was thinking "Is this a book intended for children?" At first glance, no. It's very pithy, satiric and the main character is a funny superman/New Yorker mascot caricature. The conclusion of the book made me reconsider but still not entirely believe this is a book intended to be read to children. Sure, the main character is an ice cream taster and punches aliens and planes on his way to work but he is still so 'adult old-timey cartoon'. A very unique book to be sure, I was drawn to it because having a perfect day is a phrase my friends say OFTEN. Here's to another perfect day reading a 'perfect' book.

[Steven · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun kids' book with art reminiscent of early Golden Age books yet cleaner & clearer

[BiblioBeruthiel · Rating 2 out of 5]

Weird.

[Lynn Davidson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story has a surprise ending, preceded by Jack having a perfect day - in a super way, until strange things start happening. It's almost a groaner, yet a cute ending.

[Peacegal · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars--Unique and fun book with illustrations that remind one of 1930s-era comic book heroes or perhaps tattoo illustrations. I enjoyed the cleverness of this one.

[Vivian · Rating 3 out of 5]

Jack, who looks a lot like Clark Kent, starts his day in ordinary ways -- getting dressed, eating breakfast, brushing his teeth, exercising, and then he goes about accomplishing extra-ordinary things, that is until his suit turns into a tutu, his shoes turn into clown shoes and things go wrong in every possible way. Stay tuned -- will Jack survive?

[Maggie Mattmiller · Rating 2 out of 5]

I am torn on this book. I, like other reviewers, enjoy the pictures. I like that the bedroom in the final picture shows toys that are represented in all the earlier pictures. It's a cute story, and I can see kids enjoying the superhero type character, and the silly aspects as well.

On the other hand, I feel the story is a little disjointed and just odd. If you read the speech bubbles that he is saying, the story really doesn't flow well at all! (But if you skip them all, what is the point?)

I like the concept, but I don't enjoy the flow. Overall, it's just okay.

[Sandy Brehl · Rating 4 out of 5]

MacDonald combines the art style of comic books with word play to allow Jack to rise and shine on a day as a superhero. Until... things take a bad turn and he is trapped in a wacky comic version of himself. A pajama-clad lad suggests it's a dream and he should wake up, then needs to further coach on how to do that.
Finally... "Jack", the pajama-clads lad, wakes up in his bed to another day of adventures suggested by the toy scenarios on his bedroom floor.

[Christine · Rating 1 out of 5]

Published in 2002 but has vintage look from much earlier. Superhero theme present but wouldn't recommend it because of odd scene when hero finds himself in a dress (as first sign of wierd things to come as boy tries to wake from a dream).

[Kendal · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Perfect Picture Book.

I have to find a copy of this book.

[Heidi-Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book made me laugh. It was cute and funny and made me smile. I'm not sure how well I would be able to pull it off in a storytime, but I can definitely book talk it.

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book.

I love the Golden-Age comic like illustrations.

I love the story.

I love the humor.

If you can't tell, I'm fond of this book.

[Jami · Rating 5 out of 5]

beautiful artwork

[Haim · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked this book. I read this to my son, who is so into his toys, that his world revolves around them. It was cute to see that when Jack woke up, his room was reflected in his dream.

[Shannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love this style of art. Had to knock it down a star based on the premise that a perfect day is when Jack is a manly man. And his day is ruined when said manly man gets stuck wearing a tutu.

[Alice · Rating 2 out of 5]

I don't love the pictures, I don't love the story...just not impressed!

I was hoping for a good super hero story, but, it just fell short. Sorry!

[Shu Xiao · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love love LOVE this book! Old-fashioned comic sense, really funny story.

[Alison]

Heroic. Graphically retro. The author/illustrator makes movie props such as old-looking documents, books, etc. Super cool.