Jamal's busy day
Wade Hudson
Paperback
(Scholastic, March 15, 1993)
The attraction of this book comes from the funny similarities between the working day of a parent and the day of a child. Jamal is no average kid who 'just' goes to school. He has a job like his mother and father; well at least he thinks so. His father is an architect and his mother is an accountant. The reader is taken on a journey through Jamal's perspective on a typical day. He speaks about his parents getting ready for work, and uses words like 'we'. This signifies that he thinks even though he is getting ready to go to school, he considers it as getting ready for work. Jamal's typical day involves such things as: Settling disagreements between co-workers (friends in playground), Attending meetings (assembly), working with numbers (maths lesson) and bringing work home (homework). The book's illustrations are bright and are the most dominant thing your eyes are drawn towards. This book would be suitable for 3-7 year olds. This is a feel good book with a positive message, which is both parents and children 'work hard' in different ways. Children will love this book as they can identify with their parents.
J