Saturday

A young girl and her mother look forward to their special weekly tradition of spending Saturdays together. They plan a series of activities across their city, from the salon to the library to the park. When things don't go according to plan, mother and daughter must navigate disappointments and changes to their usual routine. Their day becomes a test of flexibility and resilience as they face one setback after another. Mora's colorful collage illustrations complement this story about a mother-daughter relationship in an urban setting. The mixed-media artwork depicts cityscapes, indoor spaces, and emotional moments between the characters. This picture book explores how love and connection matter more than perfect plans, while celebrating the bond between parent and child. The story speaks to finding joy in simple moments and adapting when life takes unexpected turns.

Readers enjoy the book's portrayal of a mother-daughter relationship and how it handles disappointment with optimism. Parents note that the story helps children understand that plans don't always work out but can still lead to meaningful experiences. Specific praise focuses on Mora's illustrations, with readers highlighting the paper collage artwork and vibrant colors. Many parents report their children request repeated readings and engage with the detailed art. Common criticisms mention that the story feels predictable and the ending wraps up too neatly. Some readers found the text repetitive. Ratings: Goodreads: 4.2/5 (2,100+ ratings) Amazon: 4.8/5 (230+ ratings) BookPage: 5/5 From reviews: "The art style matches the chaotic yet joyful day perfectly" - Goodreads user "Teaches resilience without being preachy" - Amazon reviewer "The illustrations carry the emotional weight" - School Library Journal reader review

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🌟 Author Oge Mora created all the illustrations using collage art, carefully cutting and layering colorful papers to build each scene 🎨 The book was inspired by Mora's own childhood memories of special Saturday outings with her mother 📚 Saturday earned multiple prestigious honors, including being named a New York Times Notable Children's Book and receiving the 2020 Boston Globe-Horn Book Award for Picture Books 🌈 The story's main characters, Ava and her mother, are depicted doing five different planned activities throughout their day together, though each one goes wrong in its own way 🏆 This was Oge Mora's second picture book, following her Caldecott Honor debut Thank You, Omu!, which she wrote while still a student at Rhode Island School of Design