A Perfect Wonderful Day with Friends

  • Interest Level: Preschool - Grade 2
  • Reading Level: Grade 2

A big-hearted picture book about outdoor adventures on the perfect sunny, summer day.

This cheerful book captures the warmth and fun of a spontaneous summer day with friends, where one lovely activity leads to another until they all go back home to bake a cake (two cakes!) to finish.

With laconic narration, funny dialogue and exquisite illustrations, A Perfect Wonderful Day with Friends tells the story of a carefree childhood day and evokes nostalgia for summers spent playing outside, fishing, climbing trees and swimming. The repetition of language and lyrical text make a fun and satisfying read aloud—allowing children to join in.

Raccoon decides to bake an apple cake. But he has no eggs, so visits his friend Fox, who needs a ladder to mend the roof. Badger will have one, but he needs help too, so they set off to find Bear. They stroll through meadows, meet up with Crow, nibble blackberries and find Bear fishing at the river. Soon the five friends are having the best day out—the sun shining on their fur, fishing, swimming, picnic and finally home to bake the cake—two cakes, because bears have big appetites.

This book is perfect to celebrate the start of the summer school holidays and wonderful to read aloud together in the sunshine.

Philip Waechter was born in Germany. He lives as a freelance graphic designer and illustrator in Frankfurt am Main known for his beautifully classic illustration style. In 1999 Philip and Moni Port co-founded the community studio LABOR.

Translated from the German edition by Melody Shaw.

Happy and Healthy category finalist, Teach Early Years Awards 2022.

Praise for A Perfect Wonderful Day with Friends

“It all adds up to a calm, happy, perfect, wonderful day that young readers and their parents will find almost as nice as the real thing.”—The Wall Street Journal

“The secret to happiness lies, this jovial book hints, in welcoming every new event and participating wholeheartedly.”—Publishers Weekly

“A picture book about simply being alive. This is a story about a day when you are being observant and finding adventure wherever you can.”—School Library Journal

“Friendly characters, a satisfying story, and a happy ending for all. . . A rewarding choice for reading aloud.”—Booklist

Format Your Price Add
978-1-77657-466-7
$14.24
978-1-77657-478-0
$23.99
Available at all major wholesalers and distributors. Save 25% off list price on hardcovers and ebooks when you buy direct! Digital purchases will be accessed on Lerner Digital Bookshelf. An account will be created for you after purchase.
Interest Level Preschool - Grade 2
Reading Level Grade 2
Genre Picture Books
Category SEL: D Relationship Skills, Social Emotional Learning
Copyright 2022
Publisher Lerner Publishing Group
Imprint Gecko Press ™
Language English
Number of Pages 28
Publication Date 2022-08-02
Text Type Fiction
BISACS JUV039060, JUV002000, JUV032170
Dewey [E]
Dimensions 10.4 x 9.3333
Lexile 560
ATOS Reading Level 2.4
Accelerated Reader® Points 0.5
Features Original artwork, Reviewed, Teaching Guides, and eSource

Author, Illustrator: Philip Waechter

Philip Waechter is one of Germany’s leading children’s author/illustrators. He lives in Frankfurt, where he works as a graphic designer as part of the community studio LABOR.

Lerner eSource™ offers free digital teaching and learning resources, including Common Core State Standards (CCSS) teaching guides. These guides, created by classroom teachers, offer short lessons and writing exercises that give students specific instruction and practice using Common Core skills and strategies. Lerner eSource also provides additional resources including online activities, downloadable/printable graphic organizers, and additional educational materials that would also support Common Core instruction. Download, share, pin, print, and save as many of these free resources as you like!

A Perfect Wonderful Day with Friends

A big-hearted picture book about outdoor adventures on the perfect sunny, summer day. This cheerful book captures the warmth and fun of a spontaneous summer day with friends, where one lovely activity leads to another until they all go back home to bake a cake… View available downloads →

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Reviews

Wall Street Journal

“[A] calm, happy, perfect, wonderful day that young readers and their parents will find almost as nice as the real thing.”—Wall Street Journal

Booklist

“[T]his appealing picture book features friendly characters, a satisfying story, and a happy ending for all. . . . A rewarding choice for reading aloud.”—Booklist

Publishers Weekly

“The secret to happiness lies, this jovial book hints, in welcoming every new event and participating wholeheartedly.”—Publishers Weekly