This children’s book is an excellent read for kiddos who may be struggling to see the brighter side of life. This book encourages readers to not just look at all the things that went wrong during the day, but to look for the awesome things that are mixed in. I appreciated that they didn’t sugar coat that awful things will still happen- but that they don’t have to be our soul focus. There was an emphasis on family support as well. I loved the colorful illustrations and that people of all skin tones were represented.. As the mama to a young pessimist, I am thankful for books, such as this that help encourage him to look to the bright side.

‘Awesome of the Day’ is an adorable yet informative children’s book. Andrew has a habit for only noticing the not-so-fun aspects of life — bad grades at school, skinned knees, and challenges with his friends. With a little help, he is introduced to a different way of thinking. What would happen if he acknowledged the positive too? This book is a great introduction to mindfulness for children and helps them recognize that bad doesn’t outweigh the good. Really positive message throughout. In addition to the story, the illustrations were fantastic — my nephew and I enjoyed this book very much!

Andrew was having an awful day-after day-after day. Then his sister challenged him to find at least one awesome thing that happened to him each day. Slowly, he starts seeing more awesome things instead of awful things. Then a truly awful day happened to Andrew, but Andrew realized that his family was the most awesome thing of all.

Great message! I think this will encourage kids to start seeing the good in their day. I think even grown-ups could use this message too! I can’t wait to share this one with my first graders!

This poor kid just can't get a break! Ha, just kidding (but seriously though, you feel bad for the guy). I do think that the repeated awfulness of Andrew's days was a bit over-the-top, but it served its purpose of setting up the core message of the story. Speaking of the message, it was well-executed and very heartwarming! This book definitely teaches kids that not everything is going to be cupcakes and rainbows 24/7, but you can find the good buried underneath all of the bad. Andrew sets a great example for young readers to mirror in their own lives. Additionally, I believe that the message that the author chose is highly important - especially in today's world. I give major kudos to the author for equipping little ones with a skill that will help them immensely over time. Lastly, the illustrations were done beautifully, and I especially adored how the illustrator played with light and depth, which is highly impressive! Bravo!!

This was a sweet book with a great message about looking for the positives, but also knowing that sometimes those are hard to find, and it is okay to have a bad day. This would be a great book to read to a kiddo who might be having some hard days.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an electronic copy to read in exchange for an honest review.

Oh I LOVE this book! I can't believe I have to wait until the fall to obtain a copy but I know it will be one of the first books I read with my new students at the start of the school year. We all have bad days and sometimes the bad can be so overwhelming that it is all that we see. But there truly is awesome in every day. And on days when it doesn't seem like there - because bad days do happen, just having a support system that cares is awesome enough. The illustrations are beautiful and vibrant, the story is simple enough for young kids to understand but with enough depth that older kids will also appreciate it.

Netgalley ARC - an optimistic picture book that encourages us to find something (even if its small) that was awesome each day. Perhaps heavy handed but still cute and hopeful.

Ellen, this is SUCH a fun book! My four kids and I absolutely cherished each page. The characters were so fun and the concept of the story was wonderfully done. The pictures were great! Just an all around wonderful kids book.

A delightfully heartwarming story, to encourage a positive mindset.

When Andrew feels like everything is awful, his older sister encourages him to find an awesome each day. Andrew slowly focuses less on the awful things of the day and starts to see things a little differently.

The colourful and whimsical illustrations by Bhagya Madanasinghe, add to the beauty of this delightful story.

My children have enjoyed reading this story together many times and like to discuss awesome things throughout their day too.

With thanks to Two Lions and NetGalley for this e-ARC, in exchange for an honest review.

This book would be a delightful gift for children of all ages, to share the delight in each day.

This book will be an amazing addition to our elementary library. With all the negativity in the world it is nice to have a book to show kids how they can find the positive things everyday. Such an important lesson for us all.

This book introduces the concept of a daily gratitude for kids—a great way to remind them that even on tough days, there’s always something to be grateful for. I love how it uses the casual language of awesome vs. awful—a clever way to connect with young readers. The illustrations are engaging, and while it feels a bit mature for my 2.5-year-old, I think she’ll enjoy it/I'd feel comfortable reading it with her in a few years.

My only complaint is that the book describes brussels sprouts for dinner as being awful. And I do get it... but so many kids struggle with picky eating and even disordered eating. In my house, we’re very mindful about how we talk about food. I wish children’s books reflected that, too.

Great book for kids to encourage positive thinking. It's so important to support every child well being. I loved it. My daughter loved it. We will definitely re read together again

There is so much awesome in this book. It is a great book to help students process big emotions. I am trying to teach my kids to look for the good. This book helps reinforce that. The illustrations are fantastic.

I will absolutely buy this and read this to my class! My “awesome” of the day is such a great idea. I would love to add this to my daily or weekly routine at school, and even with my own kids at home. The illustrations would hook my students and they would also love reading this in the classroom library.

This book is all about teaching kids to look at the positive side of things rather than the negative. Loved the illustrations.

Andrew seems to be having awful day after awful day. When his sister asks him to think of one awesome thing that happened each day, his entire mindset changed. Awesome of the Day does such a great job at showing kids how to look for the positive things in life. Often times we can get so caught up in the negatives that we forget about the good things that happened. Taking time each day to appreciate the positive things that happened is so important! I absolutely loved the art in this book. I thought the art style and the colors chosen really helped convey the message and brought the characters to life. The pacing of the book was also great and I liked that there was tons of examples of good things that can happen in a day. I also loved the final message that sometimes really awful days do happen and that your one positive thing can be your family. I would absolutely recommend this book!

What a special book. This one will have a home on our family bookshelf for sure. For fans of Ms. Rachel’s song “Big Feelings Are Okay”, parents wanting to validate their kids’ “negative” feelings while still encouraging gratitude and reframing will LOVE this one. And I’m not going to lie, I shed a tear at the end. The illustrations are stunning too. This is not one to miss!

Thank you so much to the author/illustrator, Net Galley and Two Lions for the early copy in exchange for an honest review.

This book was very cute and had an excellent message for young ones. My son is still too young to understand the message, but I will happily read it to him again when he is older! The pictures are lovely and engaging, with such a positive message. I definitely recommend this book to read to youngsters!

This is such an AWESOME picture book! Ellen Javernick's story is hopeful, taking you on a journey to see Andrew's life with all it's ups and downs. I love how supportive his family and friends are, how often the pet cat and dog appear in the spreads, the things Andrew loves to do and all the things in his life that he finds AWFUL, which helps him see all the AWESOME things!

Bhagya Madanasinghe's illustrations are GORGEOUS and add more to the story with the use of colors, textures and details to the tress, flowers, poses, animals, birds, objects, everything that features in this book!

A very uplifting, cheerful picture book which help the reader see the little things in life that bring us joy!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Awesome Life Lesson

Andrew gives great examples of how it is so easy for the good to be negatively over shadowed. He teaches the readers an amazing life lesson that there is awesome all around us if we just pay attention.

The illustrations, done by Bhagya , pull you into the pockets of time in Andrews day. The picture appeal really synchronizes the visual elements with the scenes lesson seamlessly.

Considering the release timeframe of this book I think it would make a wonderful classroom gift right after school has started for the year or right before winter break for the new semester jitters. It’s such a universal message that this is hands down a year round purchase. This would also complement as a great home addition to read on the tougher days for reset of your little one’s perceptions.

I received a copy of this book from Ellen Javernick (Author) and Bhagya Madanasinghe (Illustrator). I am voluntarily leaving a review. All opinions are my own.