I wanted to share some of my favorite books about the Days of the Week with you. I hope these book suggestions help!
Cookie’s Week
Cindy Ward and Tomie dePaola
One of Tomie DePaola’s most popular young picture books, this charming story about Cookie the cat makes a perfect read along. With its bright watercolor illustrations and one sentence of text per page, toddlers will love following Cookie through the days of the week—and seeing all the trouble he causes around the house!
The Very Hungry Caterpillar
Eric Carle
The Very Hungry Caterpillar is a much loved picture classic book by Eric Carle. A newly hatched caterpillar eats his way through all kinds of food, getting bigger and bigger, until eventually he turns into a beautiful caterpillar and then into a butterfly. One of the most popular picture books of all time.
Today is Monday
Eric Carle
String beans, spaghetti, ZOOOOP, roast beef, fresh fish, chicken and ice cream are the delicious fare during the week until Sunday in this popular children’s song. Then, all the world’s children are invited to come together and share in the meal. Celebrated artist Eric Carle brings new energy to these much-loved verses as lively animals parade across the page, munching on favorite dishes, and introducing young readers to the names of the days of the week.
The Wolf Who Wanted to Change His Color
Orianne Lallemand and Eleonore Thuillier
The Wolf is in a very bad mood. This morning, he does not like his color anymore! He really wants to try another one, just to see what it’s like to be like someone else. It seems to be a good idea, but how can he change his color? The Wolf will ask himself many questions about who he really is.
I Had a Favorite Dress
Boni Ashburn and Julia Denos
As the year passes, the narrator’s favorite dress goes through a series of creative changes, from dress to shirt to tank top to scarf and so on, until all that’s left of it is a good memory. Structured around the days of the week, the story is also illustrated to show the passing of the seasons.
Mr Wolf’s Week
Colin Hawkins
Learn the days of the week with Mr Wolf, as he dresses up for the weather and sets off each day for another hilarious adventure.
What Riley Wore
Elana K. Arnold and Linda Davick
Riley knows just what to wear for every occasion during a busy week with family and friends. On Monday, Riley feels shy and wears a bunny costume to school. On Tuesday, a scary trip to the dentist calls for a super hero cape. For a trip out with Otto and Oma, a ball gown is the perfect outfit. This charming picture book is a gentle exploration of self-expression and source of encouragement for being true to oneself despite the expectations of others.
Pitter Pattern
Joyce Hesselberth
Patterns are everywhere! This gorgeously illustrated book introduces readers to basic patterns in nature, music, sports, art, language, and math. Lu and her friends love spotting patterns in their daily activities. Lu learns that patterns can be found at soccer practice, during her piano lessons, in dance class, at snack time, and even at the park! How many patterns can you spot as Lu goes about her week?
5 Little Ducks
Denise Fleming
Five lucky ducklings are doted on by a loving Mama and Papa Duck. Featuring a flock of so-adorable ducklings, this delightfully fresh take on the classic Five Little Ducks nursery rhyme emphasizes numbers and the days of the week.
The Big Five
Bella Makatini
Danny is spending the week with his grandpa who has a painting of five animals. Observing the painting, young Danny will learn amazing stories about the animals and their place in his grandfather’s homeland. « The Big Five » is a sweet celebration of family and introduction to some perennially popular animals.
Seven Blind Mice
Ed Young
Based on the Indian fable of the blind men and an elephant, the book tells the story of seven mice who, each day, explore and describe a different part of the elephant. “It’s a pillar,” says one. “It’s a fan,” says another. One by one, the seven blind mice investigate the strange Something. And one by one, they come back with a different theory. It’s only when the seventh mouse explores the whole Something – that the mice see the whole truth.
Someday Is Not a Day of the Week
Denise Brennan-Nelson
Follow the tale of the young Max, and his quest to spend quality time with his parents and family. Max looking for “Someday” on his calendar and realizing if it did exist, it would surely be the busiest day of the week. A tale of love and the importance of family.
One Monday Morning
Uri Shulevitz
In this cumulative story, a little boy imagines that a king and queen and their entourage return each morning of the week to visit him. Every day, the royals return with a grander, more colorful entourage in their wake, but still the boy isn’t there to greet them. Inspired by the famous rhyme “One Monday morning the king, the queen, and the little prince came to visit me. But I wasn’t home… ”
Busy Builders, Busy Week!
Jean Reidy and Leo Timmers
In this bright, bold picture book, animal characters are building a brand-new playground in a park for their community! Each day of the week contains a different construction plan. Tuesday! Pipe and boards and bricks day. Stack, spin, pour it in. Wednesday! Load day! Hoist, haul, pull it all. The construction project comes together for a joyful, rhyming walking tour of a neighborhood, where young readers can learn the days of the week while watching everyone work as a team!
Queen Vernita’s Visitors
Dr Dawn Menge and Bobbi Switzer
Queen Vernita invites twelve wonderful friends to visit with her during each month of the year. They enjoy fun activities throughout the Oceaneers Kingdom. Children will learn the monthly calendar, days of the weeks and seasons through the storytelling adventures of Queen Vernita and her friends
Mrs. Honey’s Hat
Pam Adams
Why is everyone staring at Mrs Honey’s Hat? With large, clear text, a repetitive refrain and a strong emphasis on days of the week, this book is ideal for early readers.
Monday is One Day
Arthur A. Levine and Julian Hector
One by one, the days of the week roll by. Monday is one day, Tuesday is blue shoes day, and Wednesday is halfway day. When Saturday and Sunday finally come, it’s time for little ones and the adults who love them to play and share. Every day of the week offers a special opportunity for families to enjoy being together!
Perfect Square
Michael Hall
In brilliant, innovative collage artwork, Michael Hall illustrates how a happy square transforms itself after being cut into pieces and poked full of holes ! Time to become a burbling fountain! Torn into scraps? Grow into a garden! Day after day, the square reinvents itself, from simple and perfect to complex and perfect . . . and always happy.
Freedom in Congo Square
Carole Boston Weatherford and Gregorie Christie
As slaves relentlessly toiled in an unjust system in 19th century Louisiana, they all counted down the days until Sunday, when at least for half a day they were briefly able to congregate in Congo Square in New Orleans. Here they were free to set up an open market, sing, dance, and play music. They were free to forget their cares, their struggles, and their oppression. This poetic, nonfiction story about a little-known piece of African American history captures a human’s capacity to find hope and joy in difficult circumstances.
Saturday
Oge Mora
In this heartfelt and universal story, a mother and daughter look forward to their special Saturday routine together every single week. But this Saturday, one thing after another goes wrong – ruining story time, salon time, picnic time, and the puppet show they’d been looking forward to going to all week. Mom is nearing a meltdown…until her loving daughter reminds her that being together is the most important thing of all.
