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The Day You Begin by Jacqueline Woodson, illustrated by Rafael López
"There are many reasons to feel different. Maybe it's how you look or talk, or where you're from; maybe it's what you eat, or something just as random. It's not easy to take those first steps into a place where nobody really knows you yet, but somehow you do it.
Jacqueline Woodson's lyrical text and Rafael López's dazzling art reminds us that we all feel like outsiders sometimes-and how brave it is that we go forth anyway. And that sometimes, when we reach out and begin to share our stories, others will be happy to meet us halfway." -Penguin Random House (K-4)
Helpful Links:
Interview with Illustrator Rafael López: Includes many glimpses into the evolution behind López's illustrated for this book (This is a highly detailed post with excellent photos. This would be great for showing an artist's process when illustrating and having students try different methods that he mentions or shows, such as drafting in pencil, cutting paper, stamping, etc.)
Jackie Woodson Q&A: Answers questions about the book and the excerpt from her middle grade novel in verse Brown Girl Dreaming that inspired it.
Activity: Text-to-self and text-to-world connections (Reederama blog, many different prompts)
Activity: MC Baker's Art Connection: Scratch art
Teaching Guide: Many writing and drawing prompts related to emotions, empathy and sharing your story (The Curriculum Corner blog)
Read Aloud of The Day You Begin from Brightly's Miss Linda (7 mins)
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