A Perfect Day
Picture a shining sun, a cool wading pool, ample birdseed, and a golden corncob. Individually, these are the things that cat, dog, chickadee, and squirrel encounter that result in their definition of a perfect day. Little do they know that these small luxuries are the perfect remedies for a hot, hungry, tired bear. Adults and children will love the surprise ending when reading A Perfect Day for the first time, and will enjoy the anticipation of bear’s arrival during each re-read!
Pennsylvania Center for the Book Awards
Book Activities & Discussion Ideas
After reading the story with children, talk together about the characters in the story. Use a chart to write down each animal and their idea of a perfect day. What other animals could be added to the list? What types of things might create a perfect day for those animals? This activity could be extended to include friends or family members. Another fun story extension would be to make a bird feeder or birdhouse, or simply set out some birdseed and watch from a distance to see what happens. Children will have fun observing, and might even catch a critter having its “perfect day!”
Before reading A Perfect Day together, adults can encourage children to make predictions about the story. After looking closely at the book’s cover, adults can ask children what they think is going to happen. Why do they think the title of the book is “A Perfect Day”? Families can talk together about their definition of a perfect day. What types of things would they do together? At the end of the story, adults can talk to children about the bear’s actions. Was he trying to ruin the perfect day for the other animals, or was he just enjoying his own perfect day?