What's New, Daniel?

Daniel and his grandpa go to the park, and Daniel tries to find out "what's new." He asks rocks, birds, cattails, ducks, and more, and receives their answers - a lot is new, it's spring! Daniel has his own new things to report, and in turn asks grandpa what's new. A beautiful book about noticing and appreciating nature, but also your own accomplishments and sharing them with a loved one. What's most unusual is that Daniel models reciprocity by checking in with grandpa, too. I'm not sure I've seen that give and take with adults as much in picture books. Gorgeous artwork with so much texture and color that each page deserves a good long look.

Spring is here.

Daniel is an inquisitive tyke, and when Grandpa asks him what’s new, the investigation is on. Daniel searches all over a lush park nestled at the center of the city. Stunning illustrations rendered in acrylic ink and patterned paper collage depict a bright and richly textured world as the child climbs his favorite rock beneath the warm sun and hears the whistling of redwing blackbirds flying by. The cattails tell him that winter has come to an end, Mother Duck says that her babies are hatching, and Polliwog is growing legs. Snake, Squirrel, and Butterfly also add to the chorus of voices offering Daniel lively updates on what’s changing in the world around him. By the end, he’s more than prepared to answer show more Grandpa’s original question with details of the flora and fauna; he also tells Grandpa how his own recently discovered whistling ability, new tooth, and growing legs fit into the bigger picture of the natural world. “Now it’s your turn, Grandpa,” Daniel says, shifting focus as the book ends with a dynamic backdrop of park goers—human and animal—on a path beneath a tree canopy. Featuring appealing, child-centered text and lush visuals, this tale will surely lead readers to more adventurous investigations of their own. Grandpa and Daniel present Black.

A beautiful invitation to spring for the curious nature lover. (Picture book. 4-8)

-Kirkus Review show less

In this standalone sequel to Daniel's Good Day, Daniel goes to meet his grandpa in the park. Grandpa's greeting - "What's new?" sends Daniel off to investigate and observe. He converses with a big rock, redwing blackbirds, polliwogs in the pond, cattails, ducks, a snake, squirrel, and butterfly. Daniel returns with many updates to share, both about the natural world and about himself (like the polliwogs, his legs are growing too!). Archer's marvelously detailed collage artwork makes each page a place to stop, rest, and reflect.