The Way to Start a Day

"The Way to Start a Day" received a Caldecott Honor in 1979. The book describes how people from different cultures around the world from many different time periods celebrate the sunrise. There isn't necessarily an overarching storyline, instead the reader is told to find their own way to celebrate their morning, while other cultures' morning rituals are shown. I actually think the lack of a plot aids the book's impact on the reader; being able to see these people from different times and places greeting the morning sun just like many of us do today is very powerful. Although every culture is different in how they start the day, waking up and looking up at the sky seems to be a universal experience. The illustrations are powerful in show more their own right; I can't tell what the medium of the art is (I think it's pen and ink), but the art style is extremely 1970s, though I believe this is a good thing. The extremely thin, loose lines and strong, contrasting yet harmonizing colors (I know that phrase logically doesn't make sense but if you see Peter Parnall's art you'll know what I mean) perfectly illustrate how it feels to be sitting by yourself at dawn, watching the sun rise. In all honesty, I didn't care too much for the text of the book, but the illustrations made me fall in love with it. I think that "The Way to Start a Day" is appropriate for all ages, since it not only teaches the reader about different cultures, but also encourages those reading to create their own way to appreciate each new day- a ritual that I think everyone needs in the stressful times we currently live in. show less

From looking at the first page, I thought this book would be written in a poetic style because the words are written in columns. The book is teaching the importance of honoring the sun by singing, giving flowers, and dancing to the sun. These actions help start a new day and honors nature properly. This book takes you on a quick journey around the globe. From Peru to Mexico and from the Congo to China, all these people greet the sun in ways unique to their culture. The illustrations are full of primary colors and have an Indian tone to them. I would read this to my class to broaden their knowledge of how other people view things we see everyday that we may not have learned to appreciate.

Probably the 5th time I've read this over the years. Makes me feel strong and brave every time... even though that's not the direct goal. I just love the team of Baylor and Parnall.

This can teach inclusion in the world because everyone looks at the same sky. In this book, people chant to the sun with music and singing. This makes readers not feel so alone in the world. The beauty of the skies color is illustrated in the ending of the book and makes me think of life's simple pleasures. The diversity of culture is conveyed through the skies illustrations, it had hidden pictures of people within particular cultures, the book speaks of Aztec people specifically as well.

The Way to Start A Day is a story about how people from around the world greet the sun in the morning. Those in Peru chanted, while those in China rung golden bells. This is a good story to read to children because it exposes them to different parts of the world, and the different traditions and cultures that are a apart of a place. Even though I am in college, I found this book to be pretty interesting. I did not know that people from around the world greeted the sun, let alone greet the sun in different ways.
As far as the art goes, I found it to have very calming illustrations. There were lots of red and yellow, colors that I found to be bright, yet soothing. I think the art brings the text to life. When Baylor writes about the sun show more coming up, and it is a new day... the illustrations made those words stand out much more. All in all, the illustrations added emphasis to the text. show less

This book is about the right way to start a day. Through out history, across the world, people would wake up in the morning and sing to the sun. They believed the sun had power and in order to appreciate and show respect to the sun, one must sing to it. The illustrations in this book use warm colors and help give the feeling of ancient times.There are many illustrations of the sunset and different nationalities giving thanks/respect to the sun. I enjoyed this book because not only does it incorporate history but also, the art is simple yet intriguing.

Primary to Intermediate
The way to start the day by welcoming and singing songs to the sun. It talks about how many different cultures all do this in different ways.
I'm not sure if I'd have this book in my classroom because I'm biased to poems that rhyme, and these poems don't, but I do love the vibrant illustrations.