The Day You Begin

by Jacqueline Woodson

Other authors: Rafael Lopez (Illustrator)

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1,819	163	9,455	(4.57)	6
Other students laugh when Rigoberto, an immigrant from Venezuela, introduces himself but later, he meets Angelina and discovers that he is not the only one who feels like an outsider.

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Showing 1-5 of 161 (next | show all)

Independent Reading Grade Level: K-3

jenhodges14 | Dec 7, 2023 |

Independent Reading Level: Grades K-3
Honors/Awards: Jane Addams Peace Association
2019 Winner Book for Younger Children
2019 Floyd’s Pick Book Award Winner

mkoch22103 | Nov 27, 2023 |

Inspiring and artistic picture book that reminds us that we all feel like outsiders at times, but if we are brave and reach out to others, tell them our stories, they will meet us halfway. This is when we can make new friends and enjoy what we have in common and discover those wonderful things that we don't have in common. A beautifully written and lovely illustrated book that reaches out to touch your heart. (

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DeborahMc | Jul 25, 2023 |

Compelling story for award winning Jacqueline Woodson. In the beginning, Angelina is nervous, the class has new faces she listens to a new boy in the school and many classmates who brag about the places they flew to. Angelina is nervous until she starts sharing about all the places she went to in her stories over the summer sharing with her sister. (

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DebbyTaufernerVa3492 | Jun 19, 2023 |

Description: Encouraging self-acceptance and embracing differences, this book celebrates the courage it takes to be yourself and make new friends.
Age Group: 4-8 years

DanielSA | Jun 12, 2023 |

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▾Published reviews

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In The Day You Begin, Rafael López’s illustrations marry with Jacqueline Woodson’s text to create the perfect visual experience of growing from an outsider to finding the courage to connect with others “a little like you [but] so fabulously not quite like you at all.”

added by g33kgrrl | editThe Horn Book, Inc, Erika Long (Nov 20, 2018)

Woodson’s gentle, lilting story and López’s artistry create a stirring portrait of the courage it takes to be oneself: “There will be times when you walk into a room and no one there is quite like you until the day you begin/ to share your stories.”

added by g33kgrrl | editPublishers Weekly (starred review) (Jun 11, 2018)

A bright jewel-toned palette and clever details, including a literal reflection of a better future, reveal hope and pride in spite of the taunting. This reassuring, lyrical book feels like a big hug from a wise aunt as she imparts the wisdom of the world in order to calm trepidatious young children: One of these things is not like the other, and that is actually what makes all the difference.

added by g33kgrrl | editKirkus Reviews, starred review (Jun 11, 2018)

Award winning team Jacqueline Woodson and Rafael Lopez have created this new picture book and it is even more perfect than we anticipated.

added by g33kgrrl | editBiracial Bookworms, Bethany M. Edwards

The soft, evocative illustrations introduce us to characters who live these situations alone, before realizing that they can connect across, and because of, the identities and experiences that make them unique.

added by g33kgrrl | editRethinking Schools

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Author name	Role	Type of author	Work?	Status
Jacqueline Woodson	—	primary author	all editions	calculated
Lopez, Rafael	Illustrator	secondary author	all editions	confirmed

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▾Awards and Honors

Awards

BCCB Blue Ribbon Book (Picture Books – 2018)

Black-Eyed Susan Book Award (Nominee – Picture Books – 2020)

California Young Reader Medal (Nominee – Primary, Grades K-2 – 2021)

Charlotte Huck Award (Recommended Book – 2019)

Charlotte Zolotow Award (Highly Commended Title – 2019)

Colorado Children's Book Award (Nominee – 2020)

CSMCL Best Multicultural Book (2018)

E.B. White Read-Aloud Award (Honor Book – Picture Book – 2019)

Flicker Tale Award (Nominee – Young Readers – 2021)

Floyd's Pick Book Award (Winner – 2019)

Georgia Children's Book Award (Finalist – Picturebook – 2021)

IBBY Honour Book (2020)

Jane Addams Children's Book Award (Winner – Books for Younger Children – 2019)

Ladybug Picture Book Award (Nominee – 2019)

Monarch Award (Nominee – 2020)

North Carolina Children's Book Award (Nominee – Picture Book – 2021)

Ohioana Book Award (Winner – Juvenile Literature – 2019)

Pennsylvania Young Reader's Choice Award (Nominee – Grades 3-6 – 2020)

Red Clover Book Award (Nominee – 2020)

Star of the North Picture Book Award (Nominee – 2020)

Three Stars Book Award (Nominee – Young Readers – 2020)

Volunteer State Book Award (Nominee – Primary – 2021)

Notable Lists

Los Angeles Public Library Best of the Year (Children's Books – 2018)

The Best Children's Books of the Year (2019)

Best Children's Picture Books of the Year in Spanish (2019)

CCBC Choices (2019)

Chicago Public Library Best of the Best: Kids (Picture Books – 2018)

El día de los niños / El día de los libros (K-2 – 2020)

Evanston Public Library 101 Great Books for Kids (Picture Books – 2018)

Good Books for Bright Kids (Beginning Readers (Pre-K-Grade 1))

LitWorld Staff Picks

NCTE/CLA Notable Children's Book in the English Language Arts (2019)

Nerdy Book Award (Fiction Picture Books – 2018)

Notable Book for a Global Society (2019)

Notable Children's Book (Younger Readers – 2019)

Penn GSE's Best Books for Young Readers (Selection – Picture Books – 2018)

Picture This Recommendation List (Fiction – 2019)

Read Aloud Indiana Book Award (Upper Elementary – 2020)

School Library Journal Best Book of the Year (2018)

Teacher Favorites Award (Primary Readers (Grades K–2, Ages 5–8) – 2019)

Tejas Star Reading List (2020)

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▾Book descriptions

Other students laugh when Rigoberto, an immigrant from Venezuela, introduces himself but later, he meets Angelina and discovers that he is not the only one who feels like an outsider.

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Book description

National Book Award winner Jacqueline Woodson and two-time Pura Belpre Illustrator Award winner Rafael Lopez have teamed up to create a poignant, yet heartening book about finding courage to connect, even when you feel scared and alone.

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