Customer Reviews

Just for Today

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
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1 star:		(0)

 

 

all our busy families occasionally took time to JUST enjoy each other's company. This simple, yet inspiring, read aloud will make children yearn for days just like that and, hopefully prompt harried moms and dads to take time to savor the families they've created. The delightful verse of the story comes joyfully to life with bright, fun, water-colored illustrations. This is a book to read over and over.

Alison Bonds Shapiro illustrates the radical story of a Bear family who decides to defy an increasingly busy world by turning off phones, faxes, and more. Beginning with parents promising a day free of nagging to bear cubs who decide to hide all the clocks, Just For Today by Jan Phillips evolves into a fun and thought-provoking picturebook story.

Just For Today is a delightful little book. It is about the kind of a day that many children dream about, when daily stress is gone and the hours are sweet with sharing and being with loved ones. There is time to pay attention to the lovely things in life and chores are put aside for a time. This is a sweet winsome book and I am sure children would enjoy it very much. I think this is a "read it again" story. There is a message for the grown-ups too, maybe spending time with loved ones is more important than getting everything done. The illustrations are beautiful -- a very special little book.

Wouldn't we all just love a day with no work, rules or responsibilities? I would!
This tale of a day off from everything but family just shines with love. The text is deceptively simple, speaking to how often we are weighted down with dozens of reasons NOT to just be with those we love, and the watercolor illustrations are whimsical, bright, and beautiful. Have your child, (or grandchild) look for all the bears' shoes when they decide to go barefoot (bearpaw?)
This is a book you'll read over and over; it will be the answer to "what shall we read tonight?" for years to come.

"So just for today... We'll breakfast on popcorn, and talk about our wishes. We'll make some paper airplanes soar and forget about the dishes." -from the book

In an increasingly busy world, Mama and Papa Bear have proposed a radical plan: just for today, the Bear family and their pets are going to do absolutely nothing but have fun and enjoy one another's company.

Choosing to ignore the laundry, turn off the telephone, and postpone bills and taxes, the Bear family indulges in a day of pleasure: squishing clay, playing dress up in funny hats, pretending they're opera singers, walking barefoot in the grass, juggling jelly beans, splashing in puddles, and riding bikes until dark are just a few of the wonderful activities they share.

Illustrated in gentle watercolors, Just for Today reminds us of the importance of quality time with loved ones and the inherent value in exchanging the demands of life with silly games and relaxing pastimes.