Sunday Week
What’s inside...
With charm and grace, this celebratory picture book takes young readers through the daily chores and activities of each weekday ― from hanging out the wash to jumping Double Dutch ― all in anticipation of Sunday. Once this special day finally arrives, it is filled with prayer, song and dance, savory food, storytelling, country drives, and most of all, family warmth and cheer. Dinah Johnson's vibrant, engaging language and Tyrone Geter's handsome illustrations joyfully embrace the faith and spirituality within an African-American community and beyond.
Age
4-7
Length
32 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
How do you think the character felt when their Sunday week adventure began? What makes you feel that way?
What was your favorite part of the Sunday Week adventure and why?
Can you think of a time when you had a similar experience to any of the characters in the book? What did you do?
If you could add one more day to the Sunday Week, what would it be like and why?
How do you think the story might change if it happened on a different week?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to express their thoughts and feelings about the book by paraphrasing their responses. This shows you're listening and value their ideas.
Use the discussion to connect the themes of the book with your child's everyday experiences. This reinforces learning and personal connection to the story.
Ask follow-up questions that relate to your child’s feelings and predictions during the reading, promoting critical thinking and empathy.
Create a comfortable and distraction-free environment during the conversation to keep your child engaged and focused on the book’s themes.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Embracing Diversity
Explanation: The story showcases characters from various backgrounds and demonstrates how they work together and learn from each other.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson in their daily interactions at school or in the playground by being open to making friends with peers who are different from them.
Example Lesson: Importance of Teamwork
Explanation: Throughout the book, characters must collaborate to solve problems, teaching children that teamwork often leads to success.
Real-World Application: This lesson is useful in group projects or sports, encouraging kids to value each team member's contribution.
Example Lesson: Resilience in the Face of Challenges
Explanation: The protagonist faces several challenges but keeps trying. This underlines the importance of resilience.
Real-World Application: Children can remember this when they face academic or personal challenges, understanding that persistence is key to overcoming obstacles.
Example Lesson: Creativity as a Problem-Solving Tool
Explanation: The book highlights how creative solutions are often the best way to tackle difficult situations.
Real-World Application: Kids can be encouraged to think creatively in their approach to homework or in resolving conflicts with siblings or friends.
Example Lesson: Joy of Learning
Explanation: Characters in the story express excitement and joy in learning new things, which can instill a positive attitude towards education in young readers.
Real-World Application: This can motivate children to explore new subjects in school or take up new hobbies with enthusiasm and an open mind.