Iris van der Heide

I like this story because the illustrations are so interesting. The story has an unexpected plot, but for me the illustrations steal the show. The writing is well paced throughout the story. The plot continuously builds without Jack, the main character, even being aware. The story would be engaging for young readers. Each page is a new surprise about what is going to happen to Jack on this peculiar day. For example, Jack starts by saving a baby without even being aware. He then wins a soccer game, saves a bird and is able to save a dog without consciousness of any of these actives. What I really love about the story is how much the illustrations are able to enhance the story. Even though a lot is happening in the actual plot, even more is happening in the illustrations. The illustrations also allow the story to become more engaging for the reader. One important element of the illustrations is that the reader is able to see what the mailman is enduring to return a letter to Jack. The illustrations are almost conducting their own story parallel with the written words. The illustrations allow the reader to see the true despair in Jack’s face, and how he would be able to complete all of these tasks without being aware. When Jack gets home he is still so involved with himself that he is not even able to comprehend how he could have helped all the people greeting him on his front lawn. When Jack comes home he assumes that everyone is there to congratulate him on his victory in the art competition, when in fact they are there to thank Jack. I think a message that can be learned from this story is that even when one is having a bad day they can still positively impact someone else’s day. Young students should remember that not every day is going to be great, but even when days aren't going as planned they can still be positive in the end. Jack thought he was having a horrible day, but really he was helping everyone around him to have a better day.… (altro)