“At the end of the day, sometimes everyone is exhausted. Or bored. Or in a mood.” There is a litany of additional reasons why the family in this story sometimes find the end of the day a challenge: homework, piano lessons, chores, “mismatched, stinky socks to pick up,” a shot at the doctor’s office, excitement over a newly delivered package that turns out to be for someone else—and boring, a fight with a friend, a missing puzzle piece, and more. At the end of a day, even small frustrations can feel huge. But small things can also turn feelings from frustration to delight, bringing moments of unexpected pleasure, “like the laughter that follows an especially good knock-knock joke” or when “that missing puzzle piece turns up after all.” A story sure to resonate with almost every child and family features a wonderfully paced text full of relatable details paired with lively illustrations following this multiracial family (Asian dad, Black mom) through end-of-the-day challenges and pleasures. The mom is in the military and shown on video calls until story’s end, when her return home is surely the biggest (not-so-) small thing of all.

A pitch-perfect story about a busy, exhausted, and loving family dealing with one obstacle after another in the run-up to bedtime, in the spirit of Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day.

At the end of a long day, sometimes it feels as if time will keep stretching endlessly. There are errands to run, homework to do, and toys to be put away. Sometimes it’s windy, and stormy, or downright boring. But . . . sometimes, with a little patience, the end of the day can be warm and cozy, surprising and exciting, and just right—filled with reasons to be grateful for the day you’ve had, and to look forward to tomorrow, too.