Tuesday

       

Wiesner, D. (1991). Tuesday. New York: Clarion.

        When at first I quickly flipped through the pages of the children's picturebook entitled Tuesday, I was intrigued by the beautiful illustrations, so I borrowed the book.  After a closer look, I realized there was very little text, which only occasionally told the time of day and day of the week--and pictures, lots of pictures.  On the way to “read” the story to an almost-3-year-old, I thought this book might be a challenge or a let-down.  I was wrong.  At her request, we read the book 4 or 5 times, eventually with her telling the story to me, including dialogue.  She loved the book, and it was a delightful visit.

        Tuesday’s illustrations are printed from meticulously detailed watercolor paintings on Arches paper.  The style is realistic with a touch of whimsy and imagination, particularly in the human-like expressions on the faces of the animal characters.  Through his use of value, intensity and choice of hues, the artist achieves appropriate atmospheric effects for different times of the day and night, setting the stage for the action.  

        Fittingly described as a visual burlesque of the improbable, the plot opens with an expressive turtle observing something astonishing above its perch on a hollow log in a pond as the sun sets and the full moon rises.  We and the pond fish soon see an incredibly unusual sight: The frogs are sailing through the air on lily pad leaves!  They look like they are having a very good time.  The night air is filled with flying frogs floating over top of the town and houses.  Birds perched on the wires are not amused as they are frightened and chased by flying frogs.  At 11:21 P.M., a man sees frogs on lily pad leaves outside his kitchen window while he eats a sandwich.  The frogs' adventures include floating through an open window and down a chimney (luckily no fire) into the living room where a grandma, lap blanket, fuzzy slippers and all, has nodded off to sleep in her overstuffed chair while watching television.  A frog operates her remote control with its long tongue.  The frogs continue with their adventures until the morning sun’s light begins to show.  Then they leap from their lily pad leaves high in the treetops, letting the leaves fall where they will.  The frogs hop back to the pond and into the water.  Back in town, people and various officials gather to apparently try and solve the mystery of the pond leaves and water droplets scattered around on the streets.  The sandwich-eating man in his pajamas and robe gestures to the sky while talking to reporters. Then, “NEXT TUESDAY, 7:58 P.M.,” a different, no less incredible event takes place.   

     

        I recommend Tuesday for young children and early readers--and this adult thoroughly enjoyed the beautiful illustrations.  A big question from this story might be, “What if…?”  In addition to providing playful aesthetic entertainment, this book can encourage imaginative thinking, to ponder distinctions between what is improbable and what is not.  Another big question can be, “What program was the frog turning to with the remote control--or do you think it was turning the TV off?”