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At the End of the Day
“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. ©2025 Cooperative Children’s Book Center
Illustrated by Lynnor Bontigao
Wisconsin author
Lisl Detlefsen graduated from UW-Madison and currently lives near Wisconsin Rapids.
CCBC Age Recommendation: Ages 3-7
Age Range:
Babies/Toddlers (birth – 3)
PreK-Early Elementary (Ages 4-7)
Format:
Picture book
Subjects:
Families
Frustration
Multiracial Characters/Families
Soldiers/Military
Surprise Endings
Diversity subjects:
Asian
Brown Skin Unspecified
Publishers:
Knopf, Random House
Publish Year: 2024
Pages: 32
ISBN: 9780593378632
CCBC Location: Picture Book, Detlefsen