Raj and the Best Day Ever

Here's a funky Father's Day book featuring an utterly adorable little tiger and his rather nattily dressed dad...
Sebastien Braun's awesome "Raj and the Best Day Ever" is the perfect book to settle down with before Dad gets his head into the footie / his phone / trying to set himself on fire with the barbecue.

Yep Father's Day is upon us on Sunday and what better pressie than a brilliant book like this.

Raj the Tiger and his Dad are going on an adventure. They are both very excited and they plan a list of all the things they will do.

But then, disaster strikes! Dad has left his wallet at home and Raj thinks their day will be ruined.

But maybe Raj and Dad can still have a perfect day. All they need is their imaginations and each other's company. Sometimes truly the best things in life really are free.

This picture book celebrates the relationship between a dad and his son with warm, tender artwork from the illustrator of Spinderella. We really love Seb Braun's work, beautifully polished and colourful stuff.
We loved the positive dad in this book, a book-loving adventurous fellow with an upbeat outlook on life.
Fantastic stuff!

* Reading Daddy *

Raj and the BEST DAY EVER! tells the heartwarming story of the day that a little tiger, Raj, spends with his dad. When my daughter was younger she always gave her dad a picture book for Fathers' Day and this story would make the perfect Fathers' Day present.The Story: Raj and Dad make a list of everything they would like to do on their day out together but as they leave the library Dad discovers he has forgotten his wallet. Their plans change but Raj and Dad discover that they can have fun together without spending any money.Raj and the BEST DAY EVER! celebrates the power of imagination and shows the pleasure and entertainment that children can create in familiar surroundings. Raj and Dad can't go to the city farm, the gallery or the cafe but they come up with some fabulous alternatives to their list. They 'ride a tractor', create their own art and make boats to sail down the river. We love the way that all of the activities they undertake require only natural items and and imagination. In an age where screens play a large part in many childhoods this is a wonderful story to encourage a child to go out and observe and experience the world around them.
The strong bond between Raj and Dad is beautifully shown in everything they do and say and during the story they support and comfort each other as well as having fun. Their day starts with a long walk during which Dad encourages Raj to look at everything going on around them. Dad's acceptance of Raj as a superhero, a trip to the library and the inclusion of so many parents and children enjoying being outside all add to the appeal of this lovely story.
We absolutely love Seb Braun's illustrations which are colourful, wonderfully busy and include many different animals working and engaging in their daily activities. My daughter likes the picture that Dad and Raj make in the park, it's such a simple and fun activity that children can do using natural items. I love the double spread showing the walk to the library, there is so much activity to talk about and it reminds me of the Richard Scarry spreads that I pored over as a child. The endpapers are particularly fabulous and you can see more of Seb's illustrations here.
Raj and the BEST DAY EVER! is a lovely celebration of a father / son relationship. The story, narrated by Raj, is wonderfully child centred and the details in the pictures can encourage lots of discussion about what characters are doing. The endpapers could be used to stimulate a game of 'I Spy' which will help to develop observational skills, colour recognition and counting.
We really love this story and hope that Dads everywhere will have a Happy Fathers' Day

* Story Snug *

Father's Day is always the perfect opportunity to buy a new book for daddies and little ones to snuggle up with. As fate would have it, Raj dropped through my letterbox just in time.
Raj and Dad are very excited about heading off on an adventure and have big plans and a long list. All goes well as they spot lots of lovely things on their walk to library. Raj chooses a very exciting book about superheroes when, uh oh! Dad can't find his wallet! All their plans are ruined. Or are they?
A warm and familiar, beautifully-illustrated story about enjoying life's simple pleasures and the power of using your imagination to turn everything around into an adventure.
A great read and the perfect gifts for slightly careless dads everywhere.

* Library Girl and Book Boy *

Raj and his dad are going on an adventure. They have written a list of all their ideas and Raj knows it will be the best day ever! Starting with choosing a new book at the library, they'll drive a tractor at the city farm, watch the boats go up the river, visit the art gallery, go to the cafe and come home on the bus.

Raj helps Dad to pack everything into his green monster backpack and they set off. But disaster strikes when they get to the issue desk at the library - Dad has forgotten his wallet! Not having any money means that they can't do the things on the list. But what threatens to be the worst day ever is transformed by the power of imagination and Dad's ingenuity.

This is a delightful picture book which celebrates the relationship between father and child in a warm and affectionate story. The bright, expressive pictures are full of detail, with several busy scenes which should give lots to talk about, and humour, including the reactions of the monster backpack to some situations. Perfect for Father's Day, but also one to share at any time with children of 3+.

* Reading Zone *

Meet young and entirely lovable tiger, Raj and his cool Dad.
They've drawn up a plan of the adventure they're about to embark upon and are super-excited about the whole enterprise. Then it's a case of back-pack packed and they sally forth.
First stop the library and book chosen, it's time to show your library card. Oh NO! Disaster! Dad hasn't brought his wallet. Without that all the things on that list have just flown out of the window so to speak.
Raj is convinced that their perfect day is ruined before it even begins., especially as down comes the rain.
Time to get those imaginations powered up ...
Off they go and before long, it looks as though the day might just be rescued,but then the wind whisks their list up and away and in Arnold Lobel's Frog and Toad style, Raj fears that without their list, they won't know what to do.
Good old Dad! Imagination rules again and off they go once more.
With a wonderful twist in its tale, Sebastien Braun's story is an absolute winner. Sadly my copy arrived too late for Father's Day but this is a perfect share on any day: a Dad who's willing to pitch in and enjoy life no matter what; a book enthusiast offspring equally willing to look on the bright side - two colourful characters superbly portrayed by Seb Braun whose books just keep on getting better.
This one could be the perfect distraction from that seemingly wall to wall soccer and it's a cracking demonstration that companionship and imagination are all that's needed for the very best day ever: no money, no technology, just free-flowing fun.

* Red Reading Hub *
Sebastien Braun is a talented illustrator and author who we are big fans of. His work has previously featured on the blog Can you say it too? Growl! Growl! Raj and the Best Day Ever is his latest picture book release and my girls and I think it is super.Raj and his super Dad are a fantastic duo who just happen to be tigers. They plan an epic day and are both really organised with a list made of where they want to go and a bag packed filled with everything you might need, when out and about with a young one. I am pretty sure these familiar scenes of preparations before heading out will have many adults nodding away.Their first stop is the library and of course a library card is needed to take Raj's favourite book out but...Dad doesn't have his wallet!It is clear to see that Raj is a tad disheartened by his Dad forgetting his wallet and of course this could have a big impact on their plans! However, Raj's Dad is pretty fab and is determined to not let this change their day of fun. He has to think quickly on his feet and the activities that both of them subsequently do together are full of imagination and Raj loves them.From pretending to drive race cars to nature play, Sebastien Braun shares lots of ideas through the story that will have many children wanting to try them too. One of my eldest daughters favourite parts of the book is when Dad makes a portrait in the park using all things nature. She loved it so much that she made her own art work of a great day she has had with her dad in the park.We continue to enjoy this brilliant picture book. The book is relatable, it is colourful and has a rather funny ending. It also reminds adults and readers that spending time and not money and playing together can make the most memorable days ever. * Mamma Filza *

Raj the tiger cub and his dad
are going on an adventure.
They make a long list of
everything they would like
to do - visit the library, go to
the city farm, watch boats,
go to a cafe and a gallery and
catch the bus home. The
trouble is, when they are out
Dad realises he has left his
wallet at home. Raj soon
finds that what he thought
would be his 'worst day ever'is his best day. They have a
picnic instead of visiting the
cafe; they make a picture
from natural materials to
make up for the missed
gallery trip. It is a lovely
reminder that the best things
in life really are free.
There are pictorial maps
so children can follow Raj's
planned journey. Children
might feel inspired to draw
their own imaginary map of
a day out - how many free
ideas can they think of?
The detailed illustrations
encourage observational
skills so that children can
talk about what they see in
Raj's physical environment
as well as discussing his
feelings. How does Raj
feel when he discovers
his Dad has forgotten his
wallet? Have children ever
felt disappointed about
something? Can they talk
about what happened to
them?

* Early Years Educat