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On Our Way! What a Day!
A journey, a challenge, and a party with Gram make one day super special for a group of siblings.It’s Gram’s birthday, and the grandkids can’t wait to celebrate with her. There’s just one thing a gift! So on their way to the party, the search is on. They spot lots of interesting things—a scritchy-scratchy pine cone, three jingly-jangly quarters, some clicky-clacky stones—but are any of them good enough for Gram?Fortunately, there’s no quashing the enthusiasm and creativity of these siblings, who have a marvelous time scouting and singing as they shimmy over to Gram’s, making the journey its own celebration. Their combined discoveries will make this a very special day indeed!This dynamic story shows the big impact a thoughtful gift from the heart can have, no matter how small it might be.
32 pages, Hardcover
Published January 7, 2025
25 people want to read
About the author
JaNay Brown-Wood
50Ìýbooks63ÌýfollowersJaNay Brown-Wood, PhD is an award-winning children’s author, educator, and scholar. Her first book Imani’s Moon won the NAESP Children’s Book of the Year Award, and her second book Grandma’s Tiny House: A Counting Story received a starred review from Publisher’s Weekly and won the CELI Read Aloud Book Award. She has several poems published including Falling Leaves in the poetry anthology Thanku: Poems of Gratitude (Lerner/Millbrook, 2019) a Chicago Public Library’s Best Informational Books for 2019, an American Library Association Notable Children’s Book, and a Notable Children’s Book for the Global Society. She has more than seven forthcoming books including Shhh! The Baby’s Asleep (Charlesbridge, forthcoming 2021), Where in the Garden a four-book series (Peachtree, forthcoming 2021, 2022, 2023) and Jam, Too (Nancy Paulsen Books/Penguin Random House, forthcoming 2023). She is represented by the fabulous Karen Grencik of Red Fox Literary. Learn more about her here at or follow her on Twitter @janaybrownwood.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
February 24, 2025
Six grandchildren head out to celebrate Gram's birthday. One problem - no gift! They decide to look as they make their way across town. They find lots of things - scritchy-scratchy; jingly-jangly; tippy-tappy; blaring-booming; clicky-clacky; swishy-swashy things. No gift for Gram, though. But wait! What can they do with all those things they found? Make a song, of course!
Gram loves the song and the gifts but the best gift is having the grandkids come for a visit. I relate!
Another great read-aloud! It has a wonderful rhythm.
Gram loves the song and the gifts but the best gift is having the grandkids come for a visit. I relate!
Another great read-aloud! It has a wonderful rhythm.
April 13, 2025
On Our Way: What a Day! by JaNay Brown-Wood is a joyful and rhythmic picture book that celebrates the excitement of family adventures and the beauty of everyday moments. As a college student focused on inclusive education, I appreciated the book’s diverse representation and positive portrayal of a loving family dynamic. The vibrant illustrations and fun, engaging language make it a great read-aloud for young children. It’s a wonderful reminder of how meaningful even simple days can be.
January 20, 2025
A large family makes their way to their grandmother's house for her birthday. They look for a present along the way but come across things they want instead. When they arrive, though, they realize that they can use those things they picked up to make music for their grandmother and enjoy spending time together.
The onomatopoeia and repetition/pattern here is fun.
The onomatopoeia and repetition/pattern here is fun.
January 22, 2025
Six siblings gather different materials that happen to make sounds and music on their walk to see their grandmother on her birthday. When they get there she plays along with them using the items they found on the walk. I liked the incorporation of music and rhyming, repetitive text. Would be good for a music or family ST.
February 15, 2025
3 stars (I liked it)
This story is fun and inviting. It follows a group of kids on their way to grandma's for her birthday. I liked that they are making instruments from found objects. I like the feeling of love conveyed though the book. I didn't really care for the actual text though.
This story is fun and inviting. It follows a group of kids on their way to grandma's for her birthday. I liked that they are making instruments from found objects. I like the feeling of love conveyed though the book. I didn't really care for the actual text though.
February 16, 2025
Another beautiful release from JaNay Brown-Wood!
April 18, 2025
Cute rhyming story about how six kids head off to see their gram on her birthday picking up gifts on the way.
May 23, 2025
STEAM activity...making an instrument out of a variety of items?
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
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