Tomorrow's Lily

by Chris Raschka (Author) Chris Raschka (Illustrator)

Tomorrow's Lily
Reading Level: K − 1st Grade

This exquisite and deeply moving picture book by two-time Caldecott Medal-winning artist Chris Raschka explores concepts of friendship, growing up, generosity, empathy, love, and time. Tomorrow's Lily is a perfect gift book for readers of all ages, as well as a terrific choice for bedtime.

A daylily blooms for just one day, opening when the sun comes up and closing when it sets. In Chris Raschka's extraordinary garden, seven daylilies bloom for others during the course of a sun-drenched week--for example, Monday's lily blooms for the baby, and Saturday's lily blooms for friends. The lovely and lyrical text underscores the value of living in the moment, caring for those around you, and being mindful of nature.

Two-time Caldecott Medal winner Chris Raschka introduces young readers to the concept of time--the days of the week, the span of a life--as well as to more spiritual and emotional concepts such as friendship, empathy, generosity, caring for others, and love. With a soothing text and stunning illustrations, this gentle, innovative, and educational picture book is an excellent choice for story-time sharing as well as gift giving.

Select format:
Hardcover
$19.99

Kirkus

Brave to its core, this is a book unafraid to ask for whom will you bloom during your one wild and precious life.

Publishers Weekly

Starred Review

Watercolor lilies, which each "bloom/ for just/ one day," blossom for varied subjects across a week's time in these spring rhymes addressed to "pretty lily." Establishing the short lifespan of the genus ("You open in the sun,/ and close at the moon,/ and your lily life is done"), prayerlike lines proceed day by day. Monday's flower blooms for a rabbit infant, Tuesday's "for the cat," and onward through Sunday. Creamy pages form the backdrop to the naif-style florals washed in sunny reds, yellows, oranges, and blues, while docile-seeming garden creatures, including a turtle, duck, and bunny, look on. When closing pages draw a connection between lilies and people ("Just like lilies,/ we come and we go"), they lend a gravitas that resounds long after Raschka's tender concluding plea: "Precious lily,// bloom for me." Ages 4-8. (Feb.)

Copyright 2023 Publishers Weekly, LLC Used with permission.
Classification
Fiction
ISBN-13
9780063049376
Lexile Measure
-
Guided Reading Level
-
Publisher
Greenwillow Books
Publication date
February 13, 2024
Series
-
BISAC categories
JUV039060 - Juvenile Fiction | Social Themes | Friendship
JUV039050 - Juvenile Fiction | Social Themes | Emotions & Feelings
JUV051000 - Juvenile Fiction | Imagination & Play
JUV009070 - Juvenile Fiction | Concepts | Date & Time
JUV029040 - Juvenile Fiction | Science & Nature | Flowers & Plants
Library of Congress categories
Animals
Picture books
Stories in rhyme
Life cycles
Days
Daylilies

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