A gentle, poetic celebration of everything a single day can hold—perfect for sharing with the youngest readers.
In All in a Day, Newbery Medal–winning author Cynthia Rylant invites children to slow down and notice the small, meaningful moments that fill a day—from planting a seed and watching it grow to experiencing both joy and disappointment along the way.
Told in simple, lyrical verse, the story captures the idea that every day is a “perfect piece of time,” full of possibilities that won’t come again.
Parents and caregivers are drawn to the book’s calm, rhythmic language, which makes it especially well suited for read-alouds and quiet moments. The spare text leaves room for conversation, reflection, and repeat readings—qualities that many readers find both soothing and memorable.
The book’s distinctive cut-paper illustrations by Nikki McClure are a standout feature, using bold shapes and a limited palette to create images that are striking yet easy for young children to follow. Simple scenes of nature—a sprouting seedling, falling rain, a fragile egg—visually reinforce the book’s themes of growth, change, and renewal.
A New York Times bestseller, this beloved board book brings the story’s reassuring message into a format perfect for little hands: a reminder that each day offers something new to try, something to learn, and always another chance to begin again.