The new picture book, “The Day No One Played Together (A Story About Compromise)”, written by Donalisa Helsley and illustrated by Sarah Harkey, is a beautiful, funny story about learning to be a good playmate.
As any parent of two or more children could tell you, compromise is not a concept that comes naturally to most kids. In fact, I wish I had a dime for every time I heard two kids arguing about what they want to play, only to have them both stomp away mad. Of course, when this happens both kids lose because they miss out on the fun of playing together. This is the lesson that the main characters in this book, Jadyn and Genesis, learn as they spend a lonely day playing by themselves.
However, there is hope for these sisters when their mother introduces them to the word compromise, teaching them how to play together as a team instead of constantly demanding their own way. With a little cooperation, Jadyn and Genesis learn that they can both play what they want, but do it in a way that doesn’t exclude the other.
This is a great story for children, especially siblings or friends who lack the skills for cooperative play. The illustrations are beautifully done, presenting a familiar family setting that children everywhere will be able to relate to. As a parent, I loved the fact that the author used her own children’s names and likenesses for the main characters. Knowing that Genesis and Jadyn are real kids adds an element of intimacy to the story.
Overall, this book is one I would recommend for any children who still enjoy a good picture book story. If you would like to find out more about the book or purchase a copy for yourself, please visit the author’s website, www.wildaboutreading.net.
