The Wednesday Surprise

The twist on this one is pure perfection. Children quickly make the assumption that the grandmother is teaching the young girl how to read and that her improved reading will make a perfect birthday surprise for her father. But everything changes when it is the grandmother who stands up, takes center stage, and reads aloud. In the few sentences it takes to do this, your entire look at the book quickly shifts and it's very easy to get choked up as the grandmother reads to her son for the first time. The surprise also generates a lot of good conversation with kids in the classroom. I've read this book with kids of all ages, from kinder up through middle school and the surprise never disappoints. This is a fantastic addition to any classroom library or bedtime collection. Chris Bowen Author of, "Our Kids: Building Relationships in the Classroom"

I am a reading specialist in a middle school with a large population of second language learners and I love reading this book to my reading students. They are always so surprised that the grandmother is learning to read. It shows them that you are never too old to learn!

Annas dad was working.He is a truk worker.He was going to come in time for his birthday.Anna and her grandma where making a BIG surprise.Do you think dad is going to like the surprise?I wonder what the surprise is going to be? I like this book because it remainds me of a surprise of my own life.I felt so happy when my teacher Miss.Aubry read this book. I recommend this book to everybody that likes surprises.

This is a great book to read to children while asking them what they think the surprise is. There is a lot of visualization in this book that makes for thoughtful reading, as well as a delightful ending that leads to much discussion. A "requirement" for all libraries at home or school.

A beautiful story with an unexpected twist at the end. Nice art, and very realistic narrative by the precocious 7 year old.We appreciate the way it shows such a warm relationship between grandmother and granddaughter. We certainly hope that our girls will enjoy the same sort of friendship with their grandmothers.