Just One of Those Days: 3 (A Bear Family Book, 3)

We always love Jill Murphy books. There's something so comforting about the style of illustration. And there are loads of little details to spot, making each reading interesting.The language flows well and makes the story easy to read aloud.This book starts with a sleepless night, which leads to a bad day for the whole family. It's a very gentle version of a bad day - none of the fighting or yelling that characterise bad days in my house. But, it ends positively with a takeaway and plans for an early night - which is very relatable!It's a lovely story, but it's also a good jumping off point for talking about your own bad days and how to get through them.

One of my favourite picture story books of all time is  Peace at Last  ~ Ms Murphy just seems to illustrate(!) everyday events so well, IMO.Out of stock, but at Amazon quicker than originally indicated, Christmas has come early for me with this gorgeous hardback version with matching dustjacket, for my forever shelf.There is a space to claim ownership of this brand-new Jill Murphy title just inside the front cover, and I already have!A snatch is shown in the 'LOOK INSIDE' facility above, along with some stock images, both at the time of writing.Measuring around 28.5 cm x 23 cm, the cover picture is enhanced with the three bears in a shiny finish that neatly reflects the light effect. Even the curtains look like they have a velvety finish!The titling is in shiny gold colouring that catches in the change of light, matching the ‘A NEW JILL MURPHY CLASSIC’ sticker.The durable hardboard cover opens to 26 quality pages, with the story running for 22 across double page spreads, except for the first & last. The full-page coloured illustrations have a semi-shiny finish and there is the added bonus of some idyllic black & white illustrations dotted around, breaking up the text, which is clear in black.ooOoo~ TITLE: JUST ONE OF THOSE DAYS~ AUTHOR/ILLUSTRATOR: JILL MURPHY~ PUBLISHER: MACMILLAN CHILDREN'S BOOKS~ 2020‘Printed in China’From the back cover:‘It had been a long night…so Mr & Mrs Bear woke up late.’ooOooWe have all had them…’one of those days’ that generally follows a bad night’s sleep, and, in the story, nothing goes right for all three bears at work and at nursery.They discuss the downs of their day over a pizza (and is that a glass of wine Mrs Bear has in paw?) in front of the tv, after an extra-special surprise for Baby Bear.The aforementioned dustjacket/cover illustration, with Mr Bear and his paw on the alarm clock, is indicative of the usual skilful illustrations that are littered with things to talk about, including emotion from the variety of meaningful facial expressions![9 images attached ©Jill Murphy & MACMILLAN CHILDREN'S BOOKS/2020]

I fell in love with the Bear family many years ago with "Peace At Last" and "Whatever Next". Here at last is another instalment about the Bear Family in a gentle story we can all recognise - a bad night's sleep is followed by "Just One of Those Days" where nothing goes right for Mum, Dad and Baby Bear. This book is full of beautiful colour pictures, with a multitude of line drawings around the text. Jill Murphy has a wonderful ability to portray warmth and light; the dawn glow spills into the room at the start, light bounces off Dad's shiny shoes, and the golden glow of a bedroom lamp lights Baby Bear to sleep. The facial expressions are magical and the situations very recognisable. The pictures are a treasure trove of things to discuss; Baby Bear's teddy is looking at the reader towards the end and I can almost imagine what he's thinking. The story is fun for sharing with lots of appeal for the children (spot the dinosaurs and the unicorn t-shirt) and sympathetic nods of understanding to parents. I thought it was wonderful. Welcome back to the Bear Family!

Peace at Last and Whatever Next are such classics which I never tire of reading to young children so I was really excited to see that Jill Murphy had finally penned a new Bear family adventure.The charm of this story is how relatable it is. Nothing spectacular happens, there's no great adventure or any shock twists, it's just a wonderfully normal story about an ordinary day where everything goes a bit wrong. It's important for young children to know that we all have days like that, and it's comforting for them to hear a story about such ordinary events (getting up late after a restless night, going to nursery and following the usual routines, becoming upset by everyday toddler annoyances. Then coming home, slipping into pjs and relaxing with pizza, followed by playing with a new toy which makes the hassles of the day melt away into a distant memory).It's the fact it is so normal that makes it such a sweet tale. If I'm honest I don't think it'll ever be the classic that the original Bear family stories are, as sequels so often aren't, but it's a lovely story all the same.

My 3 year old granddaughter absolutely loved this book. I didn't know when I ordered it that the story features a toy dinosaur; as dinosaurs are something that my grandaughter is mad about it made this book a resounding success. It's a lovely story reflecting many aspects of family life today.

Who doesn't love Jill Murphy books but sometimes they feel a little more like my childhood than that of my own children. This is different. Feels more modern .. mum off to work, dad doing bedtime stories etc and feels familiar to me and my children in a way they love. Has also been nice to reflect when we have had 'one of those days' and the positive note that tomorrow is another day ...Lovely feel of a classic for modern family life.

My grandchildren loved this story. Great details in the pictures . Showing and expressing the story as you tell it. Amazing book for young ones