Where Does Thursday Go?

by Janeen Brian, Stephen Michael King (Illustrator)

Thursday is Bruno’s birthday, and he wishes it didn’t have to end. But Friday is coming, and he knows his special day will be gone in the morning. What will happen to Thursday during the night? Where will it go? And can Bruno and his friend Bert find it in time to say goodbye?
This touching, whimsical tale will strike a chord with anyone who wonders about things, and with anyone who has wished that a special day would last forever.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Storytime, Fiction

32 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2001

Reviews

[Reading_ Tamishly]

I love this one so much! And I totally enjoy narrating this! The illustration is so vivid and the storyline is so cute. I like the imagination and the curiosity perspectives. Awesome! I got lost in between the pages. Those stars got me😍

[Abigail]

A little bear named Bruno, reflecting on all the pleasures of his birthday - which happened to fall on a Thursday - begins to wonder where the day will go, when the next one takes its place. Where does Thursday go, when Friday appears? And so, in the company of his avian friend Bert, he sets out to find the answer, and to bid Thursday goodbye, before it has departed for good...

This Australian import really failed to impress me, and while I imagine that some young readers (and their parents) will recognize and identify with Bruno, and his questions about the nature of time, and its passage, I wasn't really drawn into the story in any significant way, and didn't find the conclusion very convincing. The strongest element here, and the reason I awarded three stars, rather than two, was Stephen Michael King's ink and watercolor illustrations, which were very sweet. Still, mileage varies, so literal-minded youngsters (if a day departs, it must surely go somewhere!) might still take to Where Does Thursday Go?.

[Kathryn]

A cute story about a little bear who loved his birthday so much he doesn't want it to end. So, he begins to wonder, what DOES happen to the day? Where does Thursday go when it becomes Friday? He and his bird friend set out on a nighttime adventure to find out. A fun little story from Australia.

[Lisa Vegan]

This is a slight little story, barely there, and sort of annoying, yet I kind of liked it. It’s fun to wonder about things such as this when you’re young. I think it would make a good birthday gift for a 3 to 6 year old, especially if their birthday that year falls on a Thursday. The illustrations of the nighttime are beautiful.

[Kyah]

Cute book, raises an interesting point but doesn't overall answer the fundamental question to any satisfaction

[Joseph]

So not now

[Claire]

I love this book. It is just so beautiful. The illustrations are beautiful and cute all at the same time. And it is such a lovely story. Wonderful!

[Jessica]

This one pulls the heart strings.
Again, the details in the illustrationsare wonderful.

[Gina]

I enjoyed this. My only regret is that I didn't read it in elementary school.

[Emily]

Illustrations- 4 Stars

Two friends go into the night to try and say goodbye to Thursday.

[Frans Kempe]

En björn reflekterar var torsdag tar vägen när det blir fredag.

[Jocelyn Hee]

I love this book! What a cute story exploring an inquisitive question! Splodge knows his birthday on Thursday comes to an end so he wants to say goodbye to Thursday and wants to find it and ask where it goes. The illustrations are so adorable. Each page is a night scene with Splodge and he just looks sooo cute on every page!

[Diana]

When I rad this to my storytime kids, I admitted to them that I had never really wondered about where the old day goes...but now I probably always will! That got a chuckle out of the parents. :) It's a cute story, and while not actually answering the question it posits, I found it enjoyable. Unfortunately, it did not keep the interest of my kiddos...too much blue in the illustrations, perhaps? In some ways, this almost reminded me of Happy Birthday, Moon by Frank Asch, and I can see creating a birthday storytime around these two books.

[Robert Beveridge]

Janeen Brian, Where Does Thursday Go? (Clarion, 2001)

Lovely little book about two friends positing the question in the title (one's birthday), and then setting off during the night to try and get an answer to it. While I'm sure there's some sort of overarching lesson to be had here, because one can't publish a kid's book these days that doesn't contain same, I was too busy having fun following the adventures of the bear and the penguin to think too much about it, which is a wonderful thing in kidlit—not only for the kid in question, but for the parent who may be asked to read it over and over. This one is quite good, and will stand up to those repeated readings; worth grabbing a copy for the kidlit bookcase in your house. *** 1/2

[Sandy Brehl]

This story captures the very real worry and wonder of young children. It also addresses the flip side of the many "waiting for" books by facing the reality that any long-awaited event must come to an end. The rich nighttime colors, scenes, and sounds are a soothing backdrop to the anxious dialogue. The way that Bruno and Bert resolved the riddle themselves makes this a wonderful bedtime book as well.

[Bbhelen]

I borrowed it for my 3-year old right after we celebrated her birthday b/c she kept asking me when her 4th birthday will come. This story is about a bear named Bruno who's wondering where his birthday (which happened to be a Thursday) went after the birthday party was over. He and his best friend, Bert decided to go out and looke for "Thursday" and say goodbye to it. The book ended in a surprising but heart-felt warm way. I was moved deeply by the story when I read it to my kids.

[Neko]

I find this book kinda hard to write about..

It is cute, it's aimed a little children.

Yet....

..the storyline is missing out on something, maybe a little weak. Perhaps if the story was a little stronger then the overal story would be more enjoyable.

I really looked at it for the artwork though :P Pretty cute artwork.

[Jasmine Berry]

Beautiful, whimsical illustrations and an unusual storyline make this an enjoyable book for my two children. They can both relate to wondering where the day goes, and enjoy the journey that Humbug and Splodge take to find out. You can view a recitation of this book on www.readtomychild.com.au Jasmine Berry

[Dolly]

This is an adorable book about birthdays and the passing of time. It's a great book to read aloud with any child who wishes that a birthday could last forever. The illustrations are cute, with muted bluish tones to depict the nighttime and is perfect for bedtime reading.

[Matthew]

This story of a bear who quests after the next destination of his birthday when he decides he enjoys it too much to let it end, is told using sparing description and humorous illustration. It was a very enjoyable read.

[Lin Lin]

Every child wants to keep his or her birthday as long as possible. In this case, Bruno wonders where Thursday goes after his birthday is over. Many geographical concepts are mentioned in the book and a wonderful book to share with younger readers.

[Anna]

So cute. After his birthday party a little bear wonders where Thursday goes and tries to find it in order to say goodbye. Fun for story time following a "days of the week" activity.

[Skylar Burris]

A fun look at the literalism of children.

[Cindy]

A great story to show your children how to end your birthday on a happy note. Great illustrations and loveable friends. We have to purchase this one.

[Nicole Sandford]

I think we all wonder where the day has gone. Only if you can find it by searching though the night for it. Grade 2.

[Nigel]

I thought this was a beautiful story and absolutely love Stephen Michael King's illustrations for this book.

[Xiaohui]

A book with fascinating illustrations and words!! Good read-aloud book for days of the week and other topics.

[Keris]

One of our favourites.

[Chelsea]

So cute! I always wonder about where the day goes when your having fun!!!❤️
Love this book and ADORE the illustrations!

[kurp]

Klimatyczne ilustracje, ale ta historia jest przecież kompletnie bez sensu...