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One Perfect Day
Featuring an original story about Princess Merida as well as illustrations by one of the artists working on the Pixar film, Brave, this jacketed picture book will appeal to little girls who want to know more about their favorite character.
40 pages, Hardcover
First published May 15, 2012
About the author
Steve Purcell
35 books35 followersSteve Ross Purcell is an American cartoonist, animator and game designer. He is most widely known as the creator of Sam & Max, an independent comic book series about a pair of anthropomorphic animal vigilantes and private investigators, for which Purcell received an Eisner Award in 2007. The series has since grown to incorporate an animated television series and several video games. A graduate of the California College of Arts and Craft, Purcell began his career creating comic strips for the college newsletter. He performed freelance work for Marvel Comics and Fishwrap Productions before publishing his first Sam & Max comic in 1987. Purcell was hired by LucasArts as an artist and animator in 1988, working on several titles within the company's adventure games era.
Purcell collaborated with Nelvana to create a Sam & Max television series in 1997, and briefly worked as an animator for Industrial Light & Magic after leaving LucasArts. He is currently employed in the story development department at Pixar. His main work for the animation studio has been with the 2006 film Cars and spin-off materials such as shorts and video games. Despite his employment with Pixar, Purcell has continued to work with comic books and came together with Telltale Games in 2005 to bring about new series of Sam & Max video games.
Purcell collaborated with Nelvana to create a Sam & Max television series in 1997, and briefly worked as an animator for Industrial Light & Magic after leaving LucasArts. He is currently employed in the story development department at Pixar. His main work for the animation studio has been with the 2006 film Cars and spin-off materials such as shorts and video games. Despite his employment with Pixar, Purcell has continued to work with comic books and came together with Telltale Games in 2005 to bring about new series of Sam & Max video games.
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
November 25, 2020
This is not a particularly exciting picture book, but the art is lovely, and it's Merida. I love me some Merida, and any kid who loves her will like this, too.
April 21, 2014
Merida is a princess. That means that she must act like a princess. She's not supposed to laugh too loud, roughhouse, or get messy. But, once in awhile, Merida gets a whole day to do whatever she wants. On these days, Merida takes off on her horse for an adventure in the Scottish wilds!
This is a very short, cute read. There isn't much of a story. It pretty much just follows Merida around during her day of adventure. I think it would be entertaining for very young children, especially if they've seen Brave and liked it. I love the illustrations in this. It looks like watercolors and I just love the movement and looseness that the medium affords. Merida's hair is awesome, and is just and wild and cool as it is in the movie.
While this was a cute book, it isn't one that I personally feel like I need to own. However, if your kids loved the movie, they might like this as well. It does have a subtle message at the end, about being yourself and being unique. I feel like that message is more of an afterthought than the main theme of the story though. The book is more about being curious and not being afraid to explore the world around you, which is also a good message. I'd recommend checking it out from the library first to see if this is something you want to own.
This is a very short, cute read. There isn't much of a story. It pretty much just follows Merida around during her day of adventure. I think it would be entertaining for very young children, especially if they've seen Brave and liked it. I love the illustrations in this. It looks like watercolors and I just love the movement and looseness that the medium affords. Merida's hair is awesome, and is just and wild and cool as it is in the movie.
While this was a cute book, it isn't one that I personally feel like I need to own. However, if your kids loved the movie, they might like this as well. It does have a subtle message at the end, about being yourself and being unique. I feel like that message is more of an afterthought than the main theme of the story though. The book is more about being curious and not being afraid to explore the world around you, which is also a good message. I'd recommend checking it out from the library first to see if this is something you want to own.
February 1, 2017
Merida doesn't relish the idea of being a typical princess and grudgingly struggles through her mundane day-to-day, but every so often she gets a day that's all her own to be herself over the Scottish hills and forests.
I picked this book up at the library primarily for me, mostly because I was curious about the artwork, and in this sense I was not disappointed. Written and illustrated by the film's co-director and art director, respectively, this is basically exploration of the character of Merida told through really beautiful illustrations. There's not much in the text, just a bit of spunk and sass and, um, some kind of resolution? I don't know, but it was inspiring to look at and the kids don't mind reading through it either.
I picked this book up at the library primarily for me, mostly because I was curious about the artwork, and in this sense I was not disappointed. Written and illustrated by the film's co-director and art director, respectively, this is basically exploration of the character of Merida told through really beautiful illustrations. There's not much in the text, just a bit of spunk and sass and, um, some kind of resolution? I don't know, but it was inspiring to look at and the kids don't mind reading through it either.
January 9, 2016
Merida is one of my favorite Disney princesses. She is brave and caring. She is also stubborn which can lead to unfortunate events but she tries her hardest to correct her mistakes. The book One Perfect Day is about Merida finally getting what she wants to do for a day rather than perform princess duties.
I loved the art in this book. It has beautiful colors! They are vivid and eye catching. Any depiction I have seen of Merida I like though, her character is so eloquent. I love her hair; it is wild and un-tamely just like her. The drawings looked like rough sketches from the movie.
I loved the art in this book. It has beautiful colors! They are vivid and eye catching. Any depiction I have seen of Merida I like though, her character is so eloquent. I love her hair; it is wild and un-tamely just like her. The drawings looked like rough sketches from the movie.
January 25, 2013
Featuring an original story about Princess Merida as well as illustrations by one of the artists working on the Pixar film, Brave, this jacketed picture book will appeal to little girls who want to know more about their favorite character and her Highland adventure.
-- Review posted above was not my own
-- Review posted above was not my own
June 4, 2021
Loved this book. Big fan of Merida and brave and this book was great! Awesome illustrations and colors. The story is somewhat what Merida does on her day off like in the movie, but written a bit differently. I loved it! I was hoping it wouldn't be exactly the same as the movie and my hope was granted! Check it out if you're a fan of Merida/Brave.
July 10, 2014
If you have a daughter who loved Disney's Brave and who thinks everything has to be about princesses, she will love this book. It is the story from Brave about how Merida likes to spend free days.
June 2, 2015
I thought I might read this book to my grandchildren, but I was not impressed. It deals with the Princess doing those things she loves, or she is herself.
November 26, 2025
I'm far beyond the intended target for this book, but I loved it. I loved how Merida reflects on the relationship between herself and her mother during her adventures, which really is the core of Brave. On top of that, the illustrations are beautiful.
November 19, 2018
Beautiful! And I'm glad it isn't the movie made into a book.
June 4, 2019
I loved the art and the story!
July 17, 2020
I enjoyed this book, with the princess going off into the woods by herself. The ending made no sense to me.
March 24, 2025
Paraphrasing the intro of the story basically, but the illustrations are gorgeous!
August 7, 2017
Maybe I'm being too generous with my rating because I love the film, but overall 'Brave: One Perfect Day' is another nice picture book for children.
'One Perfect Day' is written by one of the writers of Pixar's 'Brave', Steve Purcell (also known as the creator of 'Sam & Max'). It doesn't really have a plot, nor does it follow the events of the movie (it's like a first-act book, in truth). Its 33 pages consist mostly of Pixar's top princess, Merida, going out with her horse and exploring the medieval Scottish highlands, making POV observations along the way. One story similarity to 'Brave' is the rift between Merida and her strict, overbearing but kindhearted mother, Queen Elinor.
While at first the book may seem not to have a point, there are underlining messages in the end (that are similar to the film's messages). They include: stick to your family; be generous and considerate but also never give up who you are; all teachings will at some point in your life help you; and if you are to go out on adventures, make sure to bring home souvenirs.
There's also a very subtle theme of birth and rebirth, when Merida finds bird eggs, touches the powerful waterfall, and watches animals taking care of their young. She discovers new things; and not just from an old, dark kingdom she comes across...
The artwork is perhaps 'One Perfect Day''s main highlight. The use of watercolours is simple but lovely, and it especially makes Merida and her red hair stand out superbly with the green, blue, brown, purple and grey of DunBroch and its castle and far-off lands. The style shows off both her spirit and the spirit of the Scottish moorland setting.
And that cover. Merida is drawn with her amazing hair blowing in the wind, punching her fists in the air - whilst holding her bow - and shouting with jovial confidence - no doubt happy to have one day of freedom to do whatever she likes. Now THAT'S the Merida I know and love - not the sparkly, mild, make-up-and-shoulderless-dress-wearing petite princess Disney is marketing her as. Except: What's that stick protruding from under her dress? Is it meant to be her leg? Funny, considering that her father is the one with the peg leg. But joking aside, the cover is an eye-catcher (have I mentioned already that Merida's hair is something for sure!)
'Brave: One Perfect Day': Tame but beautiful in its own way; which makes it a fair companion to what I consider to be Pixar's most under-appreciated film. The book delivers what it promises from its title. I'm sure people who liked the film will find something to like in it. Or more specifically, kids who liked it will find something to like in it.
Well, I for one am glad to own the wee title. It is, to quote Merida's last line, "never, ever typical."
Final Score: 3.5/5
'One Perfect Day' is written by one of the writers of Pixar's 'Brave', Steve Purcell (also known as the creator of 'Sam & Max'). It doesn't really have a plot, nor does it follow the events of the movie (it's like a first-act book, in truth). Its 33 pages consist mostly of Pixar's top princess, Merida, going out with her horse and exploring the medieval Scottish highlands, making POV observations along the way. One story similarity to 'Brave' is the rift between Merida and her strict, overbearing but kindhearted mother, Queen Elinor.
While at first the book may seem not to have a point, there are underlining messages in the end (that are similar to the film's messages). They include: stick to your family; be generous and considerate but also never give up who you are; all teachings will at some point in your life help you; and if you are to go out on adventures, make sure to bring home souvenirs.
There's also a very subtle theme of birth and rebirth, when Merida finds bird eggs, touches the powerful waterfall, and watches animals taking care of their young. She discovers new things; and not just from an old, dark kingdom she comes across...
The artwork is perhaps 'One Perfect Day''s main highlight. The use of watercolours is simple but lovely, and it especially makes Merida and her red hair stand out superbly with the green, blue, brown, purple and grey of DunBroch and its castle and far-off lands. The style shows off both her spirit and the spirit of the Scottish moorland setting.
And that cover. Merida is drawn with her amazing hair blowing in the wind, punching her fists in the air - whilst holding her bow - and shouting with jovial confidence - no doubt happy to have one day of freedom to do whatever she likes. Now THAT'S the Merida I know and love - not the sparkly, mild, make-up-and-shoulderless-dress-wearing petite princess Disney is marketing her as. Except: What's that stick protruding from under her dress? Is it meant to be her leg? Funny, considering that her father is the one with the peg leg. But joking aside, the cover is an eye-catcher (have I mentioned already that Merida's hair is something for sure!)
'Brave: One Perfect Day': Tame but beautiful in its own way; which makes it a fair companion to what I consider to be Pixar's most under-appreciated film. The book delivers what it promises from its title. I'm sure people who liked the film will find something to like in it. Or more specifically, kids who liked it will find something to like in it.
Well, I for one am glad to own the wee title. It is, to quote Merida's last line, "never, ever typical."
Final Score: 3.5/5
July 18, 2012
Great tie-in book to the movie Brave. It is a good read for bedtime, great story time book. I liked the fact that this book did not give away a lot of the details in the movie. The illustrations are wonderful.
August 10, 2012
Cute! The artwork is great, and the simple narrative surprisingly good. I hate when movie-tie-in books blandly recap the movies, and this one didn't. It also focused on one aspect of the story rather than trying to tell too much in one book. I love her adventures with her horse. :)
August 25, 2012
While there is really no story to this book at all, it is a perfect complement to the movie, taking you on a ride through DunBroch with Merida on a day she has all to herself. I wish I could frame some of these illustrations! I will never get over how beautiful Merida's hair is, never.
October 7, 2012
Very simple, very short story based on the characters from the movie. The illustrations, rather than being stills from the movie, are lush ink and watercolors.
December 23, 2015
This got 5 stars almost for the illustrations alone. Absolutely gorgeous. The kiddos (and me) were enthralled.
June 3, 2015
Love everything about this book. The illustrations are wonderful. The message it carries is perfect for little girls (and boys). The text is minimal, so it is perfect for beginning readers.
September 27, 2016
drawn in by the illustrations, charmed by the story - of course, this is Merida!
November 4, 2016
Story was pretty meh, but I loved the illustrations!
November 5, 2013
Nice compliment to the movie with nice illustrations.
June 3, 2015
Beautifully illustrated children's book with a positive message for all.
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews