Pajama Day

by Lynn Plourde, Thor Wickstrom (Illustrations)

It's Pajama Day at school, when everyone in Mrs. Shepherd's class wears fuzzy slippers, eats a special breakfast snack, and lies down for reading time. Everyone, that is, except Drew A. Blank. Drew has forgotten his slippers, his snack, his teddy bear, and his pillow-he even forgot to wear pajamas! Drew would forget his own name if he didn't have it written on his hand as a reminder. He doesn't want to be the odd man out, so he comes up with all kinds of ingenious ways to join in the day's events. But later he has the nagging feeling he's forgetting something else. . . . Will he remember what it is in time?

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, School, Realistic Fiction

40 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2005

About the author

I write kids' books--talk about a FUN job! I worked for 21 years as a speech-language therapist in Maine schools. When I got married, I got 3 & 4-year-old stepsons as part of my ready-made family. I read the boys picture books at bedtime. They fell asleep after 2 or 3 books, but I kept reading stacks and stacks of picture books and started to dream . . . maybe I could write picture books. I was already writing educational books (listening & speaking ideas for the classroom), but PICTURE BOOKS--that was different!

Different, and sloooooow! I had 13 years of rejections before getting my first book published, Pigs in the Mud in the Middle of the Rud, and I still get more rejections than acceptances--even after having more than 40 books published. So I'm still an author-in-training--learning to be a better author all the time.

I LOVE writing, the whole creative process. I also LOVE sharing my books with kids at schools: doing interactive readings, turning one of my books into a play, and teaching students how to plan and write different kinds of stories (i.e. problem stories, character stories, graphic novel scenes, fables) modeled after my books.

I love to try new kinds of writing such as poetic stories, a biography, a graphic novel, and more. Writing new kinds of stories is a challenge, but it makes writing fun and keeps me interested in the process.

Reviews

[Gus · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought it was fine. I didn't like that they were wearing pajamas all day because you are not allowed to do that.

[Nancy Kotkin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Story: 5 stars
Illustrations: 5 stars

Mrs. Shepherd is one of my favorite fictional teachers. It's Pajama Day for her class, but Drew A. Blank forgot. Mrs. Shepherd encourages him to participate anyway. What Drew lacks in memory, he more than makes up for in creativity. Enjoyable story. Illustrations extend the text and offer surprises. The ending explains the reason for Drew's forgetfulness.

[Christine Fran · Rating 4 out of 5]

My children seem to adore this book and request it each night. Drew A. Blank, as his name implies, is an obviously forgetful child who, despite numerous attempts to jolt his memory, forgets the necessities of a successful Pajama Day at school. His teacher reassured him that he is still able to participate, but Drew contrives alternatives for fear of being the “odd man out.” We come to discover the reason for his inability to recall important information and perhaps it can be viewed as a cautionary tale for parents who overly commit their children to extracurricular activities at a young age.

[Kristen Dutkiewicz · Rating 3 out of 5]

All children love the thought of a pajama day

[Anthony · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story of forgetful Drew A. Blank, and how he survived pajama day at school, and not be the odd person during all the activities planned for the day.

[Devynn Turner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great author! I remember reading this book when me class would be rewarded with a pj day for good behavior!

[Kaley Coburn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Silly book in which students will easily connect to the main character

[Ms. B · Rating 3 out of 5]

What happens when Drew A. Blank forgets its Pajama Day in Mrs. Shepherd's room? Answer - a lot of creativity

[KhiN’Millie Friesen · Rating 4 out of 5]

"It was funny. I liked that he kept forgetting and being creative."- Khi

[Rosa Cline · Rating 3 out of 5]

A class was having a pajama day but a little boy that never can remember anything forgot his pjs for the day. But with having forgot all the items he forgot he made up for it with things he found with the help from the cafeteria lady, and his teacher. But during the quiet reading time when everyone else was sleeping he couldn't go to sleep because he kept thinking he forgot something he tossed and turned and finally he remembered and when he did everyone woke up with a start! And sure enough he woke them up just in time to catch the bus or everyone would have missed the bus home. Cute book of accidents that turned out okay.

[Meghan Meehan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lynn Plourde's books were some of the first that I picked up in my Children's Literature class and I couldn't be more happy about that. I love the fun word choice, the illustrations, and the upbeat characters. I will definitely be reading her books with my future elementary classroom - this one especially. So fun and playful!

[Moriah Keen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This wonderful book would be good for kindergarteners through 3rd grade. This book is repetitive that little kids can figure out what will happen next. It can also relate to students that are extremely forgetful.

[Heidi Goehmann · Rating 5 out of 5]

We like this series so much as a family that we went to the library and promptly checked out all the books they had by the author. Adorable, detailed, precocious.

[Shelli · Rating 4 out of 5]

Today is Pajama Day!! Which is always an exciting day for any elementary student, and Mrs. Shepherd’s class is no exception. The entire class has shown up for their day of learning dressed in their best sleep wear, armed with their pillow, teddy bears, and favorite “night time” snacks. All the students that is except Drew A. Blank, who despite his numerous reminder notes and posits (placed precariously all over his body and backpack) completely forgot to wear his jammies to school. He is determined to not miss out on all the fun and finds creative ways to participate.

[Catherine Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun story about a forgetful boy who thinks on his feet when he arrives at school without his pajamas.

Lots of fun words and sounds: 'double fudge'. I love the name Drew. A. Blank. Lovely verb usage. It is a good visual story with lots of kids in pajamas. All children like pajama days anyway so they can relate to the fun aspect of pajama day at school.

[Tricia · Rating 2 out of 5]

Drew is obviously overscheduled and can't seem to remember what day it is or "his own name if it hadn't been written on his hand as a reminder". How sad! The book is cute in the aspect of the creativity used to meet each thing that he has forgotten but sad in the respect that the child is just plain stressed.

[Shaley Dunn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is so cute! It is about a little boy that forgets everything. But instead of being upset about it he finds a way to make sure he has all of the things he forgets. He is very creative and makes a bad situation into a good one.

[Sydney Cornett · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this aloud to my 5th graders and they loved it! it is a great read aloud and can be very relatable since we all have our days of forgetful moments. The students laughed and we really enjoyed it! I highly recommend it!

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

My three year old son loves this book. The reason I also love it is because it has a repetitive story and kids figure out things about life with this book. My son remembers the story. A very good basic story about making due, and also trying to remember tasks.

[The Brothers · Rating 3 out of 5]

Drew A. Blank (har har) is a very forgetful little boy. He forgets everything he was suppose to do in relation to pajama day. Even so, he's quite resourceful - and not wanting to be the odd man out - he figures out to participate in everything.

Okay illustration.s

[Jessica Schasteen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think this book is a book that a lot of kids can relate to. Drew forgets so many things and just figures out a way work with what he had. The story is funny and entertaining. I really think that kids would enjoy reading this.

[Michele · Rating 3 out of 5]

Drew A. Blank forgot about Pajama Day at school. Drew is terribly forgetful, yet incredibly resourceful.

Slight indictment of parent over-scheduling child.

[Luisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

We absolutely loved this book. It was very funny. I recommend you reading it to you children.

[Jennifer · Rating 1 out of 5]

Perfect example of the over scheduling of today's children... So sad (and the book almost seems to portray this as the child's fault....)

[emyrose8 · Rating 5 out of 5]

So cute! This would be the perfect book to read on a Pajama Day at school for 1st or 2nd graders.

[Kiki Langberg · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute illustrations. I really enjoyed the puns and Drew's ingenuity. This is a great book for a pajama storytime.

[Zonia · Rating 4 out of 5]

A cute tale of a forgetful boy.

[Robin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another likeable story from this author/illustrator team.