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It's a no-money day

Kate Milner

4.61 · Rating details · 67 ratings · 22 reviews

"My mum works really hard and knows lots of fun things to do that don't cost any money.

But when there's nothing left in the cupboards we have to go to the foodbank.

Maybe one day things will be different..." ...more

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Paperback, 32 pages

Published October 15th 2019 by Barrington Stoke

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Average rating 4.61 ·

Rating details

· 67 ratings · 22 reviews

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Dec 18, 2019 Daisy May Johnson rated it it was amazing

Shelves: beautiful, brave, family, love, perfect, tearjerker

It's difficult to tell you how important this gentle, soft book is and so I hope you will forgive me if I jump straight to the punchline: It's A No-Money Day by Kate Milner should be on your shelves. And if you run a library or you are in a school or if you are anywhere that has shelves that are accessed publically, this book should be there twice over. We live in complex times that are often brutal for those living in precarious circumstances, and one of the duties of any librarian or educator It's difficult to tell you how important this gentle, soft book is and so I hope you will forgive me if I jump straight to the punchline: It's A No-Money Day by Kate Milner should be on your shelves. And if you run a library or you are in a school or if you are anywhere that has shelves that are accessed publically, this book should be there twice over. We live in complex times that are often brutal for those living in precarious circumstances, and one of the duties of any librarian or educator is to work to understand and support those in such a situation. To allow their stories to be heard, supported and understood. To allow the children living within such situations to be heard, to be seen. And having books like this on the shelf is important. It just needs to be there. It should be there.

We often work to privilege the adult within children's literature, to make ourselves feel better and be able to remember those times when the most important thing was what we're going to have for tea. Those times when nothing mattered but finding the perfect stick, or simply standing and staring for hours at the bright bright blue of the sky. And books like this challenge that sense of comfort - they challenge the notion that everything should be kittens and rainbows because they represent something else. A childhood that is experienced by a whole world of children every day, right now. The truth of an uncomfortable and sometimes quite horrific world. This isn't a book that channels Rousseau and puts the children in some unattainable Garden of Eden; this is a book that has curled wallpaper on the walls and mum silently crying in the background because she does not like going to the food bank.

I have such time for what Kate Milner does. My Name Is Not Refugee is a remarkable thing, deftly handled and sensitive and kind. It's A No-Money Day is similarly remarkable; Milner balances the hard truth of this story with some wonderfully intimate moments of kindness. This is a family on the edge but they are still a family full of love and heart for each other. They are human, and I think that's Milner's great gift. She finds the humanity in these painful, big stories and makes them accessible and real for very small people. And, I think, for big people too. There is something to be said here for the lessons that this book can give us all. It is important, it is awful, it is necessary. Milner is doing immense things here. ...more

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Dec 01, 2019 Alex Baugh rated it it was amazing

Shelves: picture-book, poverty, mothers-and-daughters, food-banks

The first Kate Milner book I read, My Name is Not Refugee, was about what life would be like when a young boy and his mother leave their homeland and journey to a safer country. The honest simplicity of both text and illustration of that book made it a powerful story for helping young readers understand and have empathy for the complexity that is the refugee crisis.

Now, Kate Milner has written another powerful picture book about different humanitarian crisis - poverty. The story begins when a y The first Kate Milner book I read, My Name is Not Refugee, was about what life would be like when a young boy and his mother leave their homeland and journey to a safer country. The honest simplicity of both text and illustration of that book made it a powerful story for helping young readers understand and have empathy for the complexity that is the refugee crisis.

Now, Kate Milner has written another powerful picture book about different humanitarian crisis - poverty. The story begins when a young unnamed girl wakes up hungry one morning and all there is for her to eat is a piece of toast, leaving nothing for her mother to have. It is, she explains, a no-money day for her and her mom, which also means it is a no-food-in-the-house day.

And even though the child knows her mother works hard for what they need, sometimes there just isn't enough money for everything. And a no-money day means a trip to the local food bank. It's clear the mother is humiliated to have to do this, but her daughter doesn't mind. At the food bank, she can eat biscuits and tell the lady who helps out all about the kitten she's going to get...someday. Back home, a day that begins hungry ends with full tummies, thanks to the kindness of others.

Poverty and hunger aren't usually the kind to topics that end up in a children's picture book, but it is important for kids who are more fortunate to have a window into the lives of those who are not so blessed, a lesson in charity, compassion, and understanding. And It's a No-Money Day succeeds in doing just that, without preaching. The story is simply told in spare text, but accompanied with textured line images, some full page, some only spot illustrations, and all subtly colored in drab hues. Milner has used the expressions on the faces of mum and daughter to illustrate their feelings - mum's emotions range from shame, and sadness to love for and playfulness with her child. Her daughter's emotions are more cheerful and reflect the hope she feels for the future.

It's a No-Money Day is a poignant book that should be read by everyone, especially now during the holiday season, when food banks traditionally run out of food quickly because donations are down.

The book is recommended for all readers
This book was purchased for my personal library
...more

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Oct 17, 2019 Jennifer rated it it was amazing

Shelves: read-2019, library-loan, non-fiction

Maybe not quite as profound as the Michael Rosen/Quentin Blake work on grief, but this book about being right out of money and going to the foodbank from the perspective of a small child is tremendously affecting: for its clever simplicity and poignancy.

The colours are washed out but not dreary, there are smiles (mostly the child's and the foodbank volunteers). Mum is sad, but perhaps not yet depressed, as some of the others in the queue look as though they probably are. The child is able to hav ...more

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Dec 10, 2019 David Litchfield rated it it was amazing

This is an absolutely beautiful book. I have read it to both my sons (3 and 7) a few times now. We talk about how lucky we are and how it's important to show compassion and love to others who may not be as fortunate as us.

It is of course absolutely disgusting that we live in a society that inspired this book, that far too many children will recognise themselves in the story. It makes me so angry to think that our current government chose to created such conditions for this book to be so needed a ...more

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Dec 11, 2019 Alison Wickham rated it it was amazing

Shelves: challenging-themes, diversity, family, moral-themes, understanding-emotions

Despite how much the mother tries, they are still short on money and need to use the food bank. It explains how life can be for those in poverty or in difficult situations. Definately explains the life that a lot of people do not understand. A great one for the classroom to promote understanding diversity and different realities.

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Oct 25, 2019 John-Mark Winstanley rated it it was amazing

This is such a powerful and hard-hitting book. It tells the story of a young girl growing up in poverty and the impact this has on her childhood. A visit to the food bank is particularly heartbreaking. Descriptions of her relationship with her Mum are incredibly moving.

I think this is a book all teachers should read - it captures the harsh reality that many of our pupils face.

WOW!

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Nov 23, 2019 Nick Swarbrick rated it really liked it

Realistically portrayed with an underlying lightness- the little narrator’s conspiratorial look when she plans to get a cat echoed in the foodbank worker’s glance - this is a child’s view of modern austerity. I would give it five stars but I shared it with someone who works with families in crisis who was less sure...

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Jul 15, 2020 I _teach_muggles rated it it was amazing

Given the current global situation and with many people facing drastically changing lives this seemed like the perfect opportunity to re-read and review It’s a No-Money Day. A powerful and poignant story that beautifully and sensitively portrays the hardships that mother and daughter face with limited income.

Despite mum’s best efforts, the money has run out and the cupboards are bare. Today is a no-money day. Yet that is no reason to be sad as this family prove. The daughter takes delight in all Given the current global situation and with many people facing drastically changing lives this seemed like the perfect opportunity to re-read and review It’s a No-Money Day. A powerful and poignant story that beautifully and sensitively portrays the hardships that mother and daughter face with limited income.

Despite mum’s best efforts, the money has run out and the cupboards are bare. Today is a no-money day. Yet that is no reason to be sad as this family prove. The daughter takes delight in all of her experiences and mum does her best to mask the true pain of the situation.

There are so many subtle clues as to the situation that the family find themselves in. The wallpaper is peeling off the walls, the careful counting of the pounds, the kitchen is bare, the cupboards are empty, the clothes hanging above the bed, the sharing a bed together - there are endless opportunities for discussion around these images. It is a read that will educate children about those that are less fortunate than themselves and should develop empathy and understanding.

There should be no shame in asking for help or benefiting from the generosity of others but you feel the pain for mum at her embarrassment of visiting the food bank - she just wants a better life for her daughter.

Whilst the situation that the family find themselves in is upsetting there is plenty of warmth and love in this book. The innocence of the girl when she gets to eat the last slice of bread for breakfast because, “Mum isn’t hungry,” the happiness that it brings both the mum and the girl is particularly touching. The visiting the charity shops to try on clothes and the sheer enjoyment of all the fun things that you can do at home with a little bit of creativity and imagination. And there is always the hope of things improving and even the thought of getting a kitten.

Despite all of the struggles that they face the family remain positive… “Maybe one day.” A book that all children should read and have the opportunity to discuss.

Recommended for 4+. ...more

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Oct 13, 2020 Eleanor King rated it it was amazing

Shelves: picture-books

This is a rare tale of poverty and hunger, which allows those living in difficult circumstances to have their stories heard, seen, supported, and understood in an accessible manner by their peers. It is not a happy book, despite having an underlying sense of comfort, kindness, and intimacy in the relationship between mother and daughter, but it represents the reality of many children right now. The characters are full of love and kindness, the girl full of hope, their humanity is evident, but th ...more

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Feb 26, 2021 Julie rated it it was amazing

This is one of the most well done children's books I've seen in ages. The illustrations are perfect and the book while written for kids to see themselves in a book, still is valuable for kids who never know a no money day. Well done. ...more

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Dec 09, 2020 Chloe rated it it was amazing

Shelves: ks1, ks2, picture-book, pshe

LOVED this book, it covers poverty so delicately. The wording, the illustrations. It's all absolutely fantastic! Couldn't recommend enough. ...more

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Oct 15, 2020 Tania added it

Shelves: a-random-choice-from-pile, kids-book, library-books

A much needed publication

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Aug 14, 2020 Emily rated it really liked it

Shelves: class-zebra

Ages 4 and up. A young girl whose mother is evidently on welfare explains what you can and can't do on a No-Money Day. You can read books from the library. You can make a cat out of your mom's clothes. You can try on crazy outfits at the second-hand shop. But you can't put money in the jar for a real cat. Or pick the food you get at the foodbank. The last line of the book declares that she and her mother are not hungry thanks to the kind people who donated to the foodbank. Foodbanks are controve ...more

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Feb 29, 2020 Charlotte rated it it was amazing

An incredibly well written, beautifully made book, about a child and their mother going to a food bank.

The illustrations remind me somewhat of those of Shirley Hughes, and I love them for it.

Whilst it makes me incredibly angry that this is a thing that actually has to happen in modern Britain, this book is quite simply brilliant. As someone who has worked in schools with large numbers of children whose families use food banks, and who as a child lived in a B&B for a year after my family lost ou ...more

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Feb 25, 2020 Sarah Bingham rated it really liked it

Brilliant book - can't wait to read it with my class ...more

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Jan 03, 2020 Georgina Peachey rated it it was amazing

Shelves: relationships, different-home-backgrounds, picturebooks

This book should be in every classroom as it reminds everyone of the struggles that can take place which may not be obvious. The book follows the perspective of a little girl who has to visit a food bank and knows that her mum does not always eat. This story can help children and adults a like to show empathy and compassion to others. I think it would be great across key stages as it could generate discussion and a whole scheme of work.

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Nov 08, 2019 Debbie rated it it was amazing

Sweet and heartbreaking. A difficult subject presented in a sensitive way. I grew up in a very similar situation in the 70’s and recognise many of the themes in the book. What really makes me angry is that we don’t appear to have advanced one iota from those days - and in many ways are going backwards. Should be required reading for everyone.

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Dec 03, 2019 Issy Williams rated it liked it

Shelves: picturebook, family

This book is well-intentioned and has a good message, but I found it hard to take sincerely since the author only did surface level research for My Name is Refugee. I'm not sure what she did for this book but I hope she has a deeper connection with it. ...more

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