Bad Day Sunshine by Daniel Branley

A sweet and caring picture book about overcoming sadness with community and connection

Everybody has bad days, even if it doesn’t look like it. The happiest kids in class—the ones surrounded by friends and laughter—can feel blue just like the kids sitting off to the side at recess. So what can we do to help?

Read them Bad Day Sunshine by Daniel Branley! This rhyming picture book oozes with love and affection, inspiring kids to make a difference in the lives of those around them and to find the brightness in each and every day. 

Handling negative emotions is difficult for adults, let alone children. It can feel like we’re left out, like the happiness of the world is passing us by, but Bad Day Sunshine teaches us that we can connect with others to connect with our own happiness. 

This kindhearted picture book is lovingly illustrated by Annely So, an artist with a knack for soft color palettes and bright fun. Each scene is simple, often taking place at school or preschool, bringing color and vibrant life to everyday scenarios. So provides plenty of sweet images for your young ones to engage with while learning of the invaluable advice Branley brings in the poetry. 

Bad Day Sunshine’s characters—Sam, Rosie, Cameron, and Renee—all have their own unique characteristics and models of behavior surrounding their bad days. Sam is shy and lonely, desperately wanting to be picked for basketball. Rosie feels anxious and feels all alone when her dad leaves too early. Then Cameron and Renee appear happy-go-lucky on the outside, but they’re struggling with their own problems: grief and being bullied. The characters aren’t lumped together; they’re as unique as children are. And all it takes is a little support and love from their fellow students to break them out of their slumps. Rosie offers to play with Sam, while Cameron writes a kind note to Renee who’s feeling down about her glasses. 

This is a wonderful blend of moralistic storytelling. We are lulled into the rhythm of easy-flowing poetry and an engaging story about kids helping one another get through their hard days, while hammering home the point of community, of shared negative emotions, and helping their fellow student. 

I don’t have a single bone to pick with this book. If you’re a guardian or teacher looking for a kids’ book about overcoming sadness and loneliness, Bad Day Sunshine is an easy, effective choice. The team of Branley and So have found a special kind of picture book magic with this one; all we can hope is that the team isn’t done yet.