In a world where the days of the week come to life, Monday learns to let go of negativity and accept herself for who she is.
It’s pretty tough being Monday – you’re not named after a god like Thursday, and you’re certainly not a two-day party like Saturday and Sunday. Instead, you’re the start of the week, when people have to wake up early and head back to school and work. Monday even has a pile of complaint letters to prove that nobody likes her… but wait, what’s in that sparkly envelope?
Nobody Likes Monday is a story about the impact of people’s perceptions of ourselves, and the fact that we all have value; we just need to learn to see it. When Monday is feeling down, she tries to change, but only meets more dissatisfaction. It is only when she begins to see her own strengths and gifts that she finds joy in her role and in her life.
Told with vibrant illustrations and light-hearted humour, Nobody Likes Monday highlights the importance of self-acceptance and individuality. It emphasizes that everyone, no matter how they perceive themselves, has a unique value to offer, gently encouraging children to see beyond the negatives and to recognize their own talents and strengths.
Kelly Lee is a teacher, librarian and mum who loves nothing more than to read stories with her children and students. She has a wonderful husband, three cheeky children and a big fluffball named Kovu. Kelly lives in Australia and can see kangaroos over her back fence.
Amy Calautti loved to draw from a young age and often made up games based around drawing to entertain her younger brother and cousins. She now lives with her small tribe of humans who inspire her every day. Amy’s other books include Turning Cartwheels (also published by EK Books), Hector and his Highland Dancers and Mr Ming & the Mooncake Dragon (both Little Pink Dog Books).
Just So Stories
“This is a fun and simple way to encourage children to think about their differences and what it is that makes each of them special and unique – as well, of course, as doing all that practice with names of the days and ordering.”
Story Links
“The text is a joy to read. Through Monday’s journey, children aged 4 -7 learn about the days of the week in a most creative way, are encouraged to see their own talents and to accept that everyone has bad days and good days.”
Sunday Telegraph
“A positive affirmation of self-worth for young readers.”
Middle Grade Mavens podcast
“It’s such a great message to look for the positives in things. It’s a great fun book with deeper meaning to explore with older kids.”
Get Kids Booked (via Instagram)
“My kids really enjoyed seeing the days of the week turned into characters. They laughed at the stereotypes that were presented and also felt an emotional connection to Monday.
This narrative has the beautiful message that we need to realise our own strengths and gifts to find the joy in our lives.”
Buzz Words Magazine
“Kelly Lee’s quirky story brings to life the days of the week to gently impress upon readers aged four to eight that their sense of self should come from within, not from what others think of them. Monday tries to be something she’s not, which detracts from the wonderful things she is: a day of new beginnings, and a day of special moments. As kids giggle at the amusing scenarios, they will find the strength to turn away from negativity and embrace positivity.”
The Bottom Shelf
“This is a highly original story that not only takes the reader on a romp through the days of the week with all the activities that can inspire but also encourages some self-reflection on how we perceive ourselves. A valuable addition to any focus on mindfulness, emotional intelligence and positive mental health. ”
Midwest Book Review
“Nobody Likes Monday” is a charming picture book story about the impact of people’s perceptions of ourselves, and the fact that we all have value we just need to learn to see it.
Blue Wolf Reviews
“The delightful and humorous illustrations, (Monday wrapped in a towel cleaning her teeth) add greatly to this story. It is a good tool for teaching days of the week and how people perceive them. It also demonstrates how powerful, positive and thankful reinforcements can be. Lots of fun..”
In The Good Books
“This is a beautifully illustrated picture book that carries the important message of the impact of people’s perceptions of ourselves, and how letting go of negativity can change your life for the better. Nobody Likes Monday is a story about acceptance, and having the confidence to know your worth and believe in yourself.”
Love Four Reading
“This is a fun picture book that would work really well in classrooms as a #mentortext for students to write a persuasive writing task about what their favourite day of the week is and why..”
School Days Magazine
“Using days of the week to portray that others are better than yourself is an empathetic and clever way of showing readers that you are just as good if not better than others.”
Reading Time
“While encouraging self-reflection with our own strengths and talents, this book reminds us of the positives in our lives. Further values of kindness are encouraged”
Kapiti News
“A cute read with a special message”