Winston has his brightest, yellowest sweatsuit on today as this day is special, after all, it only comes around once a year. As he heads off down the street he bumps into Elsie. He asks her, ‘Do you know what day it is?’ Elsie replies, ‘Thursday!’ as she wanders off. Then Winston meets Henry, and he asks, ‘Do you know what day it is?’ Henry has a look of panic. ‘Oh no, it’s not Christmas already?!’ as he scurries away.
As Winston meets his friends and asks each if they know what day it is today, he becomes a little gloomy. No-one remembers.
Then he meets Miles. ‘Psst!’, Miles says from around a corner. He asks Miles if he knows what day it is, but Miles ignores his question and yanks him behind a wall. Miles is on a top secret mission and needs Winston’s help! What ensues is a very stealthy adventurous mission where they must hide in all sorts of places and situations to avoid detection.
After wearing disguises, pretending to be a juggler, climbing to the tree tops where Miles says he is sure he can see his headquarters, hiding in bins and more, Winston becomes a little bit annoyed. What could this secret mission actually be?
Winston’s Special Day is such a lovely story, full of humour, especially as Miles takes Winston on his mysterious mission. Evans’ illustrations are soft but full of emotion, and funny, as we get caught up in the adventure. It’s also a story of something precious, friendship. You can’t help but smile as you read it.
Reviewed by Jane Stephens
Age Guide 4+
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
I’ve written and illustrated numerous picture books and illustrated many more for publishers including Penguin, Berbay, Walker Books and Hardie Grant.
My books have been published in 16 countries, shortlisted in the CBCA Book of the Year and both the WA and the Victorian Premier’s Book of the Year. They have been read on the ABC’s Play School.
I work in a studio surrounded by sketches, books, brushes and unfinished coffee. I work at a long table made of Jarrah (a WA hardwood) recycled from an old Fremantle shipping warehouse.
I live with my wife and son in our house we built in an old apricot orchard on a hill.
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