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The Day You Begin

By: Jacqueline Woodson
Narrated by: Jacqueline Woodson
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Publisher's summary

Jacqueline Woodson is the 2018-2019 National Ambassador for Young People's Literature

A number one New York Times best seller!

National Book Award winner Jacqueline Woodson has created a poignant, yet heartening book about finding courage to connect, even when you feel scared and alone.

There will be times when you walk into a room

and no one there is quite like you.

There are many reasons to feel different. Maybe it's how you look or talk, or where you're from; maybe it's what you eat, or something just as random. It's not easy to take those first steps into a place where nobody really knows you yet, but somehow you do it.

Jacqueline Woodson's lyrical prose and warm narration remind us that we all feel like outsiders sometimes - and how brave it is that we go forth anyway. And that sometimes, when we reach out and begin to share our stories, others will be happy to meet us halfway.

(This book is also available in Spanish, as El Día En Que Descubres Quién Eres!)

©2018 Jacqueline Woodson (P)2018 Listening Library
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Critic reviews

“National Book Award winner and national treasure Jacqueline Woodson teams up with two-time Pura Belpré Award recipient Rafael López to deliver an empowering message to any child who has ever felt too different.... Woodson and López offer a needed message of comfort to preschool and early elementary students. Woodson's lulling free verse reassures the reader that the world will ‘make some space’, while López's dreamy, near-translucent mixed-media illustrations thrum with playful joy. This gentle, powerful ode to diversity and acceptance belongs with all children.” (Shelf Awareness, starred review)

“Woodson’s poetic lines give power to each child’s experience.... López paints the book’s array of children as students in the same classroom; patterns and colors on the children’s clothing and the growing things around them fill the spreads with life. Woodson’s gentle, lilting story and López’s artistry create a stirring portrait of the courage it takes to be oneself.” (Publishers Weekly, starred review)

“A bright jewel-toned palette and clever details, including a literal reflection of a better future, reveal hope and pride.... This reassuring, lyrical book feels like a big hug from a wise aunt as she imparts the wisdom of the world in order to calm trepidatious young children: One of these things is not like the other, and that is actually what makes all the difference. A must-have book about the power of one’s voice and the friendships that emerge when you are yourself.” (Kirkus Reviews, starred review)

Featured Article: The Best Back-to-School Audiobooks for Young Listeners


Going back to school—or starting for the very first time—can be anxiety inducing, exhilarating, freeing, and an all-around big moment for kids. New year, fresh notebooks, budding friendships, intriguing teachers, and that pit-of-the-stomach excitement of walking into the unknown. We hope this carefully selected group of audiobooks will help your little ones feel reassured, confident, and maybe even a bit giddy about diving into a new school year.

What listeners say about The Day You Begin

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Beautiful

This was so beautiful. I hope she writes more children's books and maybe some longer ones.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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Needs to be Longer

This is a good 5 minutes worth of words but my only complaint is it needs more.

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10 people found this helpful

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Beautiful story!

Absolutely beautiful story!!!! So appropriate for my class! They were spell bound listening to the author’s soothing voice! Thank you so much!

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    1 out of 5 stars
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Wtf

The book isn't even there, it's just 5 mins which absolutely sucks to the core, wtf is going on!! The book isn't complete, it's not even there, please change it

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7 people found this helpful