A Perfect Day by Lane Smith (review)

It’s a “perfect day for Cat” (who basks in the sunny flower bed) and for Dog (who cools himself in the wading pool); it’s even perfect for Chickadee, who’s appreciating a fresh fill of birdseed, and for Squirrel, who’s relishing a dropped corncob. When Bear comes along, the other critters sensibly hightail it, leaving Bear to enjoy their sunny flowerbed, wading pool, bird feeder, and corncob on his own perfect day. The buildup is overly long and the twist could have more impact for the wait, but it’s an easily accessible tale that has both humor and relatability. Texture is the big star in Smith’s mixed-media artwork; sweeping strokes that vary between brush and fingerpaint in their echoes constitute the animal bodies, subtle dapples create background elements, and thick combinations of linework and color constitute the grassy yard. Audiences who’ve ever scattered before bigger kids will immediately understand the situation, and a quick jaunt to YouTube will provide much relevant video of backyard bear antics.