All in a Day

A gentle, poetic celebration of everything a single day can hold―perfect for sharing with the youngest readers.

In All in a Day, Newbery Medal–winning author Cynthia Rylant invites children to slow down and notice the small, meaningful moments that fill a day―from planting a seed and watching it grow to experiencing both joy and disappointment along the way.

Told in simple, lyrical verse, the story captures the idea that every day is a “perfect piece of time,” full of possibilities that won’t come again.

Parents and caregivers are drawn to the book’s calm, rhythmic language, which makes it especially well suited for read-alouds and quiet moments. The spare text leaves room for conversation, reflection, and repeat readings―qualities that many readers find both soothing and memorable.

The book’s distinctive cut-paper illustrations by Nikki McClure are a standout feature, using bold shapes and a limited palette to create images that are striking yet easy for young children to follow. Simple scenes of nature―a sprouting seedling, falling rain, a fragile egg―visually reinforce the book’s themes of growth, change, and renewal.

A New York Times bestseller, this beloved board book brings the story’s reassuring message into a format perfect for little hands: a reminder that each day offers something new to try, something to learn, and always another chance to begin again.

Cynthia Rylant is a Newbery Medal–winning author and one of the most celebrated voices in children’s literature. She has written more than one hundred books for young readers, spanning picture books, poetry, and early readers, including the beloved Henry and Mudge series. Her work is known for its lyrical language, emotional clarity, and focus on everyday moments of connection and reflection.

Drawing on a background rooted in small-town life and close observation of the natural world, Rylant’s books often explore themes of kindness, resilience, and quiet wonder―qualities that have made her stories enduring favorites for families, classrooms, and read-aloud settings.

Nikki McClure is an acclaimed illustrator and author known for her distinctive cut‑paper artwork, created entirely by hand with an X-Acto knife. Her work is recognized for its bold contrasts, clean lines, and expressive storytelling, capturing everyday moments with clarity and emotional resonance.

McClure has illustrated numerous children’s books, including All in a Day, where her carefully composed imagery translates complex ideas―such as growth, change, and renewal―into visuals that are both striking and immediately accessible to young readers. Her art often draws on themes of nature, family, and community, using a limited color palette to create pages that feel both timeless and visually memorable. She lives and works in the Pacific Northwest, where she continues to create books, prints, and illustrations rooted in observation and craft.