Buy new:
-15% $6.79
FREE delivery Sunday, May 19 on orders shipped by Amazon over $35
Ships from: Amazon.com
Sold by: Amazon.com
$6.79 with 15 percent savings
List Price: $7.99

The List Price is the suggested retail price of a new product as provided by a manufacturer, supplier, or seller. Except for books, Amazon will display a List Price if the product was purchased by customers on Amazon or offered by other retailers at or above the List Price in at least the past 90 days. List prices may not necessarily reflect the product's prevailing market price.
Learn more
Get Fast, Free Shipping with Amazon Prime FREE Returns
FREE delivery Sunday, May 19 on orders shipped by Amazon over $35
Or fastest delivery Saturday, May 18. Order within 10 hrs 15 mins
In Stock
$$6.79 () Includes selected options. Includes initial monthly payment and selected options. Details
Price
Subtotal
$$6.79
Subtotal
Initial payment breakdown
Shipping cost, delivery date, and order total (including tax) shown at checkout.
Ships from
Amazon.com
Ships from
Amazon.com
Sold by
Amazon.com
Sold by
Amazon.com
Returns
30-day easy returns
30-day easy returns
This item can be returned in its original condition for a full refund or replacement within 30 days of receipt.
Read full return policy
Returns
30-day easy returns
This item can be returned in its original condition for a full refund or replacement within 30 days of receipt.
Read full return policy
Payment
Secure transaction
Your transaction is secure
We work hard to protect your security and privacy. Our payment security system encrypts your information during transmission. We don’t share your credit card details with third-party sellers, and we don’t sell your information to others. Learn more
Payment
Secure transaction
We work hard to protect your security and privacy. Our payment security system encrypts your information during transmission. We don’t share your credit card details with third-party sellers, and we don’t sell your information to others. Learn more
$6.11
Get Fast, Free Shipping with Amazon Prime FREE Returns
This item shows wear including some highlighting or writing. This item shows wear including some highlighting or writing. See less
FREE delivery Monday, May 20 on orders shipped by Amazon over $35
Only 1 left in stock - order soon.
$$6.79 () Includes selected options. Includes initial monthly payment and selected options. Details
Price
Subtotal
$$6.79
Subtotal
Initial payment breakdown
Shipping cost, delivery date, and order total (including tax) shown at checkout.
Access codes and supplements are not guaranteed with used items.
Kindle app logo image

Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required.

Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web.

Using your mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app.

QR code to download the Kindle App

Follow the author

Eve Bunting
+ Follow
More books from this author
Something went wrong. Please try your request again later.

A Day's Work Paperback – Picture Book, April 14, 1997

by Eve Bunting (Author), Ronald Himler (Illustrator)
4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 263 ratings
See all formats and editions
{"desktop_buybox_group_1":[{"displayPrice":"$6.79","priceAmount":6.79,"currencySymbol":"$","integerValue":"6","decimalSeparator":".","fractionalValue":"79","symbolPosition":"left","hasSpace":false,"showFractionalPartIfEmpty":true,"offerListingId":"0HKw3Ektao5h%2BbOXuZvcJV4mBwQ02%2BgGr2dP94zLCIf8Xnl9C1TKJbfmiZXeXcxj3AkeqsK1HZuSOW09UBmopvunZ84VO0dlBr5Bx64AiC9JhIKKq9lpgoBeS37z1nmtD1hWTQx46SY%3D","locale":"en-US","buyingOptionType":"NEW","aapiBuyingOptionIndex":0}, {"displayPrice":"$6.11","priceAmount":6.11,"currencySymbol":"$","integerValue":"6","decimalSeparator":".","fractionalValue":"11","symbolPosition":"left","hasSpace":false,"showFractionalPartIfEmpty":true,"offerListingId":"0HKw3Ektao5h%2BbOXuZvcJV4mBwQ02%2BgGzUbRhpGKmTVwCf%2BWfYRsZwjy0%2B6mkKeiDzrRxrWNp09EWXY480ufLATVGi58IZSMbsxFowabIW7mSrFPAo7zVEZ9NMpeIlC5pKakS6J9d5XnakJZzV9tHjbuT%2FIYBScgWZIy6EBwjsjsJT5xD7vsmOlLtwACiTg%2B","locale":"en-US","buyingOptionType":"USED","aapiBuyingOptionIndex":1}]}

Purchase options and add-ons

In this heartwarming story about family and multigenerational relationships, a Mexican-American boy and his grandfather, who struggles to speak English and find work, reconnect through gardening.

Francisco, a young Mexican-American boy, doesn't know how to connect with his grandfather who doesn't doesn't speak English. But when the opportunity to help his grandfather find a job comes along, Francisco helps his grandfather learn about gardening. They get to learn about gardening, and each other, along the way.
Read more Read less
Previous page
  1. Reading age
    4 - 7 years
  2. Print length
    32 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Grade level
    Kindergarten - 3
  5. Lexile measure
    560L
  6. Dimensions
    9.56 x 0.12 x 8.5 inches
  7. Publisher
    Clarion Books
  8. Publication date
    April 14, 1997
  9. ISBN-10
    0395845181
  10. ISBN-13
    978-0395845189
  11. See all details
Next page
Amazon First Reads | Editors' picks at exclusive prices

Frequently bought together

A Day's Work
$6.79
Get it as soon as Sunday, May 19
In Stock
Ships from and sold by Amazon.com.
+
Fly Away Home
$6.69
Get it as soon as Sunday, May 19
In Stock
Ships from and sold by Amazon.com.
+
Train to Somewhere
$7.19
Get it as soon as Sunday, May 19
In Stock
Ships from and sold by Amazon.com.
Total price:
To see our price, add these items to your cart.
Details
Added to Cart
Choose items to buy together.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Bunting perfectly captures the intergenerational love and respect shared by these two characters and the man's strong sense of honesty and integrity. Himler's softly colored illustrations reflect the feelings of the characters and setting." — School Library Journal

About the Author

Eve Bunting was the beloved, award-winning author of more than two hundred and fifty books for young people, including the Caldecott Medal-winning Smoky Night, illustrated by David Diaz, The Wall, Fly Away Home, and Train to Somewhere.



Ronald Himler is the award-winning illustrator of more than 75 books for children. He lives in the desert outside of Tuscon, Arizona. ronhimler.com
 

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Clarion Books; Reprint edition (April 14, 1997)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 32 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0395845181
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0395845189
  • Reading age ‏ : ‎ 4 - 7 years
  • Lexile measure ‏ : ‎ 560L
  • Grade level ‏ : ‎ Kindergarten - 3
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 4.8 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 9.56 x 0.12 x 8.5 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 263 ratings

About the author

Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.
Eve Bunting

Eve Bunting

Brief content visible, double tap to read full content.
Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

Eve Bunting has written more than 200 books for children, many of which can be found in libraries around the world. Her other Clarion titles for very young readers include My Big Boy Bed, which was also illustrated by Maggie Smith, and Little Bear's Little Boat, illustrated by Nancy Carpenter. She lives in Pasadena, California.

Customer reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars
4.7 out of 5
263 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Children's Lit Love
5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful intergenerational story of honesty, integrity, and hard work
Reviewed in the United States on May 14, 2020
Verified Purchase
When I began to research books to include on my honesty booklist, I came across A Day's Work by Eve Bunting, in lots of my research. Though I generally try to get books from the library before I buy them, neither our school nor local library had this in its collection. I figured anything written by Bunting would be a safe bet to buy sight-unseen, so I scrounged around online to find a way to get this one anyway. And y'all, I am SO glad that we own this important book.
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Covering honesty, immigration, language barriers, intergenerational relationships, and more, you can read this one over and over and over again with a different takeaway every time! In A Day's Work, Francisco is trying to help his grandfather, who just moved to California two days ago and speaks no English, find work for a day. Discouraged about their chances, Francisco tells a potential employer that his grandfather is "a fine gardener," though he's actually a carpenter with little to no gardening experience. Francisco feels confident that his lie has worked. But when the boss comes back to check on them, rather than being pleased, he's angry... They've pulled out all the flowers and left the weeds!
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Angry at first, Abuelo quickly gains his control and an understanding of Francisco's lie and instructs Francisco to let the boss know that they will come back tomorrow and fix the problem that they've caused. Though Francisco is reluctant to give up another weekend day to work, Abuelo reminds him that "it is the price of the lie."
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
And this is the beauty of this book. The price of a lie... What a powerful lesson for a child to learn. Our lies always have prices, even though we may think we've gotten away with them initially. Ben is willing to continue to work with Abuelo, because of his integrity. Because he already knows the important things... The importance of honesty, of hard work, of making our wrongs right.
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Do you have a favorite Eve Bunting book? We also love One Green Apple, Night Tree, and Yard Sale. You can bet I've put in a request to our local library system to add this to its collection!
6 people found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
Shanna A. Gonzalez
5.0 out of 5 stars A Beautifully Moving, Compassionate Glimpse into a Day Laborer's World
Reviewed in the United States on July 17, 2010
Verified Purchase
On Saturday morning, young Francisco waits with his abuelo (grandfather) with other day laborers, hoping for a day's work. In order to persuade a potential employer to choose them, Francisco claims his grandfather is a gardener, even though he is actually a carpenter. It is only at the end of the day that the lie is found out. Then Abuelo shows Francisco the value of integrity, admonishing, "We do not lie for work," and taking steps to make restitution.

Bunting's understated text, written from the child's perspective, expresses the raw desperation that the most poverty-stricken people experience daily, helping the reader understand why Francisco would tell such a lie. But his grandfather's personal honor proves that, regardless of circumstances, even the lowest labor carries dignity and worth when it is carried out with self-respect.

This is a serious story, and even illustrated with Himler's wonderful paintings it retains a somber mood that might not draw readers in as easily as more lighthearted books. But it provides a vital, sympathetic glimpse into the world of immigrant day laborers while demonstrating the moral importance of honesty. It's a beautifully moving book which will help cultivate love and compassion for others.
9 people found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
tykhomoon
5.0 out of 5 stars Absolutely beautiful: in words, in illustrations, in the values it highlights
Reviewed in the United States on January 28, 2017
Verified Purchase
Absolutely beautiful: in words, in illustrations, in the values it highlights. I bought it because I was looking for books about lying and this addresses the topic, but it's so much more! It's also so refreshing for a kids book to have a protagonist that is the grandkid of a migrant worker. The story illuminates the perspective of the little boy, the grandpa, the gardener. All around so well done and full of wisdom and empathy.
Also both of my kids love it and request it frequently!
5 people found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Darling story and great morals taught!
Reviewed in the United States on August 28, 2019
Verified Purchase
Such a cute book! Very awesome lesson to the child about good work ethic and honesty! The boy and his grandfather are looking for work in America and they go to help a gardening company. The boy lies that his grandfather (who doesn’t speak any English) is a master gardener so they get taken on for the day. They end up not doing the job right and it’s so darling what the grandpa does to make amends!
One person found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
Keely Murphy
5.0 out of 5 stars Such a great lesson
Reviewed in the United States on August 22, 2023
Verified Purchase
I love this book to teach theme for upper elementary, it has such a good message
Helpful
 Report
Daniel L. Berek
5.0 out of 5 stars An Honest Story about Honesty and Hard Work
Reviewed in the United States on August 24, 2002
Verified Purchase
Let me begin by saying that I am a big fan of Eve Bunting and admire her for writing about people who otherwise receive little attention in stories. "A Day's Work" is worthy of that reputation. It is a story of day laborers from Mexico; moreover, it describes how the whole family pulls together to make ends meet (a theme that Francisco Jimenez beautifully explores in "The Circuit/Cajas de Carton). Though it's a simple story, there are several surprise twists. As with her other stories, Eve Bunting tells this one with her characteristic sensitivity without indulging in, you know, the mushy stuff. This book will enable children and adults alike to take a new look at honesty and, as the title says, a day's work.
34 people found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
Grammie Poet
5.0 out of 5 stars Great story
Reviewed in the United States on May 20, 2014
Verified Purchase
Eve Bunting is one of my favorite young adult authors. This story is great for elementary age children who can read it themselves. It is also good for somewhat younger kids; I read it to my 4-year-old grandson who enjoyed it and asked good questions. It raises several issues: immigrants who might have difficulties with a new language and culture, the bond between a boy and his grandfather, and a work ethic. The illustrations add to the charm of the book.
3 people found this helpful
Helpful
 Report

Top reviews from other countries

Translate all reviews to English
naokopi
5.0 out of 5 stars 仕事とは何かをつきつけられる
Reviewed in Japan on March 14, 2009
Verified Purchase
とても静かにたんたんと一日の仕事が進む。英語のできる孫が祖父に伝えた作業内容は、雇い主の指示とはかけ離れていたが・・・。仕事に「誠実な心」で向き合うことを静かに語りかけてくる本です。仕事とは何か、を伝えるのにいい本だと思います。
One person found this helpful
 Report