Every Monday Mabel
by Jashar Awan
Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, 2025. 44 pages.
Review written March 17, 2025, from a library book.
Starred Review
I have discovered a new-to-me picture book author whose work I love! After reading Geisel Honor-winning Towed by Toad, I discovered the author has a new book published in 2025, and placed a hold. This one, too, is great fun – with simple language (though not quite as beginning-reader friendly as Towed by Toad), simple lines, and bright colors.
The first half of the book is anticipation.
It’s Monday, and Mabel wakes up early and drags her chair out of her room down the hallway. She grabs a bowl of dry cereal and sets up outside in front of the garage. Her sister thinks the thing she does every morning is the most boring thing in the world, her mother thinks it’s the cutest, and her father thinks it’s the funniest. One thing the reader is sure of is her absolute determination.
And then…
The Garbage Truck comes!
The best thing in the world is finally here!
From there, the backgrounds change from plain white to a bright, happy yellow. The pages are full of onomatopoeia, echoing the noises of the truck. We see Mabel joyfully jumping and dancing with each wondrous movement of the giant truck.
And the book pulls off a satisfying ending by showing us that, despite Mabel’s indifferent family, there are other garbage-truck watchers throughout the town.
I know a Storytime hit when I see one! The anticipation plus all the sound effects make this a winner for sure. And small garbage-truck lovers throughout the country will find a kindred spirit in Mabel.
Find this review on Sonderbooks at: www.sonderbooks.com/Picture_Books/every_monday_mabel.html
Disclosure: I am an Amazon Affiliate, and will earn a small percentage if you order a book on Amazon after clicking through from my site.
Disclaimer: I am a professional librarian, but the views expressed are solely my own, and in no way represent the official views of my employer or of any committee or group of which I am part.
What did you think of this book?