Gaga Mistake Day

by Emma Straub & Susan Straub

illustrated by Jessica Love

Rocky Pond Books 2024

In this quiet story of a granddaughter and her down-to-earth grandmother, novelist Emma Straub, known for 2022's This Time Tomorrow, teams up with her mother-in-law, Susan Straub, to write their first children’s book, Gaga Mistake Day.

“My Gaga comes over on Saturdays,” informs the four-and-a-half-year-old bespectacled protagonist, “and she makes lots of mistakes.” The young narrator describes the activities that bond her with her lighthearted grandmother: “Gaga and I both wear glasses. ‘Do you see what I see?’ she asks me. We switch glasses. Then neither of us sees anything.” Readers witness the child and her grandmother through “mistake days,” where slippers double as ear warmers, Connect Four is used to make patterns rather than as a competitive game, and lunch includes vegetables, fruit, a lollipop, and chocolate chips.

Their playful slice-of-life activities call to mind the silliness of Amelia Bedelia. Bright colors splash across the pages, echoing the fun and lightness of “mistake days.” Illustrations convey what words do not: the affection between Gaga and her granddaughter is evident, with the child’s joyful smiles contrasting with Gaga’s more composed demeanor, often sporting a sly smile. The simply-rendered prose makes the story easy to read aloud to emerging readers and accessible enough for early readers to pick up on their own. The Straubs’ collaboration has created an engaging story that stands out for its heartwarming portrayal of family connections and everyday joy.

Shelly Swearingen is an elementary school teacher currently living in coastal South Carolina. Her book discussions can also be found on her YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@Shellyish