A STRANGE DAY

One windy day—the one on which Jack will learn if he’s won the drawing contest—the postman has a mishap. During delivery to Jack’s mailbox, a letter whisks away on the wind. The postman gives chase through the village, unbeknownst to Jack, who mopes along, obliviously despondent. Indeed, quite unconsciously, the boy stops a runaway baby carriage, blocks a soccer ball headed for the window of a patient in traction, catches a bird’s egg (dislodged by the postman’s efforts to unsnag letter from tree) and saves a dog thrown from a crashed bike. The panting postman makes the delivery ahead of Jack’s arrival home, where the boy discovers not only the good news, but a collection of grateful villagers regaling him for his heroic deeds. This Dutch import is smoothly translated and teems with funny visuals. Ten Cate’s full-bleed paintings depict verdant hills, azure sky and an animal array slyly borrowing from the villagers an assortment of articles (including the postman’s hat and shoes). A breezy, kid-savvy delight. (Picture book. 3-8)