Because of Thursday

Thursdays have always been Annie’s lucky day. She was born on a Thursday and married on a Thursday. Each of her two children was born on a Thursday.  She opened her diner on a Thursday, and it was on a Thursday that she made the famous pasta salad that became a staple of her small town. As Annie grew older, she looked back on her life with pride and satisfaction. She had married the love of her life, achieved her dream of opening a restaurant, and raised two amazing children. However, one Tuesday, Annie’s husband tells her that he isn’t feeling well. On a Monday, her husband passes away. This loss upsets the joy that Annie once felt. Not long after, she closes her restaurant.  

Now, Annie spends most of her time at home. One day, she finds a dish towel on her porch with the word “Thursday” embroidered on it. Annie notices small movements and sounds coming from underneath. She lifts the towel and is delighted to find a kitten bundled up inside! Annie takes the kitten in and quickly finds herself taking care of it. She names the kitten “Thursday” and enjoys tending it. Soon, Annie is inspired to begin cooking once again. It doesn’t take long for the people of her town to hear. Soon enough, everyone helps Annie restart her restaurant. With this, Annie’s restaurant is restored as the heart of the town, and Thursday is adored by every customer who comes in. 

The author of over 70 children’s books, Patricia Polacco writes her stories with a natural grace. As in all her works, Because of Thursday is told with a heartfelt and human touch. Polacco speaks to her reader less like an omnipotent narrator and more like an old friend telling a story, elevating little moments into engaging pieces of a narrative. She describes the smaller details of the story, like the ingredients of Annie’s famous “Ugly Pasta” recipe, with a unique humor and conceit. “It looked like it had been kicked around in the dirt with all the burned pepper flakes in it,” she writes. “And wiped through someone’s armpit with all the lumps of garlic on it and blown across a dusty field with all the grated cheese on it.”  

While this kind of writing should not be a challenge for advanced readers, younger readers may need help navigating the book’s long paragraphs. Each page features four to twelve sentences. Parents’ assistance may also be needed to explain adjectives like “delectable” and “gelatinous.” Polacco’s dynamic illustrations add spirit and energy to the book. Each page features a double-spread illustration with vivid colors and attention to background detail. For example, the final page features Annie’s majestic and colorful manufacturing plant, complemented by a giant fountain shaped like a stack of noodles.  

While Polacco’s pleasant written voice and lively illustrations always make a good story, the resolution of Because of Thursday features a shift in tone that makes the story ultimately feel a little uneven. The book’s climax involves Annie achieving nationwide fame when a TV chef discovers her recipe. Although the chef’s name is never stated, he is drawn to look like Guy Fieri. Even though it’s satisfying to see Annie reach such a high degree of success, the inclusion of a specific real-life celebrity feels out of place in a fictional story. Readers familiar with Fieri will likely be confused by his appearance and may incorrectly assume that the book is a true story. 

With this being said, Because of Thursday is still a worthwhile read. Parents can use the story as a way to discuss the topic of grief with their child, specifically how it can affect someone’s mood and motivation. Additionally, readers can learn the importance of being there for others. Just as Annie gave joy to her town through her cooking, her town was there for her when she returned to her restaurant. As with any book by Patricia Polacco, Because of Thursday is a heartfelt and beautifully illustrated story that allows parents to discuss meaningful themes and messages with their children. 

Sexual Content 

• None 

Violence 

• None 

Drugs and Alcohol 

• None 

Language 

• None 

Supernatural 

• None   

Spiritual Content 

• None