A PERFECT SATURDAY...almost - by Dave Jones, PsyD

A PERFECT SATURDAY... almost

What does the perfect Saturday look like to an active kid? Follow along as one such youngster engages in a multitude of plans for one bright springtime adventure, and see what (and what almost) gets done!

See how your own perfect day compares to his in this dawn-to-dusk joy ride!

At a Glance: A children’s picture book about a boy whose carefully imagined Saturday repeatedly falls short of perfection. Through everyday activities and small mishaps, the story explores disappointment, flexibility, gratitude, and finding happiness when plans go awry.

You can grab your copy of A Perfect Saturday… almost on Amazon

TOPICS OF CONVERSATION

• Why Dave Jones wrote A Perfect Saturday.., almost. His daughter and her best friend challenged him to write a book in one week, and he wrote it on a cruise.
• A boy with no name. Dave left the boy unnamed so young readers can step into the story, though he admits a lot of the boy is him.
• Every page sketched first. Dave sketched every page before illustrator Rheanna started, and he shares what to look for in the pictures.
• Praise the effort or the result? Dave explains why “practice makes perfect” isn’t quite true, and how parents can praise effort while guiding the next try.
• No lesson spelled out. Dave lets each reader find their own meaning, and he hopes kids close the book thinking about tomorrow.
• What’s next, and Dave’s advice. Dave previews his upcoming chapter book, September Monday, and encourages listeners to read to their kids.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Dave Jones, PsyD, is a retired educator with more than 40 years of experience working with children and families in both regular and special education. He holds advanced training in special education and a earned PsyD. His career has included teaching recognition, health advocacy awards, work in adapted physical education, and innovative educational projects. Outside of writing and education, Jones enjoys canoeing, fishing, wood turning, motorcycle riding, racquetball, gardening, and spending time with his grandchildren.

A Perfect Saturday.., almost has an interactive spirit that reflects Jones' longstanding interest in education and child development. A retired teacher with more than four decades of experience working with regular and special education students and their families, Jones has been recognized for his innovative and multifaceted approach to teaching.

Jones holds a master's degree in special education and a Doctorate in Psychology. His career has earned him the Golden Apple Award for Excellence in Teaching from the nationally recognized G.A. Academy, along with numerous awards from the American Heart Association, including top leadership and lifetime achievement honors.

He also developed a school garden that received recognition as the "best school garden in Chicagoland" from the Chicago Botanic Garden, with additional recognition from Newsweek magazine. Jones helped develop Illinois State recognized standards for adapted physical education and previously co-authored 10 Demandments of Creativity: Parents Edition with Professor Denis Berkson.