A day in the life of a small red-headed boy is recounted through a series of rhymes that follow the same pattern: “CLEAN enough to wipe a spill,/ an apple juice/ on the loose/ spill. / GLAD enough to sing a song,/ a shout it out,/ dance about/ song. / NEAT enough to eat my corn,/ my take a bite / left to right/ corn.” The story stresses competence and confidence, and the brightly colored illustrations consistently maintain the perspective of the energetic child at the center of the story. (Ages 2-4)