The One Day House

Review
Young, bronze-skinned Wilson shares with his community and with his elder friend, Gigi, all the ways he wants to improve Gigi's home one day—until "one day" arrives.Before the formal title page, Wilson is seen gazing at a bright pink flier on the window of La Luna Cafe. Opposite this illustration is the flyer's enlargement—"Build Up Neighbors"—entreating readers to "Fix a neighbor's home together!" Wilson has apparently torn off one of the phone-numbered strips at the bottom. The text begins in earnest with Wilson telling Gigi that one day he will paint her house "orange and yellow like the sun." As in each successive conversation between the two, Gigi likes his idea but also reminds Wilson that his presence in her life is more important than any home repair. In between these sweet litanies, Wilson tells such people as the ice cream man, a passing neighbor, and the local librarian of envisioned improvements. All conversations begin with Wilson's "One day…." The vibrant, mixed-media artwork depicts an established neighborhood of mixed ethnicities. Scenes of neighborhood conversations are interspersed with Wilson's own childlike, colored drawings, embellished by such details as his calculations of how many nails would be needed in a new fence. Art and text together radiate a warm message of community and caring. A labor of love honoring labors of love.
—Kirkus Reviews
One day, Wilson promises to paint Gigi’s house “orange and yellow like the sun.” The older woman is pleased and responds, “But today, you are all the sunshine I need.” Wilson’s ideas for his friend’s home are supported by people in the neighborhood, from the ice cream vendor to the local librarian, and even his classmates and teacher. Time and seasons pass, until that one day arrives and the community comes together to repair and spruce up Gigi’s house and yard. The story begins before the title page when Wilson comes across a sign at the local La Luna Cafe. He tears off the phone number encouraging people to “Fix a neighbor’s home together!” Richly colored mixed-media collage illustrations call to mind folk art, naive in tone but effectually depicting the neighborhood and its residents. Images of Wilson’s vision for Gigi’s home are interspersed and appear to done by a child with handwritten notes on the side. This is a warm story based on the author’s experience in cooperative neighborhood efforts. VERDICT A useful and appealing story that provides a great sense of community. An inspirational choice to read aloud or one-on-one.
—School Library Journal
Spending time with an older neighbor, GiGi, a boy named Wilson daydreams ofone day fixing up her house, which has fallen into disrepair. Wilson talks aboutvarious home improvements, such as painting the house “orange and yellow likethe sun,” repairing the stairs, and planting a garden. GiGi is always appreciative,but insists that Wilson’s company is all she needs. When Wilson tells her, “Oneday, I will fix your piano so you can play music again,” GiGi replies lovingly thatshe will like that. “But today, you are the song in my heart.” Durango’s story isnot just about GiGi and Wilson’s friendship; it’s also a celebration of the powerof community. The determined Wilson does not keep his plans to himself, butshares his ideas with seemingly anyone who will listen: neighbors, his teacher, thelibrarian, the ice-cream man. The payoff comes when “one day” arrives and wediscover that kind Wilson was not just daydreaming but thoughtfully putting adetailed plan into action. By using mixed-media art, Diaz subtly mirrors the spiritof the story; the various elements in each illustration (a combination that includescollage, paint, crayons, and handmade paper) give the pictures a collaborativefeel. Just like the community coming together to fix up GiGi’s house, Diaz drawson different skills and techniques to create something greater than the sum of itsparts.
—Horn Book Magazine
Parents want to develop kindness and generosi