Sunday (a New York Times/New York Public Library Best Illustrated Children's Book) - by Marcelo Tolentino (Hardcover)

Book Synopsis

New York Times/New York Public Library Best Illustrated Children's Book of 2025

School Library Journal Best Book of 2024

Kirkus Reviews Best Picture Book of 2025

A boy and his golden dog turn a slow Sunday at home into a magic adventure to faraway places in a picture book celebrating imagination and play.

Martin and his family spend every Sunday together and every Sunday they have the same routine. Not this Sunday, he decides while everyone else watches TV, cooks, and folds laundry.

Instead, Martin invents a world adventure with his dog, Maize, braving extreme cold alongside penguins on ice caps, facing a dragon, confronting pirate ships, and crossing an arid desert on a camel's back. When he returns from his travels happy and exhausted, he recounts his magical journey with Grandma, who marvels at his courage and wonders where he will go next.

Sunday reminds readers young and old about the power of imagination, play, and dreams coming true. In a world where screens are the default, Martin's journey detailed in playful line art with bold colors will encourage kids to make their own discoveries and share their creativity with friends and family.

Perfect for rainy-day reading, this book is also a thoughtful gift for grandparents and little readers who love dogs and new experiences.

Review Quotes

A New York Times/New York Public Library Best Illustrated Children's Book of 2025
A School Library Journal Best Book
A Kirkus Reviews Best Picture Book
"A visual treasure trove of a book." -- New York Times

"Imaginative play has never been this exciting." -- Kirkus Reviews, STARRED REVIEW
"Stunning ... A breathtaking trip through one boy's -imagination, this beautiful picture book is highly recommended." -- School Library Journal, STARRED REVIEW

"A beautiful story about a child's imagination. I loved the illustrations and the way this story felt like a classic from my childhood. The subtle attention to generational family members is one of my favorite reminders for young readers." -- Morgan, BookMarks

"This book has major "Good Dog, Carl" vibes - but for a bigger kid with bigger adventures! Perfectly spare text and stunning illustrations. Cannot wait to share this one at our store's storytime." -- Naomi, Napa BookMine
"I guarantee that the moment you see Marcelo Tolentino's artwork for the first time your breath will be taken away.... a stunning book that transports readers to a new kind of Sunday." -- Mel Schuit, Let's Talk Picture Books

About the Author

Marcelo Tolentino is a visual artist and art educator from São Paulo, Brazil. He studied graphic design at the Panamerican School of Art and Design.