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)

As this rhythmic text subtly makes its way through the day, a young boy finds that he can do so many things just right -- he's old enough to feed the fish, bold enough to hold a worm, yet sweet enough to give a gift.