title: One Busy Day: A Story for Big Brothers and Sisters
author:  Lola M. Schaefer 
description: PreS-Gr 1Since her arrival in One Special Day (Hyperion, 2012), Spencer's little sister, Mia, has become an active little girl who just wants to play with her big brother. But Spencer is way too busy for her, so she becomes busy, too. Mia paints, dances, explores, bakes, builds, swims, discovers, and climbs. Slowly Spencer is drawn into her play. Together, they swim, discover, climb, and battle dragons, and "for the rest of the night Mia and Spencer were both busy-very, very busy together." Schaefer's spot-on text is matched by Meserve's compelling illustrations. Especially effective is the pairing of text and art depicting the contrast between what is actually happening on one page and what the children are imagining on the next. For example, Mia goes from a kiddie pool to riding a dolphin in the ocean: "She swamin curling, crashing waves." Readers have to turn the page to see what is imagined, creating maximum suspense, which is great for storytime. This sweet tale hits all the right notes.Catherine Callegari, Gay-Kimball Library, Troy, NH
zlib_text: 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  This is a story about two sisters,  
  
  so I dedicate it to my sister, Connie Weiser,
  
  who when we were young,
  
  listened to my story ideas
  
  as we fell asleep each night.
  
  My thanks for your endless patience and your love.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  [Prologue](hisscandal.html#fm_01)
  
  
  London
  
  
  
  
  
  September, 1588
  
  
  A t the top of the marble stairs, tall, windowed doors swung open, and the
  queen’s courtiers within the great hall turned to stare, knowing that the
  moment they’d all waited for had arrived. A petite woman stepped into the
  hall, flanked by two men, identical in every way, from their black hair to
  their swarthy skin to their midnight eyes.
  
  Even the orchestra faltered as whispers spread out in a hiss. One of the
  brothers was Viscount Thornton, newly returned from spying on their enemy,
  Spain, before the armada had sailed. His heroism had been lauded by Queen
  Elizabeth, and his bravery had won him the hand of his wife, Lady Roselyn. The
  crowd surged forward to ingratiate themselves