The Hard Work Day - by Alan Arkin (Hardcover)

Book Synopsis

From beloved actor Alan Arkin comes a new edition of his classic picture book, updated and reissued with irresistible new art by Wesley Allsbrook.

Tony is repeatedly denied the opportunity to participate as the rest of his family fixes up their new home--they all say he's too young! And so, off he goes to a nearby hillside and builds a house of his own! He lays a stone floor, chops down trees to make log walls and a roof, and piles loads of rocks to make a fireplace and chimney. When his family finds him napping in the new home on a woven grass rug, they applaud his work and ask if they can move in with him!

Inspired by partially true events with Alan Arkin's real family, this timeless story will remind the youngest readers that they are as capable, smart, and important as anyone else!

About the Author

Alan Arkin was an actor, filmmaker, and author. In a career spanning seven decades, he starred on Broadway, on television, in over sixty films, and won almost every acting award in North America, including an Academy Award, a BAFTA Award, a Golden Globe, a Tony Award, and was nominated for six Emmys. He had three sons, two of whom are actors, and all of whom are featured in this story!

Wesley Allsbrook writes and draws and likes to find new ways to do old things. She's neurodivergent. Born in Durham, North Carolina, she attended the Rhode Island School of Design. Her work has been recognized by the Art Directors Club, the Society of Publication Designers, the Society of Illustrators, American Illustration, Communication Arts, the Sundance Film Festival, the Venice Film Festival, the Raindance Film Festival, the Television Academy, and the Peabody Awards. Wesley hopes to one day build a house on a hill of her own, or just to buy and fix one that's old and very broken, and hopefully already on a hill? She expects this will take a lot of hard work and help from her friends.