Today is the Day    by Eric Walters & Eugenie Fernandes Order:  USA  Can Tundra, 2015 (2015) Hardcover      Reviewed by Hilary Williamson Eric Walters is the author of many exceptional YA novels. He has also written excellent picture books - Hope Springs and My Name is Blessing. Now he brings us another story set in a Kenyan orphanage, Today is the Day, starring young Mutanu, whose name means happy. Every year, Mutanu's orphanage in Kenya creates a birthday for its newest arrivals, many of whom don't know what day they were born and have never celebrated a birthday. So Mutanu is especially happy for today is the day for her to have a birthday! But, of course, she does her chores first. Then relatives show up, there are gifts and cake, and the children who did not know the date of their birth are given a birthday to celebrate each year thereafter. At the back of the book is information on the orphanage on which the story is based, in Kikima, Kenya, and the children who are cared for there. Young readers of Today is the Day will be happy with and for Mutanu, but it might also make them think just a little about all the good things in their lives that they take for granted, and that so many other children do not share. Note: Opinions expressed in reviews and articles on this site are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of BookLoons. Find more Kids books on our Shelves or in our book Reviews