From Powells.com
Staff Pick
A lonely kid who loves video games is forced to go outside to play, and ends up having an incredible time in the wilderness and rain. Not only does it turn out to be a lovely story, but Alemagna is doing a lot of interesting and progressive things within it. Her main character is gender neutral (which I noticed one other instance this year in Kate Berube's illustrations for My Little Half Moon), and her illustrations of the character morph with the situation or experience at hand. Also, there's a sense that the parents are going through a separation (or at the very least are busy), and while that lives mostly in the background, our protagonist is treated with a level of wisdom and maturity that's rarely seen in picture books. Recommended By Jordan S., Powells.com
Synopses & Reviews
This picture book with startlingly beautiful words and pictures will spur imagination and a break from boredom or screen time. Now a New York Times Best Illustrated Book of the Year!
"All I want to do on a rainy day like today is play my game. My mom says it’s a waste of time, but without my game, nothing is fun! On the other hand, maybe I’m wrong about that..."
While reading On a Magical Do-Nothing Day, one gets the sense that the illustrator became lost in her drawings, and as a reader, you'll want to do the same. Perfect for fans of picture books by Julie Morstad, Carson Ellis, Jon Klassen, and Tomi Ungerer.
“Hands down, Beatrice Alemagna is my favorite contemporary illustrator," said the Caldecott Honor-winning illustrator of Last Stop on Market Street, Christian Robinson.
On a Magical Do-Nothing Day has been recognized with a Gold Medal from the Society of Illustrators. Don't miss this picture book that beautifully encourages unplugged exploration.
Review
“Something remarkable waits in every corner of Beatrice Alemagna’s world. Her work makes me feel like a child again.” Brendan Wenzel, Caldecott Honor Medalist for They All Saw a Cat
Review
“Alemagna demonstrates an uncanny knack for rendering emotional experience with line and color in this intimate and distinctive story. The spreads ignite with the warm glow of discovery.” Publishers Weekly (starred review)
Review
Here true magic is found in the simple but transformative act of experiencing nature.” Booklist (starred review)
Review
Will resonate with young people just making their own discoveries and finding them precious. An effective argument for unplugged exploration, submitted through startlingly beautiful words and pictures.” Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
Synopsis
Give the gift of a magical do-nothing day This picture book is an excellent choice to share during homeschooling because it speaks to boredom from being stuck inside and staring at your computer, phone, or video game. There's so much to notice in the world, if we can un-plug long enough.
This picture book with startlingly beautiful words and pictures will spur imagination and a break from boredom or screen time.
Now a New York Times Best Illustrated Book of the Year and Bank Street College of Education Best Children's Book of the Year
All I want to do on a rainy day like today is play my game. My mom says it's a waste of time, but without my game, nothing is fun On the other hand, maybe I'm wrong about that...
While reading On a Magical Do-Nothing Day, one gets the sense that the illustrator became lost in her drawings, and as a reader, you'll want to do the same. Perfect for fans of picture books by Julie Morstad, Carson Ellis, Jon Klassen, and Tomi Ungerer.
"Hands down, Beatrice Alemagna is my favorite contemporary illustrator," said the Caldecott Honor-winning illustrator of Last Stop on Market Street, Christian Robinson.
On a Magical Do-Nothing Day has been recognized with a Gold Medal from the Society of Illustrators. Don't miss this picture book that beautifully encourages unplugged exploration.
Synopsis
Give the gift of a magical do-nothing day There's so much to notice in the world, if we can un-plug long enough.
This picture book with startlingly beautiful words and pictures will spur imagination and a break from boredom or screen time.
Now a New York Times Best Illustrated Book of the Year and Bank Street College of Education Best Children's Book of the Year
All I want to do on a rainy day like today is play my game. My mom says it's a waste of time, but without my game, nothing is fun On the other hand, maybe I'm wrong about that...
While reading On a Magical Do-Nothing Day, one gets the sense that the illustrator became lost in her drawings, and as a reader, you'll want to do the same. Perfect for fans of picture books by Julie Morstad, Carson Ellis, Jon Klassen, and Tomi Ungerer.
"Hands down, Beatrice Alemagna is my favorite contemporary illustrator, said the Caldecott Honor-winning illustrator of Last Stop on Market Street, Christian Robinson.
On a Magical Do-Nothing Day has been recognized with a Gold Medal from the Society of Illustrators. Don't miss this picture book that beautifully encourages unplugged exploration.
About the Author
Beatrice Alemagna was born in Bologna, Italy, in 1973. At eight years old she knew she would become a painter and a writer. Since then she has published more than 30 books all over the world — from France and Italy to Japan and the United States. Some of her books available in the United States include A Lion in Paris, which Kirkus Reviews called an “artful, whimsical delight,” and The Wonderful Fluffy Little Squishy, which won the 2016 Mildred L. Batchelder Award. Beatrice makes her home in Paris, where she lives with her husband and two daughters.