On a Magical Do-Nothing Day - by Beatrice Alemagna (Hardcover)

About the Book

Book 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.

From the Back Cover

All I want to do on a rainy day like today is play my game, but my mom says it's a waste of time. The game makes my mom crazy. Angry.

She takes it away.

I take it back.

I wish Dad had come with us on this rainy, gray weekend.

Without my game, nothing is fun.

On the other hand, maybe I'm wrong about that. . . .

Review Quotes

"Hands down, Beatrice Alemagna is my favorite contemporary illustrator. Pure magic." - Christian Robinson, Caledecott Honor Winner of Last Stop on Market Street

"Naive and childlike yet so very sophisticated. Lovely." - Lane Smith, Best-selling illustrator of The Stinky Cheese Man

"Heartbreakingly beautiful. You get the sense that she becomes totally lost in it while drawing and as a viewer you want to do the same. I think this might be Beatrice's most breathtaking work yet. - Julie Morstad, award-winning illustrator of Julia, Child and Swan: The Life and Dance of Anna Pavlova

"The name Beatrice means 'she who brings happiness.' Her work is not necessarily happy all the time-and I am grateful for that-but it is always is strong and delicate, lyrical and honest, all at the same time." - Sergio Ruzzier, award-winning illustrator of This is Not a Picture Book

"Seeing A Lion in Paris made me realize how beautiful picture books can be." - Chris Haughton, award-winning illustrator of Shh! We Have a Plan

"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

★ "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)

★ "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)

"Snails glow in the dark; colorful mushrooms are reminiscent of the grandparents' basement; interesting objects lie beneath the mud." - School Library Journal

"Alemagna's striking illustrations, executed in gouache, oil, collage, and wax pencil, extend the text." - School Library Journal

"This poignant read-aloud may motivate children to shut down their devices and interact with the world around them." - School Library Journal

"A strong choice for most picture book collections." - School Library Journal

★ "Here true magic is found in the simple but transformative act of experiencing nature." - Booklist (starred review)