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. PreS-Gr 2—In this story from France, a mother and young child arrive at a remote cabin in the pouring rain, and all the protagonist wants to do is play an electronic game on the couch. When mom insists that the kid go outside, the youngster takes the game along for protection from "this boring, wet place" but drops it in the pond. At first, the child is desolate, like "a small tree trapped outside in a hurricane." But then the protagonist begins to really look around: snails glow in the dark; colorful mushrooms are reminiscent of the grandparents' basement; interesting objects lie beneath the mud. A tumble down a hill provides an upside-down view of the world that prompts the kid to notice bugs, talk to a bird, splash in puddles, and watch the world shining through smooth stones. Filled with delight in this "magical do-nothing day," the youngster runs home and even sees mom in a new light as they enjoy hot chocolate together. Alemagna's striking illustrations, executed in gouache, oil, collage, and wax pencil, extend the text. Sheets of rain fall from a black sky into a forest of green shadows. In the early pages, the only brightness emanates from the protagonist, whose gender is never identified, a small speck in the orange coat and pointy hood amid looming trees. But the skies brighten and the kid appears larger as the wonder in new discoveries increases. This poignant read-aloud may motivate children to shut down their devices and interact with the world around them. VERDICT A strong choice for most picture book collections. Pair it with Dan Yaccarino's Doug Unplugged for group discussion.—Marianne Saccardi, Children's Literature Consultant, Cambridge, MA “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