Synopsis
What do you do when there s nothing to do? Here s a book about exploring the delights of unscheduled time. No piano lessons, sports practice, afterschool classes, homework. Instead, bestselling author Douglas Wood gently points children to the magical worlds of the imagination, the mysteries of nature, and the deep satisfaction of finding out things on one s own. The perfect antidote for the overscheduled child, this wise yet playful book revels in the simple joys life has to offer.With brilliant, multifaceted patterned artwork that is the hallmark of Wendy Anderson Halperin, Nothing to Do reflects a wholly original vision of children s creativity.
Author Biography: Douglas Wood lives in Sartell, Minnesota, where he writes, composes music, and leads nature walks. He is the author of many bestselling books for adults and children, including Old Turtle.
Wendy Anderson Halperin, the award-winning illustrator of many beloved books for children, lives in Michigan.
Publishers Weekly
What do you do when there's nothing to do? That's the question that Wood (Old Turtle) ponders in this picture-book celebration of the joys to be found in all-too-rare unscheduled time. As a grateful young narrator explains, sometimes there are days signified by "just a white, empty space on the calendar." On those days of no school, no lessons, no activities, kids can explore, wander, create toy ships or paper airplanes, read "your very favorite book" in a quiet spot and just plain relax-"And isn't that great?" Woods's leisurely paced observances of various free-time pursuits-cloud watching, fort building, walking barefoot in the mud-is perfectly matched to his theme. Halperin's (Turn, Turn, Turn) watercolors exude an equally easy-going, reverie-like quality and often feature several kid-like pastimes and images simultaneously in a variety of small vignettes that share a spread. The artist experiments with patterns and designs that represent types of natural growth, including branchlike and spherical partitions (as explained in her artist's note); the result is visually and thematically arresting. A wonderful choice for lazy days or as an antidote to crazy-busy ones. Ages 4-up. (May) Copyright 2006 Reed Business Information.