Nothing to Do

by Douglas Wood, Wendy Anderson Halperin (Illustrator)

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.

BOOK LINKS LASTING CONNECTION AWARD

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens

32 pages, Hardcover

First published May 4, 2006

About the author

Composer, recording artist, wilderness guide, and self-taught naturalist-Douglas Wood is perhaps most widely known as the highly acclaimed author of OLD TURTLE, a 1993 ABBY Award winner and an International Reading Association Book of the Year. Author of several books for readers of all ages, Douglas says he is always seeking themes that are universally significant to both children and adults. His first book for Candlewick Press, GRANDAD'S PRAYERS OF THE EARTH-winner of the Christopher Medal for "affirming the highest value of the human spirit"-quietly explores the theme of grief and healing while celebrating a human connection to the natural world and the enduring spirit of love. Douglas Wood kept in mind someone very special to his own life when writing GRANDAD'S PRAYERS OF THE EARTH. "I feel I've been getting ready to write this book all my life, for it is about my wise and gentle hero, my Grandad. It's a prayer and a thank you, a walk in the woods, and a remembering smile; and it is for anyone who has ever had a woods to walk, a prayer to whisper, a hero to love."


Douglas Wood lives with his family in a log cabin on the banks of the Mississippi River in Minnesota.

Reviews

[Britta · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful book to send your child to when she says she has nothing to do. Gorgeous illustrations are very detailed, expanding greatly on the text. This book helps enrich the imagination, but it also focuses on the natural world and on quiet introspection.

[Stephanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

A little preachy, which was off-putting especially since it's a child-to-parent directed, but I like the style of illustration and all the details. Agree with the general sentiment that "...sometimes doing nothing is the most important thing in the whole wide world to do."

Page One - Level One picture book

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

loved this book on lots of levels.

[Marilyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Who knew there are 8 ways that things grow? Now I do!

[Erin · Rating 3 out of 5]

The message of the book seems like it’s, “if you think you have nothing to do, you probably actually have a million things to do,” but that’s not the message that comes across. Nice art, though.

[Dolly · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a wonderful book to read anytime, although probably most appropriate during the long summer break when there is most often "nothing to do." It isn't so much of a story as a philosophy, an instruction manual for those booorrring days to inspire and spark a bit of creativity. The illustrations are wonderful and are based, as mentioned in the Artist's note at the beginning, on the eight patterns in nature. Our girls really enjoyed this book and we've borrowed it from the library a few times. I loved the book and thinking back to my childhood, the author's words really rang true.

[Michelle Nero · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would love to share this book with those that say there is nothing to do. The words tell much to do, but the illustrations tell so much more! I had to read the illustrations several times over as each time I noticed something new. I love how each illustrated page incorporated a different pattern in nature - explained in the artist's note.

[Lisa Nagel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book because it reminds us that sometimes we need to stop our busy lives and enjoy the simpler pleasures. In today's world of over scheduled kids(and parents)it is a message that is important to hear. I also loved the illustrations. This book reminded me of how much fun can be had when you are bored...sometimes being bored it the best stimulus to creativity!

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

"It gives me a lot of cool ideas." Frederick built an amazing fort after reading this book. It's organized with interesting artistic patterns and espouses the idea of using leisure time for creative, free play and relaxation (tree houses, hammocks, forts, etc). Loved it.

[Taylor Brune · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great book about using your imagination to come up with things to do. It is a perfect book for 1st and 2nd graders. The text in the story is informative, but the illustrations say so much more than even the words. I really enjoyed this story.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a sweet message for kids and adults alike!

[Jen · Rating 5 out of 5]

very enjoyable book! A good lesson that I need to be reminded of - sometimes the best thing to do is nothing.

[Relyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good read. Great art. Spawned some interesting curriculum tie in ideas.

[Jacquelyn DeWitt · Rating 4 out of 5]

students could write what they would do when they have nothing to do

[Sabrina · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is great for students who say they are bored. It gives the students may ideas of things to do.

[Amanda Goodman · Rating 2 out of 5]

There is just always something to do, and it can be really good to take a breather and appreciate not having to do anything. Picture book

[Heather Tietz · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book captures an era... my childhood. It's a clever little lesson for the child of today who is so easily bored.

[Jodi · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a book that would have to be read/looked at more than once to fully appreciate the illustrations which incorporate the patterns found in nature.

[Rosemond Cates · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perfect summer read! More at www.bighairandbooks.blogspot.com