On a magical do nothing day One early Sunday morning, I woke up to the sound of raindrops tapping on the window pane. I could see the gray clouds hanging low in the sky, signaling that it was going to be a gloomy day. As I lay in bed, trying to decide what to do, I couldn't help but feel a sense of restlessness. It had been a busy week, with deadlines at work and chores at home constantly calling for attention. But on this particular day, something inside me yearned for a break from the chaos of everyday life. I wanted a day where time would stand still, where I could simply exist without any obligations or responsibilities.
When Great Aunt Reba dies, she leaves some money to the family. Greg’s mom calls a family meeting to determine what to do with their share, proposing home improvements and then overruling the family’s cartoonish wish lists and instead pushing for an addition to the kitchen. Before bringing in the construction crew, the Heffleys attempt to do minor maintenance and repairs themselves—during which Greg fails at the work in various slapstick scenes. Once the professionals are brought in, the problems keep getting worse: angry neighbors, terrifying problems in walls, and—most serious—civil permitting issues that put the kibosh on what work’s been done. Left with only enough inheritance to patch and repair the exterior of the house—and with the school’s dismal standardized test scores as a final straw—Greg’s mom steers the family toward moving, opening up house-hunting and house-selling storylines (and devastating loyal Rowley, who doesn’t want to lose his best friend). While Greg’s positive about the move, he’s not completely uncaring about Rowley’s action. (And of course, Greg himself is not as unaffected as he wishes.) The gags include effectively placed callbacks to seemingly incidental events (the “stress lizard” brought in on testing day is particularly funny) and a lampoon of after-school-special–style problem books. Just when it seems that the Heffleys really will move, a new sequence of chaotic trouble and property destruction heralds a return to the status quo. Whew.
Once the professionals are brought in, the problems keep getting worse angry neighbors, terrifying problems in walls, and most serious civil permitting issues that put the kibosh on what work s been done. Activities Include Cover Page Cover Story Pre-Reading Activity Let s Take a Picture Walk Compare and Contrast Sunny Days and Rainy Days Story Map Important Events in the Story Making Connections Text to Self Making Connections Text to Text Making Connections Text to World Do-Nothing Day Books Do-Nothing Adventures Redesign the Book s Cover A,B,C s of Do-Nothing Days On a Magical Do-Nothing Day 3,2,1 Activity Word Search Book Review.
I wanted a day where time would stand still, where I could simply exist without any obligations or responsibilities. And so, I made the conscious decision to have a magical do nothing day. I decided to immerse myself in the beauty of solitude and embrace the joy of doing absolutely nothing.
On a Magical Do-Nothing Day by Alemagna 16 Book Extension Activities NO PREP
SAVE 50% WHEN YOU BUY THE BUNDLE!There are several It's Time for a Story Bundles available in my TPT Store. This is SET FOUR. 155 Book Extension Activities to go Along With 10 TitlesAll titles are appropriate for an elementary school library. Each book’s activities can be differentiated to accommoda
Products $14.50 Price $14.50 $27.50 Original Price $27.50 Save $13.00 View BundleSecond Grade Story Time Favorites! SAVE 50% WHEN YOU BUY THE BUNDLE!10 Book Bundle Includes:I Am a Cat by BernsteinRot by ClantonBizzy Mizz Lizzie by ShannonOn a Magical Do-Nothing Day by AlemagnaLucia the Luchadora by GarzaThe Wolf, The Duck, and The Mouse by BarnettFrankencrayon by HallRead the Bo
Products $15.00 Price $15.00 $28.00 Original Price $28.00 Save $13.00 View BundleDescription
We all need a magical do-nothing day! Give your students a reason to take a break from screens and explore nature.
From Amazon:
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.
I have created 16 book extension activities for his title.
Activities Include:
Cover Page
Cover Story Pre-Reading Activity
Let’s Take a Picture Walk
Compare and Contrast Sunny Days and Rainy Days
Story Map
Important Events in the Story
Making Connections Text to Self
Making Connections Text to Text
Making Connections Text to World
Do-Nothing Day Books
Do-Nothing Adventures
Redesign the Book’s Cover
A,B,C’s of Do-Nothing Days
On a Magical Do-Nothing Day 3,2,1 Activity
Word Search
Book Review
An effective argument for unplugged exploration, submitted through startlingly beautiful words and pictures.
I started the day by brewing a cup of my favorite tea and curling up on the couch with a good book. The raindrops outside created a soothing soundtrack, and I lost myself in the pages of the story. As the hours ticked by, I found myself getting lost in the imaginary world woven by the author's words. When hunger finally struck, I decided to indulge myself in a lazy breakfast. I made a stack of fluffy pancakes, topped with a generous drizzle of maple syrup. As I savored every bite, I let go of any guilt or thoughts of productivity, fully embracing the simple pleasure of enjoying a meal without rushing through it. After breakfast, I gave in to the temptation of a long, warm bubble bath. I filled the tub with fragrant oils and closed my eyes, letting the warm water envelope my body and wash away any lingering stress. In that moment, it felt as though time had stopped, and I was suspended in a state of pure relaxation. As the day wore on, I reveled in the simplicity of doing nothing. I painted without purpose, letting the colors blend and swirl on the canvas, creating a masterpiece that had no meaning other than the act of creation itself. I danced around the living room, moving my body to the rhythm of the music, with no care for how foolish I may have looked. The day passed in a blink of an eye, and as the sun began to set, I felt a sense of contentment wash over me. It was a day of indulgence, of giving myself permission to do nothing without feeling guilty. It was a day of reconnecting with my own desires and finding solace in the quiet moments. As I lay in bed that night, reflecting on the magical do nothing day, I realized the importance of allowing ourselves moments of stillness amidst the chaos of life. In the rush to achieve and be productive, we often forget to take a step back and simply exist. And it is in those moments of quietude that we find a renewed sense of inspiration, a spark that ignites our creative spirit. The following morning, as I returned to the reality of deadlines and responsibilities, I carried the essence of the magical do nothing day with me. It was a reminder that amidst the chaos, I could always take a moment to pause, to breathe, and to find solace in doing nothing at all..
Reviews for "The Art of Doing Nothing: 7 Magical Tips for a Perfect Do-Nothing Day"
1. Sarah - 2/5
I was really excited to read "On a magical do nothing day" based on the rave reviews I had seen. However, I found the book to be extremely boring and slow-paced. The storyline lacked depth and the characters were not compelling. Overall, I was disappointed with this book and would not recommend it.
2. David - 1/5
"On a magical do nothing day" was a complete waste of my time. The writing style was pretentious and convoluted, making it difficult to follow the story. I found the characters to be one-dimensional and unlikable. The author tried to create a sense of magic and wonder, but it fell flat for me. I struggled to finish this book and would not recommend it to others.
3. Emily - 2/5
I had high hopes for "On a magical do nothing day" but it did not live up to the hype. The plot was predictable and lacked originality. The writing felt forced and overly descriptive, making it difficult to connect with the story. I found myself disinterested in the characters and their journey. Overall, I was underwhelmed by this book and would not recommend it to fellow readers.
4. Mark - 2/5
I generally enjoy books in this genre, but "On a magical do nothing day" was a miss for me. The pacing was incredibly slow and I struggled to stay engaged with the story. The characters felt like caricatures and lacked depth. The magic elements felt shoehorned in and did not add anything significant to the plot. Overall, I was unsatisfied with this book and would not recommend it.