A Nothing-To-Do Day
Written and Illustrated by: Heidi Jardine Stoddart
Recommended forages:4-9
DreamCatcher Books: $10.95

Just one year ago, Heidi Jardine Stoddart wrote and illustrated her first children’s book, East to the Sea. This adorable picture book is popular with anyone who wants to hold on to a little piece of the Maritimes, whether they live here now or not.

Now with the release of her second book, Heidi has tackled the challenge of what to do on those days when ‘there is nothing to do’. Seamus and Sophie are two young friends whose imaginations are active and their spirits are willing. On a beautiful summer afternoon, the two lay on their backs and gaze up at the sky. “Seamus spotted it first. ‘Look! A spaceship!’, he gasped.” Sophie, being of similar mind, saw the cloud formation and agreed that they should try to help out by escorting the spaceship to the Moon. (They do this as weightless astronauts on their backyard trampoline.)

Next the adventurous pair hears a loud ‘ squawk’ and figure it must be a pterodactyl. As they hide from this dreaded creature, they spot a tidal wave approaching. They climb aboard a life raft (a picnic table, of course) and sail through the dark seas until they reach land. At long last, they find a map that leads them home. Ironically, at this time they also hear their names being called for supper. While nibbling away at their fresh corn on the cob, Sophie’s Mom asks them what they did all day. Typical of many youngsters, they reply ‘Nothing.’

The illustrations in this story are incredible. Heidi cleverly shifts between black and white and full-colour images. As Seamus and Sophie use their vivid imaginations to go to new places, the illustrations become coloured yet while the two maintain reality, readers are treated to extremely detailed black and white drawings. Children must watch the clouds carefully because on many of the pages they foretell what Seamus and Sophie will be up to next.

This story may be about a ‘nothing-to-do day’ but in my opinion, it’s a surefire something-to-read story for youngsters aged 4-9.