Beautiful Day!: Petite Poems for All Seasons
What’s inside...
Beautiful Day is a picture book of haiku-inspired poems celebrating the four seasons from author Rodoula Pappa and illustrator Seng Soun Ratanavanh. Beautiful day! Teach me, too, how to fly, mother swallow! In simple, poetic verse, a child observes their world from spring to summer, and autumn through winter, in this gentle ode to the seasons, accompanied by exquisite illustrations.
Age
5-7
Length
56 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
Which poem was your favorite and why did it stand out to you?
How do the poems make you feel about the different seasons?
Can you think of your own experience that reminds you of something from the book?
If you could add a poem to the book, what season would it be about and what would you include in it?
How do the illustrations help you understand the poems better?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to express their feelings about each season as portrayed in the poems.
Discuss the sensory descriptions in the poems and ask your child to describe what they see, hear, smell, taste, and feel.
Create a fun activity by writing a poem together with your child about their favorite season or a memorable day.
Use the illustrations as a conversation starter by asking your child to describe what they notice and how it complements the poem.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Appreciation of nature
Explanation: Through simple and engaging poems, the book educates children about the beauty and diversity of each season, encouraging a deeper appreciation for the natural world.
Real-World Application: Children can be encouraged to observe and interact with their environment, recognizing the changes and beauty of each season, fostering a lifelong respect and care for nature.
Example Lesson: Understanding the passage of time
Explanation: The book's structure around the four seasons helps children understand the concept of time and its cyclical nature through the lens of seasonal changes.
Real-World Application: Children can relate this understanding to their own routines and developments, recognizing patterns and growth over time in their personal lives and surroundings.
Example Lesson: Embracing change
Explanation: Each poem introduces how seasons distinctly transform the environment, helping children grasp that change is a natural and positive part of life.
Real-World Application: This lesson equips children to adapt to changes in their own lives, such as moving to a new place, starting a new school year, or adjusting to any new situation.
Example Lesson: Expressing creativity
Explanation: The poetic format of the book encourages children to explore language creatively and appreciate literary expressions.
Real-World Application: Children can be motivated to express themselves through writing their own simple poems or stories, enhancing their literacy skills and emotional expression.
Example Lesson: Observational skills
Explanation: By describing the details of each season, the book nurtures a child’s attention to detail and observational skills.
Real-World Application: Enhanced observational skills can help children in academic settings and in everyday life, making them more attentive and mindful of their surroundings.