Let's Do Everything and Nothing
on Goodreads (436)
What’s inside...
Let's Do Everything and Nothing is a lush and lyrical picture book by Julia Kuo that celebrates special moments—big and small—shared with a child. The book explores the vastness of love through beautiful imagery of nature, from climbing hills and diving into lakes, to reaching starry skies and watching clouds parade. It highlights that love can feel as grand as a sky full of breathtaking clouds or as gentle as a starlit night. It can scale the tallest mountains and reach the deepest depths of the sea. When standing side by side with someone you love, the unimaginable can seem achievable. However, the book also emphasizes that not every magical moment has to be extraordinary, as simply being together can be the best journey of all.
Age
3-6
Length
32 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
How do you feel when we spend time together doing fun activities?
What's your favorite part of resting and why do you think it’s important?
Can you think of a day when we did both busy activities and relaxing ones? What did we do?
Why do you think the characters in the book like being together?
How does the story make you feel about our time spent together?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to express their thoughts and feelings about the book’s themes by asking them to relate the story to their own experiences. Actively listen to their responses and share your own feelings to enhance the bonding experience. Use the illustrations in the book to point out emotions and situations, asking your child how they relate or differ from their own life. Lastly, emphasize that spending time together, both in activity and rest, is valuable in strengthening relationships.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: The value of companionship
Explanation: The story illustrates the deep bond between a mother and child as they spend their days together doing both adventurous and quiet activities.
Real-World Application: Children learn the importance of spending quality time with loved ones, understanding that companionship enriches any experience.
Example Lesson: Appreciating simple pleasures
Explanation: The narrative shows the characters finding joy in both 'everything'—active pursuits—and 'nothing'—peaceful moments.
Real-World Application: Kids are encouraged to find happiness in simple moments like watching clouds or quiet reading, fostering a sense of gratitude and contentment.
Example Lesson: Balance between activity and rest
Explanation: The book juxtaposes a variety of activities with moments of stillness, emphasizing the need for a balance.
Real-World Application: This lesson helps children understand the importance of rest and relaxation after periods of activity, promoting healthy habits of self-care and mindfulness.
Example Lesson: Imagination and creativity
Explanation: As the characters engage in activities ranging from ‘flying a kite’ to ‘doing nothing’, the story celebrates using one's imagination to transform ordinary moments into extraordinary ones.
Real-World Application: Encourages children to use their creativity to enhance their playtime and daily activities, boosting their creative thinking skills.
Example Lesson: Being present in the moment
Explanation: Throughout their adventures and quiet times, the characters are very much engaged in the present moment, teaching mindfulness.
Real-World Application: This can help children learn to focus on the present task, enhancing their attention skills and reducing anxieties about past or future.