What do you think?
Rate this book
This Beautiful Day
In the tradition of We’re Going on a Bear Hunt , acclaimed author Richard Jackson and award-winning illustrator Suzy Lee prove you can chase away any grey and gloomy day with just the right attitude, and a little bit of color.
Why spend a rainy day inside? As three children embrace a grey day, they seems to beckon the bright as they jump, splash, and dance outside, chasing the rain away. The day’s palette shifts from greys to a hint of blue, then more blue. Then green! Then yellow! Until the day is a technicolor extravaganza that would make Mary Poppins proud. A joyous homage to the power of a positive attitude.
Why spend a rainy day inside? As three children embrace a grey day, they seems to beckon the bright as they jump, splash, and dance outside, chasing the rain away. The day’s palette shifts from greys to a hint of blue, then more blue. Then green! Then yellow! Until the day is a technicolor extravaganza that would make Mary Poppins proud. A joyous homage to the power of a positive attitude.
32 pages, Hardcover
First published August 1, 2017
5 people are currently reading
273 people want to read
About the author
Richard Jackson
11 books5 followersRichard Jackson has been an editor/publisher of children’s books since 1962. He gave the May Hill Arbuthnot Honor Lecture in 2005, the year of his official retirement, but is still working--now as an author himself. He lives with his wife and near his grandchildren in Towson, Maryland.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 185 reviews
September 18, 2017
I love This Beautiful Day mostly because of the glorious Suzy Lee illustrations. If you love children's picture book illustrations, this book is for you!
August 22, 2017
'This Beautiful Day' could be entitled 'These Beautiful Illustrations.' The black & white sketches creatively display movement. Dribbles of color are introduced, little by little, until the final pages explode with color. Genius and lovely. The text has lots of action verbs to get the kids moving.
~Victoria
~Victoria
November 3, 2019
American author and children's book editor Richard Jackson and Korean illustrator Suzy Lee join forces in This Beautiful Day, a lovely picture-book celebration of rain storms, and the fun they can provide to young people. As the poetic text lays out some of the wonderful activities possible on a rainy day, the artwork depicts a group of children having a fabulous time...
Although I did enjoy Jackson's text here, it was the artwork by Lee that gave This Beautiful Day its wonderfully joyous quality, and really made the reading experience for me. There is such a sense of exuberant motion in the illustrations, such a sense of humor and whimsy. I loved the scenes with the umbrellas, especially the two-page spread on which the umbrellas float through the air on their own. Recommended to all young rain lovers (I was certainly one myself, as a girl!), and to fans of Suzy Lee's marvelous artwork.
Although I did enjoy Jackson's text here, it was the artwork by Lee that gave This Beautiful Day its wonderfully joyous quality, and really made the reading experience for me. There is such a sense of exuberant motion in the illustrations, such a sense of humor and whimsy. I loved the scenes with the umbrellas, especially the two-page spread on which the umbrellas float through the air on their own. Recommended to all young rain lovers (I was certainly one myself, as a girl!), and to fans of Suzy Lee's marvelous artwork.
January 14, 2023
I love the idea that a rainy day is a beautiful day. Much fun ensues when the oldest of three reframes the experience of a dreary day indoors and invites his siblings along. There's something orchestral about this story, which is rendered sweetly at first in grays and blues, with more colors added as the story unfolds. I found the middle child in the family is reminiscent of Maurice Sendak's Really Rosie, with her dark dress, costume jewelry and floppy hat --parents might wonder why she seems so familiar.
December 12, 2017
I liked this one a lot. The illustrations are much stronger than the text--the way Jackson incorporates color is super cool.
April 14, 2018
I think I'd have chosen different placement for the words, but this was the perfect book to read AS SOON AS IT STARTED TO RAIN TODAY!
July 27, 2018
An ode to life, living and enjoying it all and not bother about the weather or anything in fact, just have fun! Simple enough but still a message that we too often loose track of!
July 26, 2024
I discovered this wonderful book because I love Suzy Lee. Her illustrations are buoyant, and somehow full of sweetness and encouragement. It was Richard Jackson who wrote the wonderful, poetic words. Now I'm off to find more books by him.
July 29, 2025
A sing-songy story with pictures that go from black and white to splashes of color as the day progresses from stormy to spring.
Ages: 4 - 8
See which rainy day books our family is enjoying: watch my reel!
Content Considerations: nothing to note.
**Like my reviews? Then you should follow me! Because I have hundreds more just like this one. With each review, I provide Content Considerations, mentioning any objectionable content I come across so that parents and/or conscientious readers (like me) can determine beforehand whether they want to read a book or not. Content surprises are super annoying, especially when you’re 100+ pages in, so here’s my attempt to help you avoid that!
If you’re considering a book or looking for a new title to read, check out my highly categorized shelves, read my reviews and Friend or Follow me to spiff up your feed with clean, wholesome, living books.
I have an Instagram account that’s pretty bookishly unique too!
Ages: 4 - 8
See which rainy day books our family is enjoying: watch my reel!
Content Considerations: nothing to note.
**Like my reviews? Then you should follow me! Because I have hundreds more just like this one. With each review, I provide Content Considerations, mentioning any objectionable content I come across so that parents and/or conscientious readers (like me) can determine beforehand whether they want to read a book or not. Content surprises are super annoying, especially when you’re 100+ pages in, so here’s my attempt to help you avoid that!
If you’re considering a book or looking for a new title to read, check out my highly categorized shelves, read my reviews and Friend or Follow me to spiff up your feed with clean, wholesome, living books.
I have an Instagram account that’s pretty bookishly unique too!
August 2, 2017
You're walking back to your car after a quick stop to purchase a few items. Suddenly the voice, growing more persistent of late, tells you to stop and look up. (Read Now by Antoinette Portis and you'll know what I mean.) This is why on a blazing hot afternoon on the first day of August you find yourself taking pictures of clouds with your phone while standing in the parking lot of a big box store. You hope with all your heart, they are a prelude to much-needed rain.
Rain will soften the ground, hard as cement. Rain will ease the stress of the wild animals needing to quench their thirst. Rain will help the towering trees whose leaves are drifting down far too early for lack of water. This Beautiful Day (A Caitlyn Dlouhy Book, Atheneum Books For Young Readers, August 1, 2017) written by Richard Jackson with illustrations by Suzy Lee reminds us of the magic to be found in a joyful heart with a little help from music.
My full recommendation: http://librariansquest.blogspot.com/2...
Rain will soften the ground, hard as cement. Rain will ease the stress of the wild animals needing to quench their thirst. Rain will help the towering trees whose leaves are drifting down far too early for lack of water. This Beautiful Day (A Caitlyn Dlouhy Book, Atheneum Books For Young Readers, August 1, 2017) written by Richard Jackson with illustrations by Suzy Lee reminds us of the magic to be found in a joyful heart with a little help from music.
My full recommendation: http://librariansquest.blogspot.com/2...
October 28, 2017
B & W to color rainy day fun.
August 30, 2017
Beautiful book
September 1, 2020
Gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous. I imagined myself reading this to my future child. Love it
January 26, 2023
Some kids play indoors or outdoors, rain or shine. It's a Suzy Lee book, so the great art overshadows the lack of story.
August 5, 2017
Loved the illustrations in this one.
August 15, 2017
A cute rhyming story about kids on a rainy day.
August 30, 2017
Three children are spending a gray day inside as it pours rain. Then they start to dance and twirl, pulling blue into their day. They head outside with umbrellas and boots, walking through puddles, jumping and stomping. The rain ends and other come out with yellow and pink umbrellas and clothes, the colors starting to fill the page. Their umbrellas float up into the sky that is now blue with white clouds. The group of children play together in the field of flowers, climbing trees, rescuing umbrellas, and then treats back at home on a lovely day.
Jackson’s text is filled with motion and rhythm. It invites readers to swirl and twirl with the characters on the page. The action words in the text zing and zip, moving the book forward even as they celebrate the bad weather and move to the sunshine. There is a sense of optimism throughout the book, an acceptance and joy of rainy weather and then a true delight when it becomes sunny later.
Lee’s illustrations are lovely. They use color so skillfully, showing first the gray day while the children are quietly playing alone and then the single swirls of blue that color the children and their clothing. The book slowly unfolds with color, until it bursts like the meadow of flowers and the sun in the trees.
Share this one on rainy and sunny days. Just have umbrellas and boots ready along with popsicles too. Appropriate for ages 2-4.
Jackson’s text is filled with motion and rhythm. It invites readers to swirl and twirl with the characters on the page. The action words in the text zing and zip, moving the book forward even as they celebrate the bad weather and move to the sunshine. There is a sense of optimism throughout the book, an acceptance and joy of rainy weather and then a true delight when it becomes sunny later.
Lee’s illustrations are lovely. They use color so skillfully, showing first the gray day while the children are quietly playing alone and then the single swirls of blue that color the children and their clothing. The book slowly unfolds with color, until it bursts like the meadow of flowers and the sun in the trees.
Share this one on rainy and sunny days. Just have umbrellas and boots ready along with popsicles too. Appropriate for ages 2-4.
August 18, 2017
A beautiful picture books about having fun outside. In the beginning of the book it is raining and the picture is only in black and white. As the children have fun, more colors get added to the illustrations. By the end, the pictures are very bright and colorful. Their umbrella's are in the air and the sun is shining. A great spring read a loud for a beginning storytime book (due to length) or elementary read aloud.
September 28, 2018
Fabulous illustrations! Great use of adding color. But such a good message that even on a day that can seem sad or bleak, you can make your own fun and joy in it. I also like that the adults are not entertaining the children (at least until the end when the mother feeds them). SD needs to see that! :-)
9/26/18 Used in favorite things theme. A bit over the kids' heads, but they sat well for it.
9/26/18 Used in favorite things theme. A bit over the kids' heads, but they sat well for it.
December 21, 2017
If Suzy Lee lives in South Korea, is she eligible for the Caldecott? The illustrations are whimsical and contribute more to the storyline than the text in this story about a rainy day that turns sunny.
August 17, 2017
A joy- and magic-filled story about making the most of play on a rainy day. This book celebrates active, imaginative play which was once the domain of kids everywhere, and not an e-device in sight.
November 7, 2022
Really love the energy and the happiness in the art and lyrical rhyming text that celebrates a day of play.
September 15, 2017
This book takes a grey day and brings out the sunshine with whimsical fun.
It's raining outside, something that would keep many kids gloom and bored. But these kids refuse to let the weather get them down. It's a beautiful day, and it's all in the attitude to make warmth shine through until everyone is caught up in the joyful mood.
One read through this book and smiles are guaranteed. With determination and simply a great attitude, grey turns into a rainbow of colors. It's a lovely message that hits home through the simple text and engaging illustrations. There aren't many words, just a short phrase or two on each two-page spread. The wording offers exactly enough to set the base, while the illustrations take on the rest. The combination is extremely well-balanced and allows young readers to flip through the pages and enjoy the story even on their own.
The illustrations bring this book to life. Starting with monotone grays and whites, the gloominess clings to the pages. Little by little, as the characters dive into cheerful thoughts and let their positive attitude overflow, colors dance in between the dark lines. By the end, a rainbow of brightness beams from every picture making the memory of anything mundane disappear. A gentle dose of fantasy glides in the last half of the story, adding a lovely sense of adventure, freedom and imagination. As the characters take off in the last scenes, it's hard not to want to join in and chase the beautiful day along with them. And maybe that's exactly what young readers should do.
I received a complimentary copy and found this to be such a wonderful read that I wanted to leave my honest thoughts.
It's raining outside, something that would keep many kids gloom and bored. But these kids refuse to let the weather get them down. It's a beautiful day, and it's all in the attitude to make warmth shine through until everyone is caught up in the joyful mood.
One read through this book and smiles are guaranteed. With determination and simply a great attitude, grey turns into a rainbow of colors. It's a lovely message that hits home through the simple text and engaging illustrations. There aren't many words, just a short phrase or two on each two-page spread. The wording offers exactly enough to set the base, while the illustrations take on the rest. The combination is extremely well-balanced and allows young readers to flip through the pages and enjoy the story even on their own.
The illustrations bring this book to life. Starting with monotone grays and whites, the gloominess clings to the pages. Little by little, as the characters dive into cheerful thoughts and let their positive attitude overflow, colors dance in between the dark lines. By the end, a rainbow of brightness beams from every picture making the memory of anything mundane disappear. A gentle dose of fantasy glides in the last half of the story, adding a lovely sense of adventure, freedom and imagination. As the characters take off in the last scenes, it's hard not to want to join in and chase the beautiful day along with them. And maybe that's exactly what young readers should do.
I received a complimentary copy and found this to be such a wonderful read that I wanted to leave my honest thoughts.
November 12, 2017
This review was originally written for The Baby Bookworm. Visit us for new picture books reviews daily!
Hello, friends! Today, we’re reviewing This Beautiful Day, written by Richard Jackson and illustrated by Suzy Lee, a celebration of the often-underestimated potential for loveliness in rainy days.
Told in flowing syncopated rhyme, the story opens on three children, watching the dark skies outside their window. Nothing to do because of the rain? No way – just put on a little music so you can dance and spin, all in time to the rain’s pitter-pat. And when the rain lets up a bit, grab your umbrella, because misty weather is perfect for a puddle parade with friends. And when the sky lightens and the sun comes out again, you’ll know that a good day has nothing to do with the weather, and everything to do with a positive attitude and being with good friends.
This was a sweet and fun book with a simple message, some great art, and a good deal of charm. I loved Lee’s use of watercolors to represent water and clouds, and gradual shift from grayscale to full color as the weather became brighter and clear. The message is a great one as well, showing that having a good attitude can make any day a beautiful one. The unusual rhyme scheme tripped me up a few times on first reading, but not so much that it diminished our enjoyment of the book. The length was good, and JJ enjoyed it, so we can definitely recommend this wonderful rainy day read. Baby Bookworm approved!
Be sure to check out The Baby Bookworm for more reviews!
November 21, 2017
The three children are stuck inside the house on a stormy day until the brother turns on his radio and they hear music drifting in the air. It turns everything around, including the children who don their galoshes and grab their umbrellas to dance in the rain, then join the crowd of kids out parading after the shower is over.
Dick Jackson's poetic text gives Suzy Lee just enough of a framework to hang on, so she can take the ball and run. (Sidebar of truth: I am a big, big fan of her work!) Lee takes what could have been ordinary text and transforms it into the story. The book begins with black and white illustrations -- very dreary. Once the music is turned on, the blue dots coming from the boombox indicate that something magical is about to begin. The more animated the children become, the more color appears on the page, starting with the same shade of blue Lee used in her wordless book Wave. As the story moves forward, readers see a hint of green, then a whole rainbow of colors pops up after the rain ends and the children celebrate the beautiful day as only children can and will.
Be sure to take a look at the front endsheets and back endsheets to see if you think she got these right. I do! Another stunning work by this talented duo .
Dick Jackson's poetic text gives Suzy Lee just enough of a framework to hang on, so she can take the ball and run. (Sidebar of truth: I am a big, big fan of her work!) Lee takes what could have been ordinary text and transforms it into the story. The book begins with black and white illustrations -- very dreary. Once the music is turned on, the blue dots coming from the boombox indicate that something magical is about to begin. The more animated the children become, the more color appears on the page, starting with the same shade of blue Lee used in her wordless book Wave. As the story moves forward, readers see a hint of green, then a whole rainbow of colors pops up after the rain ends and the children celebrate the beautiful day as only children can and will.
Be sure to take a look at the front endsheets and back endsheets to see if you think she got these right. I do! Another stunning work by this talented duo .
August 26, 2017
First sentence: This beautiful day...has everyone dancing and spinning and swinging around, has all of us stamping and stomping our feet on the ground...
Premise/plot: Readers see what one family does on a rainy day. This book answers the question, "Can rainy days be beautiful?!"
My thoughts: I liked this one. I definitely liked it. But it's not a book best appreciated with a brief, quick scan. This is a book that demands your fuller attention. I noticed so much more the second time I read it. I can only imagine that a few more times will bring even more detail to my attention. For example, notice the endpapers. The opening endpapers are black, white, and gray--a stormy day indeed. The closing endpapers are a huge contrast: we see a beautiful BLUE sky with a happy-happy family running, jumping, playing.
The illustrations make this one WONDERFUL. Without a doubt the illustrations make a good book, GREAT. I love how expressive and lively the illustrations are.
Text: 4 out of 5
Illustrations: 5 out of 5
Total: 9 out of 10
Premise/plot: Readers see what one family does on a rainy day. This book answers the question, "Can rainy days be beautiful?!"
My thoughts: I liked this one. I definitely liked it. But it's not a book best appreciated with a brief, quick scan. This is a book that demands your fuller attention. I noticed so much more the second time I read it. I can only imagine that a few more times will bring even more detail to my attention. For example, notice the endpapers. The opening endpapers are black, white, and gray--a stormy day indeed. The closing endpapers are a huge contrast: we see a beautiful BLUE sky with a happy-happy family running, jumping, playing.
The illustrations make this one WONDERFUL. Without a doubt the illustrations make a good book, GREAT. I love how expressive and lively the illustrations are.
Text: 4 out of 5
Illustrations: 5 out of 5
Total: 9 out of 10
December 20, 2017
Jackson, Richard. This Beautiful Day, PICTURE BOOK. Atheneum Books for Young Readers, 2017. $15.99.
It’s a rainy day outside, but a group of siblings aren’t going to let that stop them from having a good time. They decide to dance to some music, do some spins in the air. They take their party outside with some umbrellas and stomp and swing and sing. They gather a crowd together until the clouds start to fade and everyone is enjoying a different kind of brilliant, beautiful day.
The artwork in this book transitions from grays, blacks, and whites to brighter vivid colors as the children have fun and the sun comes out. The transfer in colors is very striking and well done. It’s even included on the jacket art. The book is cute and the text and illustrations match well, but the text isn’t as exciting as the pictures are.
PRE-K, EL (K-3)- ADVISABLE. Reviewed by Shay, School Librarian
http://kissthebook.blogspot.com/2017/...
It’s a rainy day outside, but a group of siblings aren’t going to let that stop them from having a good time. They decide to dance to some music, do some spins in the air. They take their party outside with some umbrellas and stomp and swing and sing. They gather a crowd together until the clouds start to fade and everyone is enjoying a different kind of brilliant, beautiful day.
The artwork in this book transitions from grays, blacks, and whites to brighter vivid colors as the children have fun and the sun comes out. The transfer in colors is very striking and well done. It’s even included on the jacket art. The book is cute and the text and illustrations match well, but the text isn’t as exciting as the pictures are.
PRE-K, EL (K-3)- ADVISABLE. Reviewed by Shay, School Librarian
http://kissthebook.blogspot.com/2017/...
September 7, 2017
At first, boy and his younger brother and sisters are bored, cooped up inside by a rainy day. That is, until the boy sets the radio playing, jumps up, and starts to dance with his siblings. Even their adorable dog joins the fun. They parade outside with umbrellas, and next thing you know the other neighborhood children come out, too, just in time for the rain to stop and the sun to begin shining. The text scans well, with plenty of rhyming phrases, “This beautiful day… / so great for parading, / for cartwheeling fun / or hiding and seeking / or gliding / and sliding in this marigold sun…” The figures, sketched in pencil and acrylics, burst with motion. The colors mirror the growing exuberance, starting with pages of just grey, white, and blue and gradually adding in all the colors of a glorious summer day.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 185 reviews