Lily-May's Joyful Day

By John Schu

New York Times best-selling author John Schu and illustrator Holly Hatam present a companion tale to Ruthie Rose's Big Idea in a gentle story about finding joy in the everyday.

Today is the day that Lily-May and her best friend, Ruthie Rose, will be sharing items from their Bag of Y-O-U. The class cheers after Ruthie Rose shows off her bag full of treasures, but Lily-May can't stop her heart from racing when she pulls out a single piece of paper from hers. "Take a deep breath, Lily-May " her grandmother would say. "Hold it. Count to three." And soon the class is rapt as Lily-May explains about "joywalking"--a time to listen and think, wander and roam, explore ideas and notice--then proudly leads them all outside to take a joywalk of their own. The acclaimed team behind Ruthie Rose's Big Idea: A Poetry Story is back with a sweet and inspirational tale of mindfulness that will find a valuable place in classrooms and homes alike.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1536238627
• ISBN13: 9781536238624
• Release Date: September 2026
• Publisher: Candlewick Press (MA)
• Length: 40 Pages
• Weight: 1.25 lbs.
• Age Range: 4 to 8 years
• Grade Range: Preschool to Grade 3