Lily-May's Joyful Day

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.

Standard and Primary covers are widely available through general retailers. They often have higher print runs and can be cheaper, especially during sales.

In contrast, Direct Market (DM) and variant covers are primarily sold in comic shops. DM editions tend to have more limited availability and may be more valuable to collectors.

The main differences lie in artwork style, availability, price, and collector appeal. Ultimately, the choice between standard and variant covers depends on personal preference, budget, and individual collecting goals.

Comic book enthusiasts have various formats to choose from when collecting their favorite stories.
Here's a brief overview of the main types:

Omnibus

• Large, hardcover collections
• Usually contain complete runs or extensive story arcs
• Typically 800-1000+ pages
• Higher price point, often €100-€150

Oversized Hardcover (OHC)

• Similar dimensions to omnibus, but thinner
• Collect shorter runs or story arcs
• Usually 300-600 pages
• Priced between €30-€50

Hardcover (HC)

• Standard-sized hardcover books
• Collect 6-12 issues typically
• Similar dimensions to single issues, but with a hard cover
• Priced around €25-€35

Trade Paperback (TP)

• Softcover collections
• Standard comic book size
• Usually collect 4-6 issues
• Most affordable option, typically €15-€25

Other Formats

• Absolute Editions: Oversized, deluxe hardcovers (mainly DC Comics)
• Compendiums: Massive paperback collections
• Graphic Novels (OGN/GN): Original stories not previously released as single issues

The choice between these formats often depends on personal preference, budget, and collecting goals. Omnibus and OHC editions offer larger artwork and more content but at a higher price, while TPs provide a more affordable way to collect complete story arcs