Now

by Antoinette Portis

This is my favorite cloud. . .because it's the one I am watching.
This is my favorite tree. . .because it's the one where I'm swinging.
This is my favorite tooth. . .because it's the one that is missing.

Follow a little girl as she takes you on a tour through all of her favorite things, from the holes she digs to the hugs she gives.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Fiction, Storytime, Nature, Family, Juvenile

32 pages, Hardcover

First published July 11, 2017

About the author

Antoinette attended the UCLA School of Fine Arts and is a former creative director at Disney. She lives in Southern California.

Reviews

[Calista · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love the artwork in this book and I love the essence of the story. It’s really a spiritual book, not really, but the point it’s getting across. Be in the moment. Love what you are doing at this moment. Each page, this girl is in mud, or water and that is her favorite thing, because it’s now. It’s a powerful little message and it’s nicely done. It is a beginning story and it’s a simple story.

My nephew is 6 and he thought this book was boring. Nothing happens but this girl stands in mud or splashes in a stream of water. He would rather watch TV. He gave this 1 star. So much for that book.

I thought it was a nice book.

[KC · Rating 5 out of 5]

A truly zen story about living in the moment and being appreciative of what you have right now.

[T.E. Antonino · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Now" is a very peaceful and gently meditative book. It reminds you to live in the moment, because the moment is all will ever have. The illustrations remind me of an over cast autumn day. The images are simple, but beautiful. I enjoyed this picture book very much. I believe kids of all ages will find book fun and captivating Happy reading!

[Christine (Tina) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful depiction of being right here, right now, and appreciating every moment of it!

[Steve Holden · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a beautiful looking new book from Antoinette Portis. The cover pulls you in, and it makes you want to open it up and see what you need to be reading now! The message is simple, but powerful; live in the moment and make the most of everything in front of you. I'll have to check out her extensive list of books - I'm not familiar!

[June · Rating 3 out of 5]

Picture book about enjoying the moment. A child lists her favorites of what she is doing now.

Best comment I have heard about it is "It was my favorite book while reading it."

[Danielle H]

Let's try to be present and appreciative types out the woman who read this while listening to music, loading apps on her phone and thinking about what errands she has to run after work.

[Baby Bookworm · Rating 4 out of 5]

This review was originally written for The Baby Bookworm. Visit us for new picture books reviews daily!

Hello, friends! Our book today is Now by Antoinette Portis, a lovely meditation on the simple pleasures of living in the moment.

An exhilarating breeze blows through a little girl’s hair; this is her favorite breeze. She holds a crimson autumn leaf the same span as her face; this is her favorite leaf. With each new object, sensation, or activity, the little girl proclaims each as her favorite – the tree because she is swinging from it, the mud because she is squishing it between her toes, the moon she is gazing up at. Each moment she is currently in is her favorite, because each is what she is experiencing right now… and because of who she is experiencing it with.

This is a simple story with a quiet and somewhat unassuming presence, but it will surprise you: it’s filled with quiet, guileless elegance and a phenomenally satisfying emotional payoff. While the tone definitely suggests themes of zen or mindfulness, the truth is that it does a great job of embodying the way little ones see the world – that each moment is their most important yet – and how we as adults impact this. It’s an enlightening perspective for both age groups to consider. Portis’s art echoes this, capturing both the trivial and the sublime, and examining the magical details that children notice and adults all too often overlook. The length is great, JJ adored the art, and the last page is a stunner for anyone who loves to read with their child. Thoughtful, warm, and full of wonder, and it’s Baby Bookworm approved!

Be sure to check out The Baby Bookworm for more reviews!

[Beth Honeycutt · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm imagining using this book in a few different ways at the beginning of the school year - to Talk about mindfulness or as a way to get to know students. "This is my favorite ..."

[Carrie Gelson · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I finished this little book, it was my favourite.

[Evan · Rating 5 out of 5]

A visual reminder to live more in the moment.

[Margaret · Rating 5 out of 5]

More than four hundred fifty years ago, a phrase was coined indicating you should do something immediately rather than wait for a more opportune time. It was understood there was no purpose in planning and fretting about possibilities; it was believed the present was the optimum moment. Today this definition still holds true.

Another perspective for there's no time like the present would be to ask ourselves to pause and rest our minds. Are we constantly mulling over an incident from the past? Are we thinking about something which may or may not happen in hours, days or weeks in the future? What wonder would we enjoy if we focused on the present alone? Now (A Neal Porter Book, Roaring Brook Press, July 11, 2017) written and illustrated by Antoinette Portis (Wait, Best Frints in the Whole Universe) through the mind and actions of a child depicts finding joy in the moment.



My full recommendation: http://librariansquest.blogspot.com/2...

[Tasha · Rating 5 out of 5]

This picture book celebrates living in the now as a little girl walks readers through her favorite things. Each of them is her favorite because it is the one she is interacting with right then. It is her favorite cloud because it’s the one she is watching. This is her favorite song because it’s the one she is singing.

The book is pure simplicity with its concept and the art. The concept is used throughout the book, the writing straight forward and also celebrating something deeper too. It’s about a connection to the present moment and a joy in just spending time doing exactly what you are doing and loving it.

The art of the picture book also speaks to the connection with the now. Done in thick lines and rich matte colors, the illustrations show the playful nature of simple pleasures in life.

Perfect for those of us who love the book we are reading right now most of all, this picture book is about simple pleasures and enjoying the current moment fully. Appropriate for ages 3-5.

[Jana · Rating 5 out of 5]

With simple, lyrical text and beautiful illustrations that were created using sumi ink, brush, and bamboo stick, this charming picture book shares a young girl's favorite things. She loves all sorts of things, mainly because it's what she is enjoying at the moment. There is a lovely message for readers of all ages to find contentment in the present moment, instead of focusing on what you don't have or stressing out about things in the past or the future. This could be a terrific mentor text to help young writers create their own list of favorites!

[Critterbee❇ · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a great philosophy to introduce to children, although honestly, I think children could teach adults a thing or two about living in the Now.

Beautiful illustrations and a simple tale of a girl sharing her favorite things with the reader. Turns out, her favorite rain, tree, hug, everything, is what is happening right now. We all need to appreciate the Now a little more. I loved this book's celebration of everything that is wondrous right now, because it is now.

[Michael Fitzgerald · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not sure we needed this book. Yes, children sometimes call everything their "favorite" because they don't yet comprehend the idea of comparison or don't have enough experiences in their short existences to have been introduced to a better whatever. In that case, so what? But I fear that this might be a "live for the moment" Zen kind of message where everything is relative and your truth is true for you.

[Niki Marion · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed WAIT better, but I love the book design and the small details (the protagonist's hair clumping in the rain is soooo on point!) that support a kiddo's rationale behind their favorite objects & actions: "This is my favorite cloud because it is the one I am watching." Slight shifts in verb tense also present gentle introductions to such grammar rules.

[Cindy Dobrez · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Mindfulness crowd now have a picture book to share with their children and/or grandchildren. This is an ode to being present in the moment, to enjoying "Now." The text has a soothing, calming cadence that works with the clean, spare artwork to support the theme of simplicity and mindfulness. This is my favorite book...because I am reading it now. <3

[Beth Kakuma-Depew · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very simple lovely story about the importance of being In The Moment. Not sure how many kids would get this, but I would recommend reading it one-on-one. The quietness of the text would make this a good naptime/bedtime read.

[★ gwiz ★ · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful lesson to living in the moment for kids of all ages.

[Chance Lee · Rating 3 out of 5]

A sweet story about a girl whose favorite things are whatever she's currently experiencing. Maybe there's a deeper philosophical meaning about living in the moment.

[Lindsey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful. Makes me think about meditation and being present in the current moment.

[Angie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the message of this book. Be present in what you are doing and be happy with your present. It is a fantastic message in a time when everyone is looking ahead instead of looking around.

[Margaret Boling · Rating 3 out of 5]

1/27/2018 ~~ Possibly partner this with The Three Questions by Muth.

[Peacegal · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bright, simple storybook about finding joy in the moment.

[Bill Landau · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book...
It’s just perfect. I love everything about it. If you are a parent (Emily), you need to get this book.

[Janice · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lesson on finding joy in the present moment, through the eyes of a child.

[Afoma (Reading Middle Grade) · Rating 5 out of 5]

An important (and just gorgeous) reminder to stay in the now. ❤️

[Alisha · Rating 3 out of 5]

The main character of the story lists all of her favorite things (including leaves, mud, and worms) but her favorite moment is "now" because she is sharing it with you. Um. Eyeroll. Too saccharine.

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Appreciate the now, live life to the fullest. Beautifully presented important message for all our stressed-out hurry-up-and-wait families.

I do like Portis' work.