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Tomorrow
Age range 5 to 9 Yazan no longer goes to the park to play, and he no longer sees his friend who lives next door. Everything around him is changing. His parents sit in front of the television with the news turned up LOUD and Yazan's little red bike leans forgotten against the wall. Will he ever be able to go outside and play An uplifting story about a courageous little boy growing up in a time of conflict, and the strength of family love. 'A compassionate story that shows the power of art.' - My Book Corner 'An important picture book.' - Books for Keeps, 5 STARS
32 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2018
52 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
September 1, 2018
Tomorrow is a poignant picture book offering a window into what life might be like for children living under conditions of war, portraying the all-consuming darkness that war can bring into family life.
A young boy called Yazan lives in a war-torn Syrian town. Yazan senses everything changing around him as he is no longer allowed to visit the park or to enjoy playing outside in the street.
Even Yazan’s parents are changing. His mother watches the news with the volume turned up and his father fearfully makes phone calls before daring to leave the house. Fear and anxiety invade the household like a dark cloud filling each room with gloom and despair.
Yazan is bored of being stuck inside and decides to cycle to the park by himself. Venturing outside, he sees the once lively streets are now desolate and crumbling. To Yazan’s relief, his father appears in time to take him back home and the family work together to create a new way to bring some colour and joy back to the house despite the troublesome circumstances outside.
The use of pattern and colour is wonderfully striking. Images of the war-torn streets become projected onto clothes and furnishings inside the house, demonstrating the terrifying emotional impact on the family of what is happening outside the window. Almost everything becomes coloured by the dark and gloomy palette that represents the war, with only the most precious objects of joy retaining a splash of brighter colour.
Although the subject is a harrowing one, the story is told with much sensitivity and young children with little or no understanding of the context will be able to gather how the boy’s family life has become much darker and less safe due to changes happening outside his home. Enough information is exposed to offer a springboard into wider discussions about the context, without presenting any details of the Syrian situation too directly.
Tomorrow is an important and accomplished picture book that evokes empathy and opens avenues to start discussing real experiences for other children around the world. The splashes of colour and the joyful final page leave the story with hints of hope, as does the author’s note at the end, in which she discusses how the title reflects the 'wait for a time when "tomorrow" can be a better day for all Syrian children.'
Many thanks to the publisher for kindly sending me a review copy of this book.
A young boy called Yazan lives in a war-torn Syrian town. Yazan senses everything changing around him as he is no longer allowed to visit the park or to enjoy playing outside in the street.
Even Yazan’s parents are changing. His mother watches the news with the volume turned up and his father fearfully makes phone calls before daring to leave the house. Fear and anxiety invade the household like a dark cloud filling each room with gloom and despair.
Yazan is bored of being stuck inside and decides to cycle to the park by himself. Venturing outside, he sees the once lively streets are now desolate and crumbling. To Yazan’s relief, his father appears in time to take him back home and the family work together to create a new way to bring some colour and joy back to the house despite the troublesome circumstances outside.
The use of pattern and colour is wonderfully striking. Images of the war-torn streets become projected onto clothes and furnishings inside the house, demonstrating the terrifying emotional impact on the family of what is happening outside the window. Almost everything becomes coloured by the dark and gloomy palette that represents the war, with only the most precious objects of joy retaining a splash of brighter colour.
Although the subject is a harrowing one, the story is told with much sensitivity and young children with little or no understanding of the context will be able to gather how the boy’s family life has become much darker and less safe due to changes happening outside his home. Enough information is exposed to offer a springboard into wider discussions about the context, without presenting any details of the Syrian situation too directly.
Tomorrow is an important and accomplished picture book that evokes empathy and opens avenues to start discussing real experiences for other children around the world. The splashes of colour and the joyful final page leave the story with hints of hope, as does the author’s note at the end, in which she discusses how the title reflects the 'wait for a time when "tomorrow" can be a better day for all Syrian children.'
Many thanks to the publisher for kindly sending me a review copy of this book.
November 17, 2018
Yazan's world is changing and he doesn't understand what is going on. This is the story of coping amid a world at war with beauty and creativity and hope. It's a beautiful book, with simple yet complex illustrations that add greatly to the story.
October 24, 2019
A wonderful book with a powerful message. Before reading this book I had no clue that it would be about Syrian children being 'trapped' in their homes due to war outside. This book highlights the innocence of young children's thoughts, Yazan had no idea why he wasn't allowed out and was therefore confused. Another powerful message which could be learnt from reading this book would be about appreciating the little things such as going to the park with friends as well as important things like going to school! This book could be used as a focus point within a unit of work for English in KS2 classes.
May 9, 2018
Inspired by events in her hometown of Damascus, the author/illustrator has crafted a story of resilience and hope that tomorrow things will change and be much better. After violence comes to his country and neighborhood, Yazan notices how it has affected everything. Not only does he no longer get to meet with friends or go outside, but his mother is preoccupied by the news and no longer paints. After a particularly boring day when his parents keep putting him off and pay little attention to the boy, he ventures outside to the park by himself. But noting is as he remembers, and the streets are deserted. Unsure about whether he should keep heading to the park or go back home, Yazan is scooped up by his father, and they return home. Grateful to have her son back home, safe and sound, and aware of the risks he just took, Yazan's mother distracts him by painting park scenes on his bedroom walls, a palpable reminder of what he has to look forward to in the future. Many youngsters who live amid violence and long for days of peace will appreciate this picture book while those who have never had to deal with violence or war up close will have their awareness of world conditions raised through the book. I liked the images, created with watercolor and pencils. The endpapers feature paper dolls holding hands across a blue sky in the front and across green grass in the back. The cover captures perfectly Yazan's confusion at being in danger in a place that once was a familiar and safe spot for him. This picture book is perfect for sharing with others who wonder what life is like living under the ever-present threat of violence and war rather than peace.
September 8, 2018
Tomorrow provides a child’s-eye view of life in a Syrian neighborhood when war disrupts everyday activities. While several picture books published in the past several years have focused on the traumatic onset of war, the journey from a war zone, the plight of refugees, and/or the need to welcome refugees to our communities and schools, Kaadan’s focus is on the immediate onset of the conflict, and it’s written from a child’s perspective. Rather than depicting injury, death, or flight – occurrences that would overwhelm children, Kaadan highlights Yazan's inability to play outside and interact with friends, disruptions to education, and experiencing loud newscasts – all very kid-relatable occurrences. I especially appreciated the focus on Yazan’s boredom – an emotion not often mentioned in stories dealing with conflict but that is an understandable reaction to the loss of freedom to play outside, visit with friends or even attend school. That Yazan tries to “keep himself busy” with pursuits most kids can relate to, such as doodling, building a castle from pillows, and making paper airplanes, will help kids empathize with his situation, I think.
Kaadan’s illustrations have a child-like sense to them, as if Yazan is not only experiencing the situation, but recording it, too. That Kaadan is an illustrator and an #OwnVoices illustrator/author who grew up in Damascus, the setting of Tomorrow, adds to its appeal.
Kaadan’s illustrations have a child-like sense to them, as if Yazan is not only experiencing the situation, but recording it, too. That Kaadan is an illustrator and an #OwnVoices illustrator/author who grew up in Damascus, the setting of Tomorrow, adds to its appeal.
July 1, 2019
"...the situation continues to worsen for Syrian children, especially those who are living away from their homes and who have missed years of school. Today, we wait for a time when "tomorrow" can be a better day for all Syrian children." Nadine Kaadan.
October 1, 2019
A startlingly honest and very real window into the life of a Syrian child trapped within the walls of his home by the ongoing war outside. Yazan has no idea why he doesn't see his friends anymore or why he isn't aloud to the park. He's also confused as to why the news is on the TV every day and why his mother has stopped painting her beautiful landscapes. It is only when Yazan goes outside without his parents' knowledge that they see what really matters and change.
Tomorrow is an outstanding book and should be critically acclaimed for its true insight into the life of a child trapped in a war-zone. Often I encountered children not understanding 'why' someone would leave their country to flee to another and often their ideas were fuelled by the adults who fed them bias information. Since Kaadan provides us with a child's perspective of the war in Syria (protected from the full truth by his parents) we have here a sense of an ominous, heavy danger that Yazan doesn't quite understand and I feel that the younger readers would feel this too. It is very clear why Yazan's family may want to leave: but they don't.
This is a family who live and breathe their country and their home (at some points the parents are made up of the city itself). This is their home and the story ends with a beautiful image of both mother and son painting a brighter future on the walls of their decaying home. It is worth noting that this is an #ownvoices book with Kaadan having grown up in Damascus and encountering many of these children.
Tomorrow is an outstanding book and should be critically acclaimed for its true insight into the life of a child trapped in a war-zone. Often I encountered children not understanding 'why' someone would leave their country to flee to another and often their ideas were fuelled by the adults who fed them bias information. Since Kaadan provides us with a child's perspective of the war in Syria (protected from the full truth by his parents) we have here a sense of an ominous, heavy danger that Yazan doesn't quite understand and I feel that the younger readers would feel this too. It is very clear why Yazan's family may want to leave: but they don't.
This is a family who live and breathe their country and their home (at some points the parents are made up of the city itself). This is their home and the story ends with a beautiful image of both mother and son painting a brighter future on the walls of their decaying home. It is worth noting that this is an #ownvoices book with Kaadan having grown up in Damascus and encountering many of these children.
December 2, 2019
This was such a powerful book to read! Tomorrow follows the story of a young boy called Yazan who lives in a war-torn country. He doesn't understand why he can't go out and play anymore, instead, he is forced to stay inside with nothing to do.
Kaadan portrays the young boys feeling of confusion in such an emotive way making the reader really empathise with the character. As adults, we understand that it is too dangerous for Yazan to go outside. This is because we have heard stories about the impact of war. However, for young children who may not know the harsh reality of what goes on in other countries, this book allows them to sympathise and gain more knowledge of the situation. They may be able to relate to the unfairness of Yazan's situations even if they haven't experience the severity of it. This book is a great way to start conversations about war and the impact of it. Additionally, it can bring to light the refugee situation to children, promoting acceptance and inclusivity.
I think it is really interesting how Kaadan illustrates the city within the parent's clothing suggesting that their love for their country is woven through them. Kaadan is a Syrian writer who has experienced the impact of war. I think it is extremely important that Kaadan is writing from her own experience of the war in Damascus. Her observation of children's lives being changed due to war is what led her to write such an impactful book because she was able to take the stories of what she saw and apply it to the character of Yazan.
Kaadan portrays the young boys feeling of confusion in such an emotive way making the reader really empathise with the character. As adults, we understand that it is too dangerous for Yazan to go outside. This is because we have heard stories about the impact of war. However, for young children who may not know the harsh reality of what goes on in other countries, this book allows them to sympathise and gain more knowledge of the situation. They may be able to relate to the unfairness of Yazan's situations even if they haven't experience the severity of it. This book is a great way to start conversations about war and the impact of it. Additionally, it can bring to light the refugee situation to children, promoting acceptance and inclusivity.
I think it is really interesting how Kaadan illustrates the city within the parent's clothing suggesting that their love for their country is woven through them. Kaadan is a Syrian writer who has experienced the impact of war. I think it is extremely important that Kaadan is writing from her own experience of the war in Damascus. Her observation of children's lives being changed due to war is what led her to write such an impactful book because she was able to take the stories of what she saw and apply it to the character of Yazan.
January 31, 2025
Alhumdulillah, now a reminder of what the children of Syria endured, a wake up call that it endured for so long, that the rest of the world grew weary, stopped accepting refugees, even stopped hearing updates when the oppressive regime fell and the news cycle moved on. I do not think the author is Muslim, and there is nothing in the illustrations to suggest a Muslim family, but I'm highlighting the book because the author/illustrator is Syrian, and their OWN voice stories about Syria are important.
A child, Yazan, cannot go to the park because it is not safe. His parents do not explain to him, why it is not safe, and as his boredom grows, so does his determination to take his bicycle out. When he sees the quite, the destruction, and his parents rushing to find him, he is changed. His artist mother draws on hope of a better tomorrow, as the two of them paint Yazan's bedroom walls to look like a park.
Not being about to go outside, is a singular frustration in a lifetime of heartbreak for children of conflict, but it is also something that all children can empathize with, relate to, and hopefully connect over, even if the reasonings for not being able to go are so vastly different. The book was published years ago, but it is still important to read, share, and discuss our humanity, acknowledge our shortcomings, and commit to doing better, inshaAllah.
A child, Yazan, cannot go to the park because it is not safe. His parents do not explain to him, why it is not safe, and as his boredom grows, so does his determination to take his bicycle out. When he sees the quite, the destruction, and his parents rushing to find him, he is changed. His artist mother draws on hope of a better tomorrow, as the two of them paint Yazan's bedroom walls to look like a park.
Not being about to go outside, is a singular frustration in a lifetime of heartbreak for children of conflict, but it is also something that all children can empathize with, relate to, and hopefully connect over, even if the reasonings for not being able to go are so vastly different. The book was published years ago, but it is still important to read, share, and discuss our humanity, acknowledge our shortcomings, and commit to doing better, inshaAllah.
September 30, 2025
This touching story will have you remember the importance of loving and staying close to your family through the tough times. Yazan a very active young boy was thrown in a confused daze when he was prohibited from going outside into the world as the world itself was crumbling down to the ground. Yazan full of boredom took it upon himself to go outside and noticed all the change happening around him and finally understood through his mother's words that it was safer to be around family. This middle eastern read is perfect to have in libraries as it is a part of history. Family is the theme that rotates and makes it way through this book as Yazan only has his family through this tough time and the bond between him and his mother is heavily expressed. I would consider this a kindergarten read as you can ask questions throughout the story of how Yazan is feeling and keep it at a gentle perspective.
January 21, 2019
Tomorrow by Nadine Kaadan. PICTURE BOOK. Lantana Publishing, 2018. $18. 9781911373438
BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K, EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE
AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE
Yazan has been stuck in the house for weeks. His parents say that it is too dangerous to go outside because of all of the fighting. One day he sends out and when his parents retrieve him, his mother paints him a mural to help him be a little more content.
Kaadan brings a gentle look at one dimension of the problem for people in Syria, or any war zone. It would be a good jumping off point for a discussion about people who live in war. A great way to build empathy.
Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS
https://kissthebookjr.blogspot.com/20...
BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K, EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE
AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE
Yazan has been stuck in the house for weeks. His parents say that it is too dangerous to go outside because of all of the fighting. One day he sends out and when his parents retrieve him, his mother paints him a mural to help him be a little more content.
Kaadan brings a gentle look at one dimension of the problem for people in Syria, or any war zone. It would be a good jumping off point for a discussion about people who live in war. A great way to build empathy.
Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS
https://kissthebookjr.blogspot.com/20...
November 14, 2020
This book is about children being stuck at home because of the war. Yazan the character in the book couldn’t do any of the things that he used to, he can’t go to the park, cant play with friends and about everything changing. This book can showcase children going through changes and going through a hard time. This can relate to today with the pandemic going on and children not being able to do all the things that they used to be able to do. Great book for children going through changes in life.
October 3, 2019
A fantastic book that can help educate children on what it is like for some children to live inside a war zone. The illustrations used help bring the story alive, but also help to show the naivety every children has inside them. The language Kaadan uses is almost similar to a child's language which makes the story for me even more heartbreaking. Could be used in KS2 when looking at topics surrounding refugees and war.
December 28, 2019
Tomorrow is about everything changing around Yazan because of war. It links with the reality of many children around the world and the confusion and emptiness they feel. Such an important message of how you can make things better and dream of a better tomorrow. The illustrations share the terror and dread that file the area and the loneliness of the skyscrapers showing how everything is empty and forgotten.
November 16, 2020
Yazan is the typical child of America that no one ever talks about. When I was younger I lost my mom, the house was depressing. Yazan's parents are depressing and it seemed like they did not make the appropriate amount of time for him like they should have, resulting in Yazan to be sad and worried. Instead Yazan made the best out of a terrible sitatuion, this encourages younger children to find the rainbow in a heavy storm.
December 2, 2020
Yazan can't understand why he can no longer go to the park, or why his mother has stopped painting. One day he decides he will go to the park alone, realising quickly why he has been kept indoors and safe for so long. The world outside his front door is no longer the same.
An insight into a child's life in Syria. A great book to help children who have not known war to develop empathy, and for those who have to relate and find ways to bring joy to an unimaginably hard childhood.
An insight into a child's life in Syria. A great book to help children who have not known war to develop empathy, and for those who have to relate and find ways to bring joy to an unimaginably hard childhood.
December 4, 2018
A simply told story, originally published in Syria, now translated from Arabic, about a child who wants to play out and carry on with normal life when all around him war is raging. The war angle is seen from a child's perspective - it seems played down but this would be a good starting point to introducing young children to the concept of the suffering of others in a way that they can relate to.
May 1, 2022
My students, especially kindergarteners, connected with this book. They were able to empathize with not being able to leave the house, go to school, and see friends during the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic. We also made connections to children in the Ukraine now. They shared how they use their imagination to escape and play.
April 29, 2024
This story explores the impact of war on children and the power of hope in the face of adversity. "Tomorrow" is a moving and thought-provoking picture book that offers a powerful exploration of the human experience in times of conflict. Through Yazan's story, Kaadan reminds us of the importance of empathy, compassion, and the enduring power of hope.
March 1, 2019
Yazan is a young Syrian boy. Because of the war going on in the streets, he isn't allowed to go to school or play outside. His whole life, including his parents, have changed. One day he decides to sneak out of his house.
December 1, 2022
I enjoyed reading this book. I thought that the authors and illustrators did a great job describing what like would be like for a child to be living under war conditions. The illustrations in this book really help carry the message.
October 23, 2018
This is a good read for understanding how different another country can be.
November 18, 2018
The impact of war on everyday life as seen through the eyes of a young Syrian boy named Yazan.
February 20, 2020
I do really like the child perspective this book presents, which is often overshadowed in other books like this.
May 18, 2020
This book delivers an important story that children who know true freedom should understand.
August 23, 2020
A lovely story about a Syrian boy not being able to leave his house. Allows children to start thinking about what it's like for children in other countries
Year 4
Year 4
November 5, 2020
Yazan desperately wants to play outside but it’s too dangerous. Perhaps tomorrow will be a better day.
June 13, 2025
Explains to younger readers what it's like to live in a war-torn country.
November 26, 2020
PGCE CHALLENGE 9 (read a book with a one word title)
Made my throat hurt. This is a terribly sad, yet real story about how children are growing up in Syria. Stuck in their homes as the park and streets are too dangerous for them to play in. A must read for children and adults
Made my throat hurt. This is a terribly sad, yet real story about how children are growing up in Syria. Stuck in their homes as the park and streets are too dangerous for them to play in. A must read for children and adults
June 17, 2019
Yazan is forced to stay inside his house, where he is bored, bored, bored. Why? Because of the ongoing war in his country makes it unsafe for kids to play outside. What happens when he defies his parents and heads out of doors with his bike?
An eye-opening book to the dangers that many children in our world live in today, where they are unsafe to play in the sun. Kaadan's story will enlighten us all who read it. Her watercolor and pencils on paper are attractive and will draw children in for further discussion.
Recommended for grades PreK-3.
An eye-opening book to the dangers that many children in our world live in today, where they are unsafe to play in the sun. Kaadan's story will enlighten us all who read it. Her watercolor and pencils on paper are attractive and will draw children in for further discussion.
Recommended for grades PreK-3.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews