Before, Now

by Daniel Salmieri

Follow the story of a child from babyhood to parenthood in this moving book about family connections, time, and opposites—a lyrical classic in the making from the acclaimed illustrator of the #1 New York Times bestselling Dragons Love Tacos.

Ava’s world is full of colorful sneakers on a gray sidewalk, thick books made up of thin sheets of paper, and dreams of huge spaces in her small head. Together, these opposites depict a full and impactful life, as Ava moves from girl to student to scientist, from daughter to mother to grandmother. While years pass and some things change, there is even more that is constant in this visually rich, soothing portrait of family connection through the generations.

You'll want to cozy up and read this touching, beautiful book together with the children in your life. And as a celebration of personal and family milestones, it's a perfect gift for baby showers and graduations.

Genres: Picture Books, Family, Fiction, Childrens, Parenting, Young Adult, Realistic Fiction

48 pages, Hardcover

Published June 6, 2023

Reviews

[Sarah BT]

This is one of those books that goes around and around and once you read it you want to go back and look at it all over again (or at least I did). I love when books show a character growing throughout and connects it back to the beginning. The text is a simple and meditative. The art is colorful colored pencil and the details in each picture grow with each page turn. Pair this with Nell Plants a Tree and Also.

[Todd · Rating 2 out of 5]

"Tell me you're from Brooklyn without telling me you're from Brooklyn." What a mess. Not for kids, clearly. I can't imagine any child getting through this navel-gaze without being so bored.

Try reading it aloud without laughing. It's not easy.

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Four stars for the colored pencil artwork and fun illustrations in this story! We were captivated by the pictures and details in the pics as we read our way through this story. It follows a young girl with her mom as she grows up and becomes a parent herself ending back to the first illustration in the story with her as a baby eating "squishy oatmeal in a hard bowl" to her own child doing the same thing, and then finally becoming a grandparent. A sweet story of the passage of time. My son enjoyed pointing out the color green the protagonist was wearing in almost every page.

[Emma Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book shows generations of a family going through their lives and aging. This book captures the beauty of simple things in life.

In the classroom, this book can simply be provided as a calming book. This book can also provide a window into the life of a family that other students may not be familiar with.

[Gabrielle Stoller · Rating 4 out of 5]

At first there was a lot I was NOT sure of with this book. And then I let myself dig deeper. And it's all opposites, including ones that will make children think.

(Fluffy/Prickly)
(Wet/Dry)
(Colorful/Gray)

I'll be excited to use this one

[yaqueline mondragon]

Before now is a picture book that has illustrations that show how man-made creations are put in what use to be pure nature. The little words that are in the book simply readdress what the drawings show and how nature captures the eyes of people living in it.
Keywords-Invisible,present,admire
● What sub-format or category is the picture book (e.g., ABC, Counting, Concept/Informational, Participation, Wordless, Predictable, Beginning Reader, Storybook, Graphic Novel, Engineered, or Baby/Board)? How do you know? This book word fit more on concept of how no matter how much we build nature will always be there showing its presence.

[Andi Butler · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wish the illustrations were more saturated. Colored pencil on a white stock can allow distractions, but inconsistency is part of the charm of it, and relatable to children. I love the connections and details that can help hone those observation skills. It definitely could’ve been executed better. Sidebar: I thought the new PRH copyright notice opposite the title page was interesting.

[Becky · Rating 3 out of 5]

First sentence: In the dark sky floats a bright planet
Where wet waves crash on a dry stretch of beach
And there are smooth stones in the rough sand
Dew shines on the dull bark of a tree
Outside a little home on a big street
In the home there's a small person in a big chair
And squishy oatmeal in a hard bowl
There are fluffy birds in a prickly nest

Premise/plot: This is a picture book without punctuation. It relies heavily on word-pictures and imagery. I suppose you could call it a picture book poem. If you don't love poetry, if you are not excited by reading poetry--with all its meanings, themes, imagery, etc, then chances are you won't appreciate this picture book. It's about everything and about absolutely nothing. But if phrases like "a cold jacket on a warm face" evoke memories of family for you, then perhaps you will find it beautiful and amazing.

My thoughts: Dare I said this picture book poem is more for older readers? I hate to say that the poem will not be understood by young readers--especially very young readers--but that may be the case. That being said, there's something about reading aloud. One can appreciate and enjoy the experience even if one doesn't quite "get" everything there is to be gotten. (If that makes sense). In other words, you can read Alice in Wonderland to your one year old baby even though he or she may not "comprehend" the story as they would later on.

[I am Gnome Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book in a week where I chose books with a "Families" theme; in particular, I read this book as part of the "cool down" segment of my high energy Storytime, as the story for this book is really only accessible by looking at the pictures. While I would read the text, I'd call attention to the girl wearing green in each page as she ages, and asking the children questions. For example, the girl is a baby in the beginning, but by the end she is a grandmother; so, I'd ask questions like "Would we still call her a baby now?". While I wouldn't call this a great read-aloud book, if you're able to invite children to examine the pictures closer the effect is palpable. The kids in my Storytime were captivated as they watched a baby become a girl became a woman become a mother and finally a grandmother. I also really enjoy the style of illustration here; the vibrant colors and the hand-drawn style really seemed to appeal to the kids that attended the session. I don't think I've ever seen them pay such close attention so close to the end of Storytime! A unique book, I'd recommend it for preschool to early elementary children.

[John Mullarkey · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wonderful lyrical and beautifully illustrated picture book that follows an entire lifetime through sensory opposites. Part of the enjoyment of reading this book was discovering that the story covered a girl growing up, becoming a mother - and then a grandmother, where the cycle begins again. Upon the second reading, I made the connection. Often times it is the simplicity of memory through everyday life: squishy oatmeal in a hard bowl; light balloons float above heavy picnic tables; colorful sneakers on gray sidewalk; a loud concert in a quiet field ... This can be a great book to read aloud - to both a younger and older audience. As a lesson it can serve as a model for a writing/poetry activity, or better yet simply to share reactions and responses. Daniel Salimieri, well known for another favorite - Dragons Love Tacos - has created a visually inspiring and moving tale that records the passage of time.

[Roben · Rating 4 out of 5]

This lovely picture book follows a wee babe from infancy through childhood to becoming an adult and having her own baby. Uniquely it does this by using opposites to describe the illustrations and stages of life. There are the usual opposites but also a lot of unique juxtapositions included which makes for a rather intriguing story. The title is, of course, an opposite. But in the book you will find lyrical opposites such as "the dew shines on the dull bark" and "squishy oatmeal in a hard bowl".
It creates a wonderful opportunity to move beyond and explore non-traditional opposites in your own world.

[Calista · Rating 3 out of 5]

Yin/Yang, Light/Dark. This is a book about contrasts. The author is quite creative. He sets up a story and on each page he sets a contrast like the yin yang. Prickly and soft, big/small, old/young, so on and so on. There is a story with all this. We follow a family.

It's a decent story and I love how he sets up these contrasts within the narrative. Nice.

The artwork is all colored pencils. It's nice and gets the story told.

A great book for young kids learning opposites.

[Emily Behon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really loved the illustrations used throughout the book. This book has a great theme for children about growing older in life. The book uses the idea of opposites to portray this theme and uses a pattern in the story that is easy for children to follow. The book flows smoothly and is likely easy for children to follow.

[Erin]

This would be a great gift book for new parents. The portrayal of life from beginning to end, with all the changes and contradictions inherent in the journey. There's a lot here in the pictures as we watch the baby grow into a parent and grandparent, and the text offers short pairs of opposites that encourage thought and discussion.

[Panda Incognito · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book about the passage of time will appeal to adults more than children, who are less likely to follow the central conceit. The illustrations are appealing and full of interesting details for all ages.

[Victoria Whipple · Rating 5 out of 5]

The pictorial threads connecting the characters, and the visual clues beg for this book to be read and reread. Connections and meaning deepen with each reading. Soft, bright colored pencil illustrations are perfectly suited to the gentle rhythm of the words.

[Michele Knott · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved the illustrations more than the lyrical lines - it ends up being a timeless tale of families through time. But I don't think the lines are what will stick with children.
This would make a good gift book to give to a child as they begin to go through their own milestones.

[Vincent Desjardins · Rating 4 out of 5]

A beautifully illustrated and unusual book of opposites that becomes richer with repeat readings. I think this would make a good read-aloud and one that is sure to start discussions on everything from what it means to be alive to growing older.

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read it. Loved the illustrations in this book of opposites that rolls out across the life of one baby/girl/teen/woman. Colored pencil? The lines and shading made me happy. Squish oatmeal in a hard bowl...

[Brittany · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read this book as an adult reader for the AR Diamond Book Award. I enjoyed the story overall and the very colorful illustrations. I'm not sure that a child would understand what happened in the book the first time around. It may need to be explained to them, depending on their age.

[Connie T. · Rating 3 out of 5]

This picture book traces the life of a baby to old age. Each spread shows her at a different time in her life (though I didn't realize this at first; the connections are subtle). The rich text blends opposites in such a way as to promote wonder: "vivid dreams of vast spaces inside a small head."

[Jessica · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was kind of random. It follows a baby who grows up and lives life and has a child and becomes a grandparent. Not really a story, no plot or problem to solve. The artwork left something to be desired.

[Kelly]

This was an interesting concept. It took me awhile to catch on, so I won't spoil it, but it was unique. I liked it and would read it again.

[Katie Reilley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Picture book about the passage of time as a young baby grows into a young girl, teenager, scientist, mother, and grandmother.

[SamSamSam · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didn't realize that the illustrations were telling a chronological story until the end. The story itself wasn't anything to striking, but I loved the study of opposites!

[Meliss · Rating 4 out of 5]

The illustrations 🏆

[Steph]

Turn/Level: B(1)/2

Opposites

It reads rather like a poem, ask the audience to tell you which words are opposites on the page.

[LS Johnson]

book of opposites; even the youngest reader can enjoy the pictures and decipher the story

[Y.Poston]

an exploration of before we are born and after

[Maureen · Rating 4 out of 5]

What lovely colored pencil drawings in this sweet book of opposites.