I appreciate a good metaphor. I really appreciate an entire book full of them. But I lurrrrve a quirkily illustrated book full of them that makes me smile as I page through AND makes my heart go all melty at the end. Oh, and it rhymes, too!
No wonder I fell hard for Rebecca Doughty’s BEFORE YOU.
Note: I had to take a photo of the cover to get it big enough to post. Please know that the background of the book is not violet, but a nice, bright white.
Title-page summary: “Celebrates how the love of another can change one’s life for the better.”
The book starts out with a section of often-humorous metaphors describing life before “you.”
“I was a flower with no pot.
I was a polka with no dot.”
The polka page shows happy animal duos dancing the polka far across a room (accompanied by a pig playing an accordion), and in the foreground, we see the back of another pig, standing alone and forlorn. Ms. Doughty’s art is deceptively simple, but boy, does she have a way with body language and facial expressions! Too funny (and sometimes pathetic, but in a cute and funny way).
So we meet a diverse cast of characters, animals and inanimate objects alike, all of whom represent the “before you” portion of the book.
Then the tone changes with this line: “Then you arrived and changed the tune.” From here on, we get metaphors describing how life has changed, like:
“You put the splash into the puddle.
You put the squeeze into the cuddle.”
You (may) know how I hate giving away an ending, but in this case I have to, because it’s what had me hugging this book as I walked it to the bookstore’s cash register. First, the setting: A bird on a branch, cheek to cheek with her little one.
“Now I’m a bird and you’re my song.
So tell me now …
…what took you so long?
See? Melty.
This book could represent romantic love, friendship, or the love of a parent for their child. I think it would be a lovely baby shower gift, which is why I’m ordering more.
And, teachers? This would be a great book to introduce kids to metaphors. 🙂
You’re right. This is a great mentor text for metaphors. Thanks for sharing this neat book!
Wow, Jill! Deceptively simple, yet multi-layered. I can’t wait to run out and read the whole thing. Pure deliciousness <3!
Thanks for sharing.
This one caught my eye at the library a few weeks ago. Sweet, sweet, sweet.
This book sounds awesome! Thanks for bringing it to our attention.
Wow, this book is a winner on so many levels! I’m inspired and in awe. Thank you.
Jill nailed it with the best descriptive word “melty.” Can’t wait to read it – reminds me a bit of the old song “Till There Was You.” 🙂
This sounds so lovely! I’ve got it on order and can’t wait read it. Thanks, Jill!!
This sounds like a wonderful book on many levels. The subject matter, the text (metaphors) and the illustrations! Can’t wait to read it!
Put this in my order cart – can’t wait to see it up close! Thanks for this, Jill!
This sounds like a darling book. I want it!!
Lovely! Thanks, Jill.
Love it!!
Thank you, Jill! It looks like a keeper. Off to order!
Thanks Jill! Can’t wait to see it.
This is every teacher’s dream . . . the perfect book to teach about metaphors.
Great book. Love the metaphors. This could almost be a song.
This sounds like chocolate for picture book lovers–especially the melty bits. Thanks for the recommendation, Jill.
Oh! This sounds just so wonderful. Thank you for sharing Before You.
I fell hard for this one, too, Jill! xoxoxo
Going to the bookstore now! This looks and sounds wonderful.
Jill, I can’t wait to read it. Thanks for sharing.
I absolutely adore that cover, Jill!! Thank you for sharing. I will look for it ASAP!!
This one sounds so sweet and funny. I’ll be on the lookout for it!
Requested for purchase at my library! Sounds like one I’ll love.