Cover of Before You Were Here

Before You Were Here

Written by Scott Westerfeld, illustrated by Jessica Lanan
Roaring Brook Press, 2024
ISBN: 9781250799326

Before you were here, you were everywhere...

You were once the sunshine when it struck the trees. You were water, powerful enough to wear away mountains. You were soil deep beneath the earth.

Now that you’re here, the world waits for you.

Everywhere.

Follow a young child as he explores the world around him and begins to understand that he is connected to all things -- sunshine which nourishes us, water which makes up most of our bodies, and soil which contains minerals that keep us strong and healthy.

Includes robust backmatter that expands on the ways the natural world lives in our bodies.

Bookshop Amazon Barnes & Noble Target Boulder Bookstore

Blending a tale of new life with real science, this picture book by New York Times bestselling author of the Uglies series Scott Westerfeld and illustrated by Sibert Honor-winning Jessica Lanan is a sweeping ode to a parent's love for their child, budding life, and the Earth that we live on.

Praise

“Stunning illustrations tenderly guide readers to consider what it means to be part of the sun, water, soil, and even DNA. [...] Answering deep questions, this book will encourage meaningful, grounded discussions and will be an important part of the elementary library collection.”

★ School Library Journal, Starred Review

“Some picture books sneak up on readers and manage to be both gentle and powerful at the same time [...] an excellent choice for bedtime.”

-Booklist

“Stunning illustrations tenderly guide readers to consider what it means to be part of the sun, water, soil, and even DNA. [...] Answering deep questions, this book will encourage meaningful, grounded discussions and will be an important part of the elementary library collection.”

-Kirkus Reviews

A Look Inside

Available wherever books are sold. For signed copies, please order from the Boulder Bookstore.
Leave signing instructions in the note field when you check out.

Get a Signed Copy