Before After

Anne-Margot Ramstein and Matthias Aregui's picture book "Before After" could be a good choice for your non-reading toddler. Each set of facing pages features a pair of illustrations - one the "before" and one the "after".The soft hues of the drawings that vary from those resembling primitive folk art to more highly detailed cityscapes and forest scenes make this book without words visually appealing. Understanding most of the "Before After" pairs is intuitive for adults, but little ones may have some difficulty understanding why a large monkey atop the Empire State Building is the after of that same animal in a jungle setting.I like that "Before After" provides many different opportunities for discussing the relationship of the picture pairs with a child. The lack of words accompanying the pairs also provides ample opportunity for creative storytelling.I liked that at least one of the pictures in the "Before After" pairs was something with which little ones may be familiar. Anne-Margot Ramstein and Matthias Aregui did an excellent job providing both a broad spectrum of categories and using variety in the types of pairs presented for comparison.The one thing I did not care for was the size of the actual volume. Little ones require a book that is easy to hold and manipulate. They need a book that will lay flat when they open it to study the pairings. While the approximately 6 7/8" X 9 7/8" size of the book would have been ideal, the ¾" thickness of "Before After" does not allow the book to lay flat unless you crack the spine - something that should never be done.If you are looking for a unique book for your child or grandchild, you will want to consider "Before After". It is a real treat!

Such a good book to encourage talking to a little one about changes. An object is clearly illustrated on one page, and on the next page the child will see how the object changes. It also illustrates landscapes and how they change with seasons, or day vs. night. Some things change over long periods of time (letters carried by pigeon vs. airmail, a building that deteriorates). The child sees changes in nature (a hive of bees and then a jar of honey; a lizard catches a fly), There are also some well-known story sequences that the child will remember (straw, stick, and brick houses and how they hold up; a pumpkin turns into a carriage). Foods are also illustrated with the product that they come from (coffee, chocolate). This is a thick book that is full of wonderful illustrations that will encourage vocabulary building. Wonderfully done!

As a home schooling mother of eight children, I've learned the value of a quality wordless book and this one is no exception. Beautifully illustrated and printed on a lovely matte finished paper, this well-bound book has quickly become a family favorite.From a slingshot with a pile of rocks to a broken window or a nest full of eggs to a nest full of baby birds, Before After allows the pre-reader to "read" a story with little to no help. After going through this book WITH your child and discussing the befores and afters, your child will very quickly want to take over the "reading" part.Not only do my youngest, nonreading children enjoy Before After, I often find my older readers going through it and many adults have been drawn to the illustrations. I'm glad I took a chance on Before After and see myself gifting this one again and again.

This picture book will provide hours of educational dialogue between you and your child. You’ll sigh, gasp, giggle and appreciate the beautiful artwork. I recommend leaving it on your coffee table for your guests to enjoy!

I saw this book in a museum store and but it later on Amazon. I thought my child would enjoy it more but I think I like the pictures more than she does.

Great discussion prompts for tiny (and not so tiny) minds!

My 9, 6 and 5 year old have really enjoyed this book. They take turns telling the story of how one thing becomes another.

A great approach for kids and adults as well. Words aren't needed to test one's understanding that an acorn gives rise to an oak tree or to question, "Does an egg come before a chicken? Or is the chicken required to make an egg?" This little book has multiple chances for children to show what they know and for adults to discuss these examples based on their life experiences.

Really great book that our 3.5 year old loves. No text - just lovely drawing and paintings on high quality paper. The concept is simple and is a great educational tool for young minds - each set of images comes in paired ideas - e.g. a bare tree in winter followed by the same tree in full summer bloom; an acorn versus on oak tree; daytime with a sun, night with a moon; deserts versus flood; volcanic landscape after an eruption followed by lush vegetation; cow and milk, etc. Hours of fun

Invites discussion like no other book. If you think it's expensive, please take a risk - this is a beautiful book and will be cherished. Totally worth it.

Brilliant book to read in either language for an Italian/English little grandson.

Fantastic book for discussion. It's not really for story time - but good to flip through together with my nearly 3 year old. Some of the concepts are a bit beyond her - but lots of great examples of change and transition for little people to grapple with!

Lovely book great service