Looking for Yesterday by Alison Jay
Published by Candlewick Press on August 20th 2019
ISBN: 1536204218
Pages: 32
Goodreads

A young boy is nostalgic for yesterday.  How could he go back in time and do it all again, he wonders.  So he decides to try  – by gazing at stars whose light is from a million yesterdays,  by imagining what might go faster than the speed of light,   to  building a supersonic rocket, and to even  considering that a wormhole just might do the trick. Eventually he decides to ask  his Granddad who asks him “why” he wants to go back to yesterday. Granddad then reminisces about some of his own very best yesterdays.  He then tells the young boy that “everyday brings the chance of a new adventure. Why go looking  for yesterday when you can be happy here . . .TODAY!”

This  picture book  tackles a big and thought provoking question.  In turn, this question has the potential of  leading  to interesting discussions with as may answers as their are children discussing it!   The scope of this book is wide and deep and scientific,  yet whimsical in it’s telling and illustration.  And by including Granddad in the “equation,” the topic is made  personal for children.  After all, doesn’t Granddad, with all his knowledge and experience, know the answer to everything?

The illustrations  by this author-illustrator are captivating, colorful and expressive and nicely enhance the thoughts and ideas  presented  throughout the text.   Could be used at any time,  during a science class or for stimulating the minds of the young and curious.

Reviewed By Connie M. Smith, Breakwater School, Portland, ME