My Old Friend, Then

by Katherine Davis-Gibbon, Allie Daigle (Illustrator)

Overview

A child ponders ... who is her best, most loyal friend? Is it her constant, (if clingy) companion, Then, who regales her with extravagant stories of their shared past and imagined future? Or is it precious, patient Now, with whom she sensitively explores each new moment that unfolds?

My Old Friend, Then explores mindfulness the same way that kids approach life: with curiosity, humor, and utter sincerity. Pairing accessible, relatable language with vivid, quirky illustrations, this book invites readers to share in a young girl's journey as she grapples with the trappings—and delights in the boundless potential—of her own brilliant mind.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781737957614
Publisher:	BookBaby
Publication date:	11/29/2021
Pages:	44
Product dimensions:	8.50(w) x 8.50(h) x 0.10(d)
Age Range:	4 - 7 Years

About the Author

Katherine Davis-Gibbon is a yoga teacher, longtime practitioner of Vipassana meditation, and most importantly a mother of two. She is also the founder of Riverlet Press, a children's book publishing company for conscious parents raising mindful kids.Allie Daigle is an illustrator who strives to create immersive and expressive images that stimulate the imagination. Whether for a children's book, a product label, or her original pieces, Daigle's works implore the viewer to linger and explore the details within. Allie primarily works with traditional watercolor & ink as well as digital mediums.

Editorial Reviews

2021-10-27
A girl explores her relationships with the past and the present in Davis-Gibbon’s picture book.

A kid introduces readers to a faceless figure named Then, an “old friend” whom she has known “as long as I can remember.” Then is gray and shadowy and has the same shape as the unnamed main character. The youngster, who is White, recounts her times with Then, who is very demanding, has an active imagination, and can be a braggart. When Then’s presence impacts her ability to pay attention to others and enjoy her favorite things, she makes a new friend named Now, a girl-shaped being with a colorful paint-splotched appearance. Now is supportive, caring, and fun. She also accepts the girl’s ongoing relationship with Then. The girl explains how Then “is the perfect friend” when “I feel like a story,” which Now also embraces because she “likes stories” as well. Ostensibly, this indicates a healthy ability to revisit the past without letting it overshadow the present. Davis-Gibbon’s creative personifications of the past and the present here will enable readers to reflect on how “Then” and “Now” impact their own lives. The protagonist’s constructive realizations underscore the importance of integrating our past and present selves. Daigle’s lively illustrations depict Then and Now throughout the girl’s life. Settings, evocatively portrayed, include outdoor locations with sun-dappled skies, mountains, and waters with splashes of color and texture.

A philosophical, kid-friendly take on the rewards of being present.

Kirkus Reviews