Danette Byatt

The Future is Bright!

Join a reminiscing grandmother and her grandson, Indigo, while they compare what things a like now—in the future—compared to the time the grandmother grew up.

Although there are similarities in their growing up days such as painting pictures, playing and having pets, there are lots of differences.

First of all, Gran lived on earth, while Indigo lives on a different planet. Instead of biking to school like Gran, Indigo rides a futuristic transport. Indigo does not have a pet dog, but has a creature from his planet. While Gran made snowmen, Indigo makes red people from the material on his planet.

This futuristic book is sure to spark the imaginations of young readers, and make it a great time to ask them what they think the future will be like. Bring up what it was like when you were growing up to make comparisons like they did in this tale. It is always fun for children to hear what things were like in the past versus what it is like today.

Children ages three to eight are sure to enjoy this out-of-this-world five-star book.

Thank you, Worthy Kids, for providing Tickmenot with a book to review. Opinions are my own.… (meer)

(Full disclosure: I received a free copy of this book for review through Library Thing's Early Reviewers program.)

When I was in my twenties and even thirties, I swore I'd never become the kind of aunt who waxed nostalgic about how things were "when I was your age." And I haven't, exactly - as long as you don't count the endless Gen X memes about mix tapes and rotary phones. (It's all in good fun, hand to '80s Madonna.)

In WHEN I WAS YOUR AGE, Danette Byatt gives us a futuristic and optimistic twist on ye ole "when I was your age" lecture. Indigo and Gran live on planet far from earth (unnamed, but it gives strong Mars vibes). Gran used to bike to school (but not ten miles in the snow, lol); Indigo teleports in 2.04 seconds, flat. Gran used to text her friends when she wanted to play, whereas Indigo uses telepathy. Gran had a dog she loved very much; Indigo's bestie is a purple, lizard-like creature. Yet, at the end of the day, Gran an Indigo have more in common than not.

I love the hopefulness in WHEN I WAS YOUR AGE. Byatt alludes to Earth's (and humanity's) once-uncertain future; and, while Gran and Indigo live on another planet, Earth must be doing okay in this timeline, since she suggests visiting it one day.

Change is inevitable and WHEN I WAS YOUR AGE embraces this certainty, encourages kids and adults alike to enjoy the journey.

The art is charming as well - not gonna lie, I love the punk rock Granny look!… (meer)

In this story grandma reminisces about her youth on Earth while the grandchild plays on their new planet, with Earth floating in the sky like a moon. "When I was your age," gran says, recalling riding her bike to school or playing with her dog, while the visuals in the book show the child riding a rocket sort of thing to school and playing with a fantastical creature. The story overall feels abstract and like it's trying too hard. The illustrations are bright and colorful, but left me wondering "why" too often. Like what does the child have a gemstone in their forehead? Perhaps young kids will enjoy imagining this fantastical place, but the lack of narrative left me uninspired.

** I got this book from the LibraryThing Early Reviewers program, but all opinions are my own. **… (meer)