Now That I'm Here

March 1, 2018
A mixed-race child reflects on how much better Mom's and Dad's lives are "now that I'm here."The irrepressible ("HA! HA! HA!") narrator of this story--a dark-haired, pink-skinned, wide-eyed child--paints a vivid picture of daily life then and now. Readers will appreciate the stark contrasts drawn in two-page spreads (see: Mom and Dad sleeping peacefully with a rotund gray pug; now see: Mom, Dad, and dog fighting for space in a rumpled bed awash with toys, a gleeful child draped over them all). Meshon's use of color, juxtaposing blues and greens for life then and reds and oranges for life now, further conveys the drastic changes wrought by the child. Bold, hand-lettered, capitalized text adds clarity and humor. It doesn't always work: It may not be entirely clear to readers why Mom and Dad no longer buy lunch (but their bento boxes do look "way better"!), and some of the pre-child pages still feel a bit busy. The chaotic love and joy of this family shine through, though, and the depiction of the family's blended culture is natural and seamless. Dad, with pale skin, light brown hair, and his croissant, espresso, and spaghetti, reads as white; Mom, with light skin, black hair, and her natto, matcha, and ramen, appears to be Japanese.An exuberant celebration of family. (Picture book. 3-6)

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Starred review from April 2, 2018
Meshon (Delivery) celebrates the making of a family from a young child’s point of view (“They couldn’t wait to meet me”), comparing the tranquility of life in a two-adult household with the uproar that a baby brings. “Before” spreads are rendered in calm, cool shades, and “after” spreads are shown against warm red. “Breakfast used to be super dull” describes a scene of parents drinking green tea and espresso in quiet serenity; “Now breakfast is so awesome” accompanies an image of a cluttered table with cereal puffs, the child’s paintings, and an overturned juice glass. “Time to GET READY!” reads a banner above images of the grown-ups hurrying to pull garments over their heads: “They are late again!” the family bulldog complains. A cross-cultural theme is subtly introduced: red-haired, freckled Dad eats leftovers for lunch; Mom is Japanese and brings tamagoyaki in her bento. Meshon’s rounded, marshmallowy shapes carry cheerful, goofy energy that amplifies the cozy chaos in this fresh perspective on how children expand their parents’ lives. Ages 3–5. Agent: Rubin Pfeffer, Rubin Pfeffer Content.