• Age: 4 to 18
• Grade: p to 12

In Before & After, Jan Thornhill's beautifully detailed illustrations depict nature's varied scenes as they change over spans of time, ranging from the subtle changes that occur in just one second to the dramatic transformations that occur over the course of a year. Before & After presents stunning two-page spreads showing a variety of settings teeming with life and change. Children will take a journey through a tropical coral reef, an African savanna, the Australian rain forest and in the final scene, the familiar setting of a schoolyard. Each spread cleverly doubles as a puzzle, with creatures identified in the border for readers to spot in the main picture. Children will take pleasure in the animal searches while spotting the changes that have occurred between one picture and the next. An innovative combination of art, information, puzzle and picture book, Before & After is a book to be treasured.

Jan Thornhill is an author, illustrator and designer who brings her fascination with the natural world to her books for children. They include I Found a Dead Bird (National Parenting Publications Gold Award, Norma Fleck Award for Canadian Children’s Non-Fiction, Children’s Literature Roundtables of Canada Information Book Award); The Wildlife 123 (UNICEF-Ezra Jack Keats International Award for Excellence in Children’s Book Illustration, Governor General’s Award finalist); and The Wildlife ABC (Governor General’s Award finalist). Jan recently won the Vicky Metcalf Award for Literature for Young People. She spends her spare time in the woods obsessively collecting and cataloguing wild mushrooms and slime molds.

Jan Thornhill's profile page

• Winner, Vicky Metcalf Award for author Jan Thornhill's body of work
• Short-listed, Mr. Christie Children's Book Award
• Commended, National Science Teachers Association, Outstanding Science Trade Book for Children
• Commended, Canadian Children's Book Centre, Our Choice Selection

An ingenious...narrative accompanied by bold illustrations.

Macleans

This book is so rich with details and perspectives it could easily be revisited time and time again, with each experience being as engaging as the last.

Resource Links

This talented author/illustrator, true to her innovative style and fresh approach in design, has created a fascinating look at environments that surge with life and energy.

CM Magazine: Canadian Review of Materials

...a magnificent book...highly recommended for your science classroom, your elementary library, or your child's collection of favorite picture books.

Picture Book Depot

will entice children who can't read text but will revel in 'reading’ Thornhill's visuals.

The Globe and Mail

A lovely book based on sound, accurate information. It will be a pleasure to go through again and again.

Quill & Quire

[an] intriguing, oversize, richly-illustrated picture book....Each set of pictures has fascinating detail and surprising changes from one to the next...Before & After is a wonderful book to explore together, or to use to supplement lessons. Kids of all ages will enjoy spotting all the animals, birds and insects, and then seeing what’s happened to them in the after image.

Bookloons

Before & After is a series of stunning two-page spreads that depict a variety of settings that teem with life and change. Children can take a journey through a tropical coral reef, an African savanna, the Australian rain forest and, in the final scene, the familiar setting of a schoolyard.

Edmonton Sun

Thornhill has brilliantly executed this unique and clever idea that will lend itself to a good discussion at many grade levels or for a variety of themes.

Teaching By the Book

Luminous colors, clear drawing and an intelligent layout make this an attractive and informative book that will reward multiple viewings.

Toronto Star