Tomorrow Most Likely is a pictue book by Dave Eggers and Lane Smith. While he may be better known for his adult fiction, writer Dave Eggers has also produced some wonderful children’s books, and this is one of our favourites.
With the help of talented illustrators like Lane Smith, Eggers’ ‘Tomorrow Most Likely‘ is magical journey through the possibilities a day may hold. Read on to take a peek!
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Tomorrow Most Likely by Dave Eggers & Lane Smith
A whimsical bedtime story, Tomorrow, Most Likely begins with a BAME boy in bed, with his mother perched next to him. She’s telling him a story that isn’t really a story. Instead, it’s a list of all the things that may happen ‘tomorrow most likely’.
The day will no doubt start, we are told, the same way all days begin – with a meal that is most likely to be brown. And after that, there will be a door that leads to the world. But that is as far as easy predictions can go.
After that, things might get a little stranger!
Exploring the world of Tomorrow Most Likely
Leaving the grey shades of home behind, going into the world is an explosion of colour. And it’s not just our vision that is awakened, as the other senses are all stimulated too.
First comes the scent of a flower ‘you can’t quite name…’
Then unexpected sights, sounds and textures round out a fantastical encounter. A kazoo-playing, bowtie-wearing man with a flower in his hat, out walking his giant snail.
Let’s hope the real Cousin Todd can live up to these expectations!
I love the way this book gently guides the reader through a series of increasingly absurd and wonderful ideas that are a million miles away from the brown breakfast that started it all. Indeed, by lunchtime you may well be riding whales and eating clouds.
And there is the thread of another story running through the boy’s exploration of the world, that helps tie everything together. It has to do with a squirrel, but that’s all I’m saying.
Equal parts chaming and silly, Tomorrow Most Likely is a book that makes us smile. It’s the kind of verbal game that we, and many families, play together, and is a lovely way of feeding the imagination with small seeds of ideas.
And the message at the end, shown as our bedtime boy is fast asleep, is one that every parent can embrace: Tomorrow most likely will be a great day because you are in it.
By the same author:
Dave Eggers
Dave Eggers is best known for his adult books, but he has written a couple of wonderful non-fiction picture books that mix history, art and social issues seamlessly. They’re rather beautiful too!
Her Right Foot
by Dave Eggers. Art by Shawn Harris
This Bridge Will Not Be Gray
by Dave Eggers. Art by Tucker Nichols
Lane Smith
Lane Smith has collaborated with other authors on several classic books (hello Stinky Cheese Man) but I must admit that it’s his solo stuff I love best. These are a couple of our favourites.
Picture Books with Diverse Characters
Have you seen my full list of the best 23 picture books with diverse characters? Just like Tomorrow, Most Likely, all of these picture books feature black, Asian or minority ethnic (BAME) boys as main characters. Something that’s as rare as proverbial hen’s teeth in children’s books, and a problem I’ve written about here.
Check out the list to find out more about our favourites, and take a peek inside. If you like the look of this book, I’m sure you’ll find some others to love there too!
