Before You: A Picture Book

This is an advance, uncorrected proof. Not for resale, duplication, or reposting. Please do not quote without comparison to the finished book.

words by ANNE SAWAN

pictures by KAREN OBUHANYCH

This is an advance, uncorrected proof. Not for resale, duplication, or reposting. Please do not quote without comparison to the finished book.

To George, Anna, Georgie, Harry, Teddy, and Eliza: Thank you for all of the befores and all of the afters — A.S.

To Bob/Daddy Pig and Aria: my Before and After — K.O.

The artwork in this book was created with watercolor, pencil, and cut paper collage.

Library of Congress Control Number 2024014133

ISBN 978-1-4197-7386-0

Published in 2025 by Abrams Appleseed, an imprint of ABRAMS. All rights reserved. No portion of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, mechanical, electronic, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without written permission from the publisher.

This is an advance, uncorrected proof. Not for resale, duplication, or reposting. Please do not quote without comparison to the finished book.

Abrams Appleseed® is a registered trademark of Harry N. Abrams, Inc.

For bulk discount inquiries, contact specialsales@abramsbooks.com.

BEFORE you

This is an advance, uncorrected proof. Not for resale, duplication, or reposting. Please do not quote without comparison to the finished book.

ABRAMS APPLESEED

NEW YORK

words by ANNE SAWAN pictures by KAREN OBUHANYCH

Before you, there was the sun

This is an advance, uncorrected proof. Not for resale, duplication, or reposting. Please do not quote without comparison to the finished book.

and the birds and the bumblebees.

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Then you came, and now the sun is sunnier, the birds are chirpier, and the bees are buzzier.

This is an advance, uncorrected proof. Not for resale, duplication, or reposting. Please do not quote without comparison to the finished book.

Before you, there was a house, a couch,

and a rocking chair.

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Then you came, and now the house is homier, the couch is cozier, and the chair is snugglier

Before you, there was a table, a glass of milk, and some spaghetti.

This is an advance, uncorrected proof. Not for resale, duplication, or reposting. Please do not quote without comparison to the finished book.

Then you came, and now the table is busier,

This is an advance, uncorrected proof. Not for resale, duplication, or reposting. Please do not quote without comparison to the finished book.

the milk is slurpier,

and the spaghetti is saucier

This is an advance, uncorrected proof. Not for resale, duplication, or reposting. Please do not quote without comparison to the finished book.

Before you, there was music, songs, and slow dancing.

Then you came, and now the music is jazzier, the songs are snazzier, and the dancing is wackier

This is an advance, uncorrected proof. Not for resale, duplication, or reposting. Please do not quote without comparison to the finished book.

Before you, there was a dog, and a goldfish.

a cat,

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Then you came, and now the dog is wigglier, the cat is friskier, and the goldfish . . .

This is an advance, uncorrected proof. Not for resale, duplication, or reposting. Please do not quote without comparison to the finished book.

well, the goldfish is exactly the same.

Before you, there was a bath,

a book, and a comfy bed.

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Then you came, and now the bath is sudsier,

This is an advance, uncorrected proof. Not for resale, duplication, or reposting. Please do not quote without comparison to the finished book.

the book is sillier . . .

and the bed is boun c ier!

This is an advance, uncorrected proof. Not for resale, duplication, or reposting. Please do not quote without comparison to the finished book.

Before

you, there was the moon, and the stars, and the night sky.

This is an advance, uncorrected proof. Not for resale, duplication, or reposting. Please do not quote without comparison to the finished book.

Then you came, and now the moon is shinier, the stars are twinklier, and the sky is dreamier.

This is an advance, uncorrected proof. Not for resale, duplication, or reposting. Please do not quote without comparison to the finished book.

Because of you, everythingis now sunnier, chirpier, buzzier, homier, cozier , snugglier , busier, slurpier,saucier, jazzier, snazzier, wackier , wigglier , friskier, sudsier, sillier, bouncier , shinier , twinklier , and dreamier.

This is an advance, uncorrected proof. Not for resale, duplication, or reposting. Please do not quote without comparison to the finished book.

(But

the goldfish is exactly the same.)

This is an advance, uncorrected proof. Not for resale, duplication, or reposting. Please do not quote without comparison to the finished book.

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