Book Review of The Day We Found Yesterday
The Children’s Book Review
The Day We Found Yesterday
Written by Tamara Dever
Illustrated by Missi Jay
Ages: 4+ | 36 Pages
Publisher: Narrow Gate Books (2025) | ISBN: 978-0-9987023-4-6
What to Expect: 1980s music and pop-culture nostalgia, interactive seek-and-find challenges, wholesome sibling teamwork, multi-generational family bonding, humorous community anecdotes, and a heartwarming treasure hunt.
The Day We Found Yesterday is a vibrant, interactive children’s picture book that combines a heartwarming multi-generational treasure hunt with a massive, seek-and-find tribute to 1980s music and pop culture.
While visiting their grandparents, three siblings—Eileen, Mickey, and Eddie—overhear Nana Diane and Papa Jack speaking sadly about something precious they lost long ago. Eager to cheer them up, the children set off on a secret quest uptown, visiting various shopkeepers who grew up with their grandparents. As they search the pet rescue, travel agency, medical clinic, general store, art store, and hardware shop, they fail to find any physical clues. Instead, they collect a series of hilarious, nostalgic stories about their grandparents’ youth, leading to a heartwarming final discovery about the true nature of the lost “yesterday”.
Tamara Dever delivers a polished, clean, and family-friendly narrative that’s written from the earnest, sweet perspective of the youngest sibling, Eileen. Eileen’s dialogue flows naturally and maintains an innocent, polite tone throughout the classic, satisfying quest arc—her account of her siblings’ outing makes clear that “shared stories are the best treasures of all,” ensuring that younger readers easily grasp the poignant, multi-generational theme.
Missi Jay’s colorful masterpieces are packed with over 500 visual clues referencing ’80s song titles, album names, and bands with subtle nods like “Haulin’ Oats” to caricature cameos of actual ’80s music legends and MTV VJs. Every page doubles as an intricate, highly engaging seek-and-find game, offering hidden details that will have both kids and adults alike looking closely on every single page.
The Day We Found Yesterday is a heartwarming success that brilliantly bridges the generation gap and is likely to be most enjoyed by GenX parents and grandparents who want to share their love of 1980s music and nostalgia with the children in their lives—the perfect choice for cozy, interactive family reading sessions.
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About the Author
Tamara (Tami) Dever is the founder and creative director of TLC Book Design, a leading custom book creation firm with over 25 years of experience and hundreds of awards. She grew up on books, music, and art. She began reading at a very early age and kept the Arrow Book Club in business for years. (Remember that?)
In addition to her passion for designing books and coaching authors, Tami loves ’70s and ’80s music and pop culture. She’ll insert a fitting lyric into any conversation and has a strange knack for rewriting song lyrics that’ll bring both laughter and rolling eyes. You’ll find her fun retro merchandise at TotallyCool80s.com.
When she’s not designing or writing books, you’ll find her hanging around the pool with her friends and family, listening to music, cooking allergen-friendly food, or watching music reality television shows. She loves Jesus and would love for you to do the same. Tami lives in Austin, Texas with her husband, two kids, two rescue dogs, and works from her rad, retro-themed office.
