Greive and the Gang Encourage Readers to Embrace Tomorrow

On a trip to my aunt’s house a few years ago, I was introduced to the delightful wit and wisdom of Bradley Trevor Greive via The Blue Day Book, a tome that would pave the way for many future projects. Since then, I eagerly await each of Greive’s new efforts, always a balanced mixture of the author’s perceptive prose and wonderfully appropriate black-and-white photographs, usually of animals. Tomorrow: Adventures in an Uncertain World follows along rather the same lines as The Meaning of Life; it acknowledges that the world can be a scary place and we don’t know what unpleasantness the future might hold, but it urges the reader to embrace life anyway and hope for the best. After all, there are many things that make life worth living.

This latest edition to my Greive collection bears a yellow cover with a picture of a penguin scanning a vast empty expanse. The back cover gives us a shot of the bird dancing, indicating the direction the book will take. In 110 pages, Greive and his cast of furry, feathered, scaled, and antennaed assistants address the multitudinous concerns which everyone must face on a daily basis and counteract them with a reminder of the beautiful moments just waiting to be experienced each and every day. Tomorrow, like Meaning of Life, is a bit wordier than Blue Day, but it still can be easily read in under an hour. It’s ten dollars well spent, though. The photographs alone are worth a second, fifth, or tenth look. Here are some of my favorites:

You and I both know that good people get attacked in broad daylight all the time (14) - a chicken trying to step up onto a concrete block and being hindered by a rabbit grabbing it from behind

And if you do finally snuggle up to someone who seems perfect for you (24) - a guinea pig and duckling cuddled up next to each other

Now, what I find so confusing is that if these stone-faced folk truly believe all the scary stuff they preach, why do they choose to keep on living? (33) - a grasshopper, blurred except for its sharply focused head and front legs, tapping its head in a quizzical manner

There is always someone you can count on (40) - a koala clinging to the back of a German shepherd

So in other words, a good support network is always valuable, but hiring personal bodyguards is probably going too far! (67) - a kitten flanked by a duckling on either side, all three standing erect

Embrace the unpredictable and go exploring for things that inspire you (96) - a cat gazing at a dandelion whose seeds are about to take flight

And the time that special person whispered, “I love you.” (104) - a joey seemingly whispering in its mother’s ear

As you make this journey, always remember that each day is a precious gift... (108) - a guinea pig holding a daisy in its mouth

Check the book out for yourself and find your own favorites. And take the words to heart, because everyone can use a little comfort now and then.