My backyard is where we play and learn, but it wasn’t always my backyard… Hit rewind on the view out your backdoor as this story zips back in time, showing readers how people, lifestyles, and land have changed over time. My Backyard Used to Be makes history feel current and accessible to young readers―and encourages them to discover what their own backyard used to be. VERDICT A meaningful addition to school and public libraries, as well as a lovely choice for readers to take home, where they can consider their own neighborhood's history. ― School Library Journal Published On: 2025-10-01 Lynn Baldwin is a picture book author who lives in Ann Arbor, Michigan, with her husband and teenage son. She writes in a purple office with a “Create with Joy” sign on the wall or on her deck surrounded by trees. She's happiest outside--and loves hiking, biking, paddleboarding, kayaking, cross-country skiing, and snow shoeing. Lynn is an avid traveler and has been to more than thirty countries (so far!).   Megan Elizabeth Baratta is a children's book illustrator and winner of the School Library Journal's inaugural 2022 Endies Award for Best Map. She lives in central New York with her husband, daughter, and three cats. She loves rendering scenes of ordinary life and showing their quiet beauty. Her books include Most Days, I Begin With Spring, and The Secret Stream.