Wait 'til you're older

"Wait 'til you're older"--are there any more frustrating words in the English language? Reha is frustrated by her older brother Arvan's refusal to let her play with his prized toy T. rex. "You're too little," he tells her, while her mother also suggests waiting until she's bigger. Determined to join in the fun, Reha embarks on an imaginative journey to grow up quickly, first attempting to build a time machine before later working on a rocket to search for a black hole. At one point, she decides to go back to the Mesozoic era--who needs toys when you've got real live dinos? Each whimsical plan fails, but when the intrigued Arvan offers to help, Reha wisely agrees--on one condition. He must bring his T. rex along to play. Together, they not only construct a toy rocket, but also forge a stronger sibling bond that will carry them forward. Energetic earth-toned illustrations accented by splashes of purple and blue complement the narrative, adding warmth and charm. Reha's spirited problem-solving and her eventual collaboration with Arvan result in a heartening, engaging work. Several pages of backmatter explaining time, time travel, relativity, and black holes round out this playful story with doses of science and philosophy. Reha and her family are brown-skinned; names imply South Asian heritage. Infused with science, a quirky tale that will delight children and caregivers alike. (author's note, references)(Picture book. 4-9) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.