LadyD Books: Sweet Story: On The Night You Were Born

Choosing children’s books to read can seem like an easy task, especially when the person you are reading them too has little if any literary taste. However, this recently-published books promises to be entertaining for both you and your young.

On The Night You Were Born – Nancy Tillman (ages 4-8). This book is a lovely boost of self-esteem for your little one. As a parent, you are the one who can instill a healthy sense of self in your child and this book helps. News of your child’s birth travels the animal-laden pages of this book, and the animals dance and sing with jubilation. ”Because there had never been anyone like you…ever in the world. When the polar bears heard, they danced until dawn.” Lines like these celebrate the life of your child, leaving both you and your young one feeling unique and loved by the universe.

Product Details

Reading level: Baby-Preschool
Hardcover: 32 pages
Publisher: Feiwel & Friends; 1 edition (October 17, 2006)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0312346069
ISBN-13: 978-0312346065

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

The birth of a baby—"the one and only ever you"—causes jubilation throughout creation in this quietly celebratory picture book from newcomer Tillman. Polar bears dance, giraffes weave to the sound of brass horns, and "the moon smiled with such wonder/ that the stars peeked in to see you/ and the night wind whispered,/ 'Life will never be the same.' " Tillman successfully sidesteps the soft-focus sappiness that can accompany this genre. Her writing has the authenticity of whispered conversation; occasionally, she pauses in her exaltations of the baby to address the subject directly: "I think I'll count to three so you can wiggle your toes for me." Her strong, assured paintings truly set this book apart. The pictures subtly radiate golden glints of moonlight, and her almost sculptural rendering style gives her characters a hefty physicality that counterbalances the ethereal sentiments being expressed. Although one suspects that grown-ups will be most taken with the topic and treatment, this is one of those rare baby books that should make both skeptics and sentimentalists of all ages happy. All ages. (Oct.)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From School Library Journal
Kindergarten-Grade 2—Rhyming text extols and celebrates the uniqueness of a newborn. "Because there had never been anyone like you…ever in the world." As the news of the birth travels, creatures around the world celebrate. "When the polar bears heard, they danced until dawn." "…the geese flew home." "Heaven blew every trumpet…." The text sits on white pages opposite large, richly colored illustrations. The moon appears in all of the paintings—as reassuring as the text's sentiment. Golden musical notes float across the sky as white polar bears dance and giraffes sway to the sounds of the moon's saxophone. The dark blue night skies make a beautiful and dramatic setting for this special night. The painterly art and poetic quality of the text make this an attractive book. Parents and grandparents are most likely to appreciate it, but they will undoubtedly want to share it with a child.—Carolyn Janssen, Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County, OH
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved

Have you read this children's book written by Nancy Tillman? Your thoughts? I find it to be a sweet book and perfect gift book for new mother's, mother's adopting, and great for young children's self-esteem!

On the Night You Were Born

Warmest Regards,
LadyD