In simple words and radiant collages, Debra Frasier celebrates the natural miracles of the earth and extends an exuberant welcome to each member of our human family. Accompanied by a detailed glossary explaining such natural phenomena as gravity, tides, and migration, this is an unforgettable book. “A book filled with reverence for the natural order of the world and the place of the individual in it.”--School Library Journal
Amazon.com Review:
"On the eve of your birth ... the Earth and her creatures with the Sun and the Moon all moved in their places, each ready to greet you the very first moment of the very first day you arrived."
Every child loves to hear the story of how he or she came into the world, but usually very little attention is paid to how the world was in that magical moment. For any family who feels a special connection to nature and the flow of life, On the Day You Were Born will help baby understand how each of us is received not just by our family, but by the universe and its gentle ways. The simple, bright pictures in Debra Frasier's book recall Matisse, and they won the book a Parents' Choice Award for illustration. In the final pages, each illustration and theme in the book (migrating animals, gravity, glowing moon, rising tide, etc.) is explained in simple and direct language that can be used to teach older children how nature works on our planet, and how Earth works in the universe.
This beautiful hardcover book is accompanied by a washable, soft rattle that has a donut-shaped yellow handle with "Welcome" embroidered on it in blue thread. The head of the rattle is a round, blue sky embroidered with yellow stars and a red figure of a child dancing. (From birth) --Katherine Ferguson
Average Based on the reviews, I bought this book for my nephew's first birthday.
The concept was great, but the abstract pictures and abstract poetry, I believe, does not resonate with the reader, be it adult or child.
From parent to child I bought this book for my son as a birthday present, as he and I both like stories with Native American influences. He has read it many times since receiving it, especially when he wants to feel closer to me or to get through a bad day. This book is a wonderful addition to any young child's collection of stories.
On The Day You Were Born This is a book we give as a gift for new babies and their families. It is a beautiful book with colorful illustrations and meaningful text. It is definitely a "keepsake".
RSW/Mechanicsburg,Pa.
The Little One Enjoys It...Me, Not So Much My 1 yr old son enjoys having this read to him; however, my tongue doesn't. I find this book miserable to read. Unlike other books which tend to have more rhyme and rhythm, this one just has waaaaaaay too many adjectives and I find myself stumbling over the long sentences. Sometimes I even leave a few words out!
You may argue that it's the message that really counts (albiet this book tends to be a little mushy about it), but at the end of day, after having had my patience tried more times than I'd like to think, having to plow through this book is the last thing I want to do.
The illustrations are wonderful and my son DOES enjoy the book, and so I give it three stars for that.
Perfect birthday gift for a new baby This is a lovely gift for a new baby (forget the layette items, people get too many anyway!) - this and On the Night You Were Born are the books I send to all the new people I know. The sentiment in this book is perfect. In the prose-like text of this book, the little one is welcomed by the earth - the pictures are bold and fun to look at. I love it.