On the Night You Were Born

I never heard about this book before a friend gave my family a duplicate copy, and this is a shame. Nancy Tillman wrote a gorgeous story about the beauty and love of each special child born into this world. The story is framed in poetry to organize its text, but the author does it right. Yes, many of the sentences rhyme, but the rhythm of the words is fluid, organic, and the rhymes accentuate the lyricism instead of feeling forced. As to the content, it is dreamy and soothing, in keeping with the tone of the poetry. The book describes how natural phenomena were moved by the birth of the child, addressed in second person so the text can apply to any child being read to, as animals and the moon and wind and stars gather to admire the tiny show more new baby. The author ends with exhorting the child to know that whenever she or he see the moon staying up until morning, or bears sleeping at the zoo, or hear geese honking in the sky, to know that all of it is indicative of how special and how loved the child is. This story is very touching, it actually brought me to the edge of crying.

As this is a picture book, the art is a big element, of equal weight with the text. The illustrations are bright and saturated, with plenty of shades of golden yellow and deep blue. They appear to be watercolors blended with other mediums (my artistic expertise is very amateur), and they evoke lullabies and the stunning beauty of glorious days and enchanting nights. I appreciated the music notes that float across many of the pages, in accord with the story line that the the magical and musical sound of the baby's name is whispered through the wind. The pictures perfectly complement the text. I also loved the Bible verse that starts the book (For you are fearfully and wonderfully made), and the small but bold note in the center of the blank page at the end of the book (You are loved). From start to finish this is a lovely book, not especially profound or deep, but brimming with love. I wish I had this book at the birth of my first daughter, but still am reading it to them even now, big girls that they are. show less

This beautiful poem picture book is about all the wild things things that heard the name of a baby being born. It is lovely, Liam doesn't understand the text at all, but finds the pictures very interesting, full of detail to notice on repeated readings.

My Review: This is a sweet, adorable book that relates the events that occurred on the day the reader/child/niece was born, including smiling moons, watching stars, and dancing bears, as each is amazed at the wonder of a new and unique being being brought onto the earth. Accompanied by lovely artwork, the book just makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside, because I honestly believe my niece is a wonder, as I'm sure all aunties do and all parents, too (look, I'm rhyming!).

My Niece's Review: Captivating. She quieted down and tamed her wiggles for the duration of the reading. She's fond of music, so I think she liked the sing-song quality of the rhymes.

We so love this story, the illustrations are beautiful and a work of their own. Love they rhyming verse. Brings tears to my eyes, the words are so heart felt. Nice book to have in a personal library collection, could be in a teacher's library to help with self-esteem and a reminder of home, as a lot of children have this book.

On the Night You Were Born is a short bedtime story for children. Each page of the book depicts something that happened the night of the audience’s birth. The events tend to deal with something that is natural, beautiful, and breathtaking. The big message of the story is that he world was ready and excited for everyone that arrived here. The book is most suitable for younger readers—1st to 2nd. I enjoyed this book because of its simple structure and captivating illustrations. Simple structure is evident on the 3rd page of the book. The author starts a statement that spans over a few pages—“It sailed through the farmland high on the breeze.. over the ocean… and through the trees.” In addition, the story has captivating show more illustrations. Illustrations seem somewhat realistic and utilize soft, dark color tones ideal for bed time. For example, there is a page where the moon is hung in the corner of the page with a deep blue sky and a black ground as 2 white geese fly over. show less

A sweet story celebrating the arrival of the reader. Kids sometimes get lost in the day-to-day shuffle of busy, modern hectic life - and this makes a very young reader feel loved/special among nature.

In trying to find a special book for a special 2 year old whose 48 year old father had died suddenly, this was the book that stood out. Besides the beautiful illustrations and his inability right now to comprehend all that has happened, I will have done well if EVER in his life this book gives him comfort. This book is for ANYONE who ever needs to provide ANYONE with comfort and a sense of being special.