NEW BEGINNINGS

January always gets me thinking about New Beginnings - a chance for assessment and resolutions, a time to appreciate the past year in retrospect and to anticipate the upcoming year and the change we will strive for in our lives.

Perhaps because we have also just celebrated Nativity, the New Year brings to mind new birth and hope.

These two children's books reflect that appreciation and anticipation of new beginnings - in the birth of babies...

JANUARY'S CHILD by Andrea Alban Gosline, illustrated by Lisa Burnett Bossi. 

"You were born in your very own month of the year and the world was waiting to welcome you here with daydreams and wishes and circles of love and in turn you brought a gift from above...." 

Every day is someone's birthday, which January's Child celebrates with creative attributes for each month of the year. More positive than the traditional "Monday's Child" rhyme, and geared for families to share among youngest and oldest members, this is a beautifully illustrated treasury, perfect as a gift for birthdays or new babies.

ON THE NIGHT YOU WERE BORN by Nancy Tillman.

On the night you were born, 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..."

The sweet rhyming text of this book celebrates and praises the uniqueness of a newborn.  Creation - polar bears, giraffes, geese, the moon, the wind - is shown as jubilant in the poetry and rich illustrations of this beautiful book (also a wonderful baby shower or birthday gift)!

GOD GAVE US...

With Thanksgiving approaching, it's important to remember all the good things God has given us.  Author, Lisa Tawn Bergren does just that in her cute GOD GAVE US picture books.  Any of these books would make wonderful gifts for a new baby, a baptism, birthday, Valentine's Day, or Christmas.  The first one I ever came across was God Gave Us You, with illustrations by Laura J. Bryant.  This book gently answers a little bear cub's question of, "Where did I come from?"  The answer is simply explained without adult details.  I tear up every time I read:

"When we found out you were growing inside me, 

we were so happy!  

Even the angels were celebrating for us!"

"Because of me?" asked Little Cub.

"Yes, my darling child.  Because God gave us you." 

The book I choose first for my Christmas book list, "FORTY BOOKS FOR FORTY DAYS", is just as sweet and tender.  Click here to read an excellent and detailed review.  I think you'll want this book in your child's personal library!   God Gave Us Christmas, illustrated by David Hohn.


Other books by Lisa Tawn Bergren:
GOD GAVE US TWO, GOD GAVE US LOVE, GOD FOUND US YOU (for adoptive families).