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Summary
Summary
Before you were here, tu papi carved a mecedora from the wood of an old walnut tree so you and I could rock and cuddle together.
The members of a familia lovingly prepare for a new bebé . A tenderly written story, with Spanish words woven throughout, tells readers how Mami is eating healthy food, Papi is building a rocking chair, Abuela is painting elefantes and tigres, in the nursery, and brother and sister are helping with baby names.
With its vibrant and warm illustrations, this debut picture book is perfect for expectant parents or children curious about the time before they were here.
Author Notes
Samantha R. Vamos lives outside Seattle, Washington, with her husband, young son, and their cat. This is her first picture book.
Born in Mexico, Santiago Cohennow lives with his family in Hoboken, New Jersey. He has illustrated numerous books for young readers.
Reviews (4)
Horn Book Review
A mother lovingly relates to her new baby all that happened "before you were here." The flowing narrative, sprinkled with Spanish words and phrases ("...you lived in mi barriguita, sleeping, eating, and growing..."), emphasizes the love of the extended family all awaiting baby's birth. The illustrations contain striking colors, simple shapes, and fluid dark lines. Glos. (c) Copyright 2010. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted. All rights reserved.
Booklist Review
Addressing her child, a mother describes the family's excitement, anticipation, and preparation leading up to the child's birth. The English narrative is liberally seasoned with Spanish, introducing words for family members, colors, shapes, animals, and other terms. Sometimes the Spanish is more extensive: Tu papi recited poesia cantada while strumming su guitarra. Just in case the bebe is listening,' he said. Outlined with a bold black line, the illustrations bathe the family preparations in bright warm colors and provide plenty of clues to the Spanish vocabulary. A glossary of definitions without pronunciation is appended. Similar to Eve Bunting's You Were Loved before You Were Born ( 2008), and Anne Bowen's I Loved You before You Were Born (2001), this adds a distinctly Latino flavor to the familiar theme.--Perkins, Linda Copyright 2009 Booklist
School Library Journal Review
PreS-Gr 2-A tender love story about an extended family's preparation for a new baby. As the mother explains to her unborn child, everyone has participated; papi has made a rocking chair, abuela has painted a mural on the nursery wall, abuelo has planted a tree "to grow along with you," etc. Descriptions of the loving family and their various tasks are given mostly in English, with some Spanish words seamlessly woven in and included in a glossary at the end of the story. However, Cohen's illustrations do a marvelous job of giving clues for those who are unfamiliar with the language. For example, the baby's sister draws a picture of nuestra familia, and holds it up proudly. Cohen uses the texture of the paper and his watercolor paints to create depth and movement in the vividly colored illustrations. This lovely story may encourage discussions of individual birth preparations in readers' own families.-Susan E. Murray, Glendale Public Library, AZ (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Kirkus Review
A new baby is welcomed by the entire family as Mami recounts everything that happened in preparation for and anticipation of the little one's arrival. Hermano wished for a be"sbol partner while hermana drew a picture of la familia. Abuelo planted a new tree; Abuela painted a tropical jungle in the baby's bedroom with jirafas, elefantes and tigres. Mami ate well and felt tiny little pies (feet) flutter in her barriguita (tummy). A gentle and lovingly blended text provides a fluid telling with important and basic Spanish vocabulary woven into the English, from animal and body part names to numbers and colors. Vamos's easily interpreted story is matched by Cohen's black-outlined folk-artstyle drawings in bright primary hues; they depict an extended Latino family, all involved in the joy of the pregnancy and birth. This Spanish-flavored introduction, with its universal message of love for new babies and siblings, will become a favorite among growing bilingual families. (glossary) (Picture book. 3-5) Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
