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Summary
Summary
From a Newbery Medal-winning author comes a contemporary classic that's perfect for new parents as well as families with new siblings on the way.
You were the first to smile. You were the first to cry. You were the first to lift your head, to look at the trees and flowers and sky.
There is nothing like the first experience of having a child, a life-changing experience that completely transforms the meaning of love. While all babies in the family are special, a new sibling can be an especially challenging emotional transition for the firstborn, and this unique story addresses those insecurities head-on in a most gentle and lyrical way. You Were the First is also a touching tribute to any baby's early milestones--those unforgettable moments that will always be cherished. From first smiles to first cuddles and even to that first kiss, here's a loving ode to every child's--and parent's--momentous "firsts."
Author Notes
Patricia Maclachlan is the author of many beloved children's books, including Sarah, Plain and Tall , which won the Newbery Medal in 1986, several other bestselling books in the Sarah series, and picture books including All the Places to Love , What You Know First , Your Moon, My Moon , and Before You Came , co-authored with her daughter. A board member of the National Children's Book and Literacy Alliance, she lives with her husband in Massachusetts. They have five grandchildren-all of whom are firsts in her heart.Stephanie Graegin is the illustrator of Don't Feed the Baby , Water in the Park , Happy Birthday, Bunny! and several other books. She studied fine arts at the Maryland Institute College of Art, and went on to attend the Pratt Institute, where she received a master of fine arts in printmaking. She lives in Brooklyn, New York. You can visit her online at www.graegin.com.
Reviews (5)
School Library Journal Review
K-Gr 1-Told in second person, this picture book pays tribute to the significance of the moments with a baby from its very first night home. "You were the first.. You were the first to sleep in the basket with the yellow ribbon wound round. You were the first to cry. You were the first to smile." Simple, poignant lines allow plenty of room for the warm illustrations done in graphite pencil and ink to bring readers into the joyful home of this young family. Each page is full of telling details for children to notice while conveying emotion that will resonate strongly with parents. The baby grows a little with every page turn in this book of firsts-lifting his head, and then crawling, walking, and running-bringing readers to the powerful line in the text: "You were the first to teach us how to be parents." The book closes with that yellow-ribboned basket again while suggesting a possible second child, but promising that this baby will always be the first. A touching celebration for firstborns.-Julie Roach, Cambridge Public Library, MA (c) Copyright 2013. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Publisher's Weekly Review
Let's hear it for the privileges of birth order! Because as this book reminds all the Numero Unos out there, "One day there may be a second-or a third-to sleep in the basket with the yellow ribbon wound round. But you will always be the first." MacLachlan (Cat Talk) and Graegin (Water in the Park) celebrate the modest milestones that seem so marvelous the first time around: first snowfall, first steps, first smiles, and first coos. As MacLachlan sagely observes, first babies "teach us how to be parents," a statement that many children may find positively revelatory. However, the book presents parenthood as a surprisingly passive learning experience. Graegin's mixed-media images, rendered in soft nursery colors, portray a couple in a kind of holding pattern of happiness. There are no highs, lows, or frantic moments of wondering what to do; every page is a study in warm, easy smiles. Even singletons who think they're very special indeed may see this as an overidealized depiction of the nuclear family. Up to age 3. Author's agent: Rubin Pfeffer, East West Literary Agency. Illustrator's agent: Steven Malk, Writers House. (Sept.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.
Horn Book Review
A couple describes milestones in their child's life through toddlerhood: "You were the first to lift your head, to look at the trees and flowers and sky," and so on. Meticulous mixed-media illustrations gently escort the reader through the years, which the parents hypothesize may include "a second-- / or a third" child. It's heartwarming stuff--in a good way. (c) Copyright 2014. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Kirkus Review
Two doting parents celebrate the many milestones of their first child. Very proud parents (dad is white; mom has Asian features and coloring) narrate here, taking time to spell out all of the special moments they have shared with baby. They croon to the little one that he or she (it's not clear whether the child is a girl or a boy) was first to smile, cry, coo, look at the trees and flowers, go to the beach, crawl, dig in the garden, throw a ball and more. Through the poignant moments selected and the realistic yet muted illustrations that accompany them, readers watch as the seasons change and the child grows from tiny newborn to intrepid toddler. A blissful portrait emerges, with milestones such as teething pain and temper tantrums scrupulously avoided. The tender final pages--while potentially envy-inducing for those readers not first-born themselves--reveal the authentic but often unspoken feelings many new parents harbor: "You were the first to teach us how to be parents. // One day there may be a second-- / or a third--to sleep in the basket with the yellow ribbon wound round. // But you will always be the first." More than the children it ostensibly targets, new parents will appreciate this tender celebration of the parentfirst baby bond that grows as fast as the little one does. (Picture book. 3-6)]] Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Booklist Review
*Starred Review* Usually books about sibling jealousy over a new baby focus on the interloper. This sweet story reminds firstborns they will always have pride of place. The cover an Asian mom and a Caucasian dad smile at their baby and dog lying together on a quilt is representative of many adorable pictures to come. The text is directed to the child and tells of his many firsts: You were the first to cry. / You were the first to smile. As the story moves forward, the child becomes a little older in each spread. The tiny baby is soon crawling and blowing kisses at the dog. Later he crawls, toddles at the beach, catches leaves, and makes snow angels. When spring comes, he is the first to dig in the garden. He is also the first to teach us how to be parents. And though one day there may be a second or third child, he is reassured that You will always be the first. In some ways, of course, this is really for parents looking for a reassuring way to talk about family additions. But preschoolers will enjoy this look back, and the story should spark discussion and memories of what it was like when they were young(er).--Cooper, Ilene Copyright 2010 Booklist
