I am not sure if You Are Loved: Welcome Wishes for New Babies by Nancy Tillman is really a book that should count towards the total. But I am writing it up anyways as it needs to be talked about!
This a baby book. You the parent, guardian, grandparent or even aunt/uncle fill in the information. However, it is not just “height, weight, who visited you, etc.” but other things as well. Such as information about the parents and things around you. Yet, it is not just the usual “Your mom’s name is Kathy.” Or “Your dad wanted to name you Killer” as was in my baby book (okay, there was not anything about my dad wanting to name me Killer…). This time it is a more poetic take on the “firsts” of your life and more. There is no spot to put your first lock of hair. Or even the baby’s footprint (sadly, mine did not stay that small for long….) yet, there is plenty to fill in.
It is not a book to read, obviously, but I was enjoying what text there is as well. When the information is filled in, then it becomes more of a story to read to the child. Until then it is really the illustrations that makes this book. They are in the signature style of Tillman. Her colors are that rich, soft, bold and artistic combination that has made her other works so popular: On the Night You Were Born and more recent You’re All Kinds of Wonderful. Therefore, in September, you can get your copy of Tillman’s latest gem. 