This debut picture book by Nancy Tillman has touched the hearts of readers of all ages, from the youngest readers, to new mothers, to grandparents. A New York Times and Publishers Weekly bestselling book, On the Night You Were Born is sure to be a beloved addition to family libraries. I think this is a sweet book for very young kids, but even some slightly older children will enjoy it. I dedicate this to you my darling baby, Arya. You are the spice our life was missing. Happy 1st Birthday! Tillman weaves rich illustrations and comforting language to promote in children a deep sense of their own worth. Before the tale ends, children will be wiggling their toes and whispering their names in joyous celebration of their own unique wonder. When the polar bears heard, they danced until dawn. From faraway places, the geese flew home. The moon stayed up until morning next day. And none of the ladybugs flew away.

Ten years ago this month, Feiwel and Friends released Nancy Tillman's On The Night You Were Born, a publishing moment that marked three significant “firsts.” This originally self-published picture book celebrating a baby’s birth was Tillman’s debut title, the first children’s book sold by literary agent Cathy Hemming, and the inaugural title released under Macmillan’s Feiwel and Friends imprint. And the stars’ auspicious alignment continued: On the Night You Were Born is the top-selling title for author, agent, and imprint. On the 10th anniversary of its publication, this popular go-to baby gift has sold more than five million copies in its hardcover and board-book editions.On the night you were born, the whole world came alive with thanksgiving. The moon stayed up till morning. The geese flew home to celebrate. Polar bears danced.

Because there had never been anyone like you… ever in the world. So enchanted with you were the wind and the rain, that they whispered the sound of your wonderful name.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."and the illustrations are breathtaking. I love the idea of nature (including animals, plants, the wind, the moon) celebrating the birth of a child, and celebrating joyfully that unique child. My daughter loves it too, at first she was uncooperative about being read to, but as the routine grew so did her attitude towards it, and now when I pull the books out her face lights up and she forgets whatever she was doing, it's now daddy and daughter time. It has made our bedtime routine much easier to slip into, I usually give her one book to thumb through while I read her the other, and though she enjoys playing with the book given to her, she is clearly glued to the story being read, and more often than not, once I'm done reading to her, she either takes the book from my hand and gives it to mommy to read, or she takes the other book and gives it to one of us to read. Either way, her appreciation for reading time is clearly there, which is exactly what we seek to accomplish with storytime. The only downside to these wonderful books is trying to take them away from her after storytime is done, she knows that putting the books away means the end of storytime and she does not let that time end without a fight!

I could have done without the zoo bears; the “wild” polar bears were sufficient for bears’ participation, in my opinion. The (somewhat fantastical) natural world depicted in this book felt magical. Fortunately, Tillman’s greeting-card distributor, Bottman Designs, stepped in to help. “Tom Bottman distributed half of the books I sold the first year to gift stores around the country,” she said, “and Biblio Distribution came on board soon after to supply the book to large bookstores and independents.” This is one of the most wonderfully inspirational books I have ever read! http://www.nancytillman.com/books/night/ Nancy Tillman is a successful greeting card designer and former advertising executive who created On the Night You Were Born to convey to children, at an early and impressionable age, that You are the one and only ever you. Nancy Tillman lives in Portland, Oregon, with her husband and their two children.

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We musn't forget to encourage our 'very young people' to read and to appreciate the beauty of the traditional BOOK. Nancy Tillman's series does just that.

If the moon stays up until morning one day, or a ladybug lands and decides to stay, or a little bird sits at your window awhile, it’s because they’re all hoping to see you smile…

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Though Tillman was well acquainted with the printing business from her advertising work, she found herself a bit at sea after deciding to try to get her picture book published. “Much had changed in the printing and publishing industries in the years I was at home,” she said. “I didn’t have an agent or publisher connection at the time I was ready to move forward, and self-publishing seemed the fastest way to get the book to market.”