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Emma Dodd's Love You Books
When You Were Born
A loving celebration of all kinds of babies.
What does a new baby’s arrival mean to his or her parents? We find out as we travel around the world, meeting an adorable baby seal, baby elephant, and baby person!
What does a new baby’s arrival mean to his or her parents? We find out as we travel around the world, meeting an adorable baby seal, baby elephant, and baby person!
24 pages, Hardcover
First published November 1, 2013
About the author
Emma Dodd
315 books149 followersEmma Dodd Author/Illustrator
Emma was brought up in Guildford, Surrey, in a family of artists and from as far back as she can remember she has wanted to be an illustrator.
Emma studied Graphic Design and Illustration at Central Saint Martin's School of Art and has worked extensively in advertising, editorial and book illustration.
She was nominated for the Booktrust Early Years Award in 2006 for her book "What Pet to Get" and in 2009 for "Miaow said the Cow"
Emma lives in Surrey with her husband and two children, who provide inspiration for her work, and their Jack Russel Terrier, Bart, who keeps her fit. She likes to spend any spare time in North Cornwall, surfing and walking in all weathers.
Emma was brought up in Guildford, Surrey, in a family of artists and from as far back as she can remember she has wanted to be an illustrator.
Emma studied Graphic Design and Illustration at Central Saint Martin's School of Art and has worked extensively in advertising, editorial and book illustration.
She was nominated for the Booktrust Early Years Award in 2006 for her book "What Pet to Get" and in 2009 for "Miaow said the Cow"
Emma lives in Surrey with her husband and two children, who provide inspiration for her work, and their Jack Russel Terrier, Bart, who keeps her fit. She likes to spend any spare time in North Cornwall, surfing and walking in all weathers.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews
June 9, 2023
um Himmels Willen , Schenk mir dieses Buch zum Geburtstag.
March 6, 2017
Apparently, it is put-the-cutest-books-ever on my desk week, because this is cute book #2 and it is only Tuesday. I think Dodd's illustrations are so beautiful. The spread with the seals on the beach, is just breathtaking. And the words are really sweet, to boot!
July 3, 2015
If you want to watch a pregnant lady cry, watch her read this book.
October 17, 2023
So far, every book I've read by Emma Dodd reads like a trip to a candy store -- a religious, or spiritual, or simply very sentimental, candy story.
Specifically, this book presents a heroic mythology about how, apparently, the entire universe paused to acknowledge the birth of the baby in this story. And by implication, this miracle child is much like the youngster who is being read this story.
Personally, I like to make a distinction between objective reality and subjective reality. In my experience, the birth of a baby --and raising of the child -- is hugely important... subjectively... for those who love that child.
However, that's quite different from what author Emma Dodd proclaims in this book, as if objectively, such as, "When you were born the grass waved."
But it takes all kinds to make a world of Goodreaders. In honor of Dodd's intended audience, though, FIVE STARS.
I'll add a bit more personal comment below.
Specifically, this book presents a heroic mythology about how, apparently, the entire universe paused to acknowledge the birth of the baby in this story. And by implication, this miracle child is much like the youngster who is being read this story.
Personally, I like to make a distinction between objective reality and subjective reality. In my experience, the birth of a baby --and raising of the child -- is hugely important... subjectively... for those who love that child.
However, that's quite different from what author Emma Dodd proclaims in this book, as if objectively, such as, "When you were born the grass waved."
But it takes all kinds to make a world of Goodreaders. In honor of Dodd's intended audience, though, FIVE STARS.
I'll add a bit more personal comment below.
December 2, 2020
This would be a great book for parents to read to their baby/babies. It is really sweet and has a rhyming element throughout the text, making for a lyrical flow of words. The animals are large and brightly colored, featuring different habitats and seasons. It should be noted that the human family at the end is of the book is white/Caucasian. Thank you to Templar Publishing for providing me a free copy of this book in exchange of an honest review.
April 10, 2021
This is a 2020 reissue of a 2013 title by Dodd in a larger format than most board books.
I had not previously read this title.
It focuses on the joy of several sets of animal parents as well as a human family being joyful because of the birth of a baby.
I had not previously read this title.
It focuses on the joy of several sets of animal parents as well as a human family being joyful because of the birth of a baby.
May 10, 2024
So precious. Narrated from the perspective of moms and dads, at first we see Mom and Dad animals with their babies. Then at the end, we see a human mom and dad with their baby. I loved the illustrations.
November 27, 2017
Lovely. Another good book for new parents.
September 2, 2018
Super sweet like all of hers
July 5, 2019
Cute, knockout illustrations! I wish the parents weren’t all white at the end.
March 28, 2020
Beautiful illustrations and story!
December 31, 2020
An amazingly gentle book that reminds us how much joy we brought to our parents when we were born. What a beautiful book to read to your little one.
February 16, 2021
very sweet board book. shows different animal babies and parents. "when you were born, the rain stopped...the sun came out, and the sky turned blue" has a human baby and parents at the end.
April 20, 2022
Emma Dodd is so saccharine but I love it anyway.
December 20, 2022
Heartwarming, tear-jerking, adorably comforting. A great gift to someone on their birthday, young or old.
May 13, 2021
A series of animals recall the day on which their child was born.
This picture book conveys parental love and devotion, using short simple text. It provides reassurance to children that they are deeply loved by their primary caregivers.
The text is simple and soothing, and the illustrations, accented with silver foil, are gentle with vivid landscapes.
This picture book conveys parental love and devotion, using short simple text. It provides reassurance to children that they are deeply loved by their primary caregivers.
The text is simple and soothing, and the illustrations, accented with silver foil, are gentle with vivid landscapes.
March 14, 2017
what a sweet book! Lovely illustrations! Kudos Emma!!
February 9, 2017
When you were born we all laughed, we all cried, our dreams came true. When you were born our eyes saw the world anew
entah, aku bisa menjadi seorang Ibu yang baik atau tidak pada saatnya nanti. Yang jelas aku tahu: akan mencintai dan menyayangimu, bahkan rasa itu tumbuh dari sebelum kamu terlahir.
July 25, 2015
As all parents must surely know, everything changes with the birth of a baby. With rhyming text and various animals and their offspring, this book celebrates the unique bonds shared by family members. I like how the natural world is depicted and how the book ends with a reminder that everything seems fresh and new with this birth. While I understand that the author/illustrator was creating a pattern with the book's pages and images, it is disappointing that all of these families have what looks to be one mother, one father, and one child. I did love the spots of silver sprinkled through some of the pages, and I know youngsters would enjoy listening to the melodic text.
March 17, 2015
I was totally on board, even getting to really appreciate the use of shiny silver (which I more often than not consider a cheap gimmick--see The Rainbow Fish)--it's subtle and lovely here. But the second to last spread shows an owl's body morphing into a human's head. I'm not sure it was supposed to be like that, or if it's an error, but it's terribly confusing and distracting and it took me right out of the book.
June 2, 2015
Rhyming text describes the environmental and atmospheric changes on the day of a baby's birth. Different animals in different climates are featured, with the last image being that of a human family.
I was hoping for a racially diverse family in the final spread, but the story reads well and the digital illustrations, especially the use of the reflective silver streaks was well done.
PreK-2.
I was hoping for a racially diverse family in the final spread, but the story reads well and the digital illustrations, especially the use of the reflective silver streaks was well done.
PreK-2.
July 24, 2015
This sweet text is sentimental, but not overly so, and can be enjoyed by children as well as parents. Dodd’s digital illustrations are endearing, and the slight metallic touches bring a nice textural element to the drawings. Children ages 2-5 will enjoy sharing this book with a family member who loves them.
March 6, 2015
Adorable Picture Book full of really cute illustrations which has silver embedded into the pages. See images of parents and baby of various animals (Elephants, Bears, Seals, Owls and Humans) alongside a lovely poem.
July 7, 2015
Emma Dodd's picture books are beautiful! The stories are sweet and the artwork always has a lovely shimmery quality to it, literally. My son enjoys playing with the page to view what aspect contains the shimmer. Wonderful story for a short nighttime read to pair with something slightly longer.
January 4, 2021
Cute little book about meeting lots of new born animals, and then meeting the new born baby human. Your child can meet all these baby animals through the book. It's great for your child to hear about how excited everyone was when he/she was born and that he/she is the world to you.
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February 24, 2015Different animal families celebrate
September 8, 2023
Animal parents and their cute babies.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 6, 2015
Cute, simple story about loving the baby.
Good for toddler storytimes.
Good for toddler storytimes.
May 22, 2015
Sweet rhyming tale about babies. The narrative is lyrical and the illustrations are colorful and cartoonish. Soothing story for younger children that would be perfect for bedtime.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews