You Were Loved Before You Were Born

by Eve Bunting, Karen Barbour (Illustrator)

In glowing paintings and a gentle, soothing text, a family and neighbors prepare as a baby gets closer and closer to being born. Everyone loves the baby, even before he/she is born.

Everyone in the family, and all the neighbors, too, are getting the house and garden ready for the birth of this highly anticipated child. The baby's room is painted with rainbows and stars, special furniture is made and bought, a kite is made, local children create a welcome banner. It feels as if the entire world is waiting just for this one special baby to be born. And when it is born, the parents make this very, very We loved you even before you were born...and we always will.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Family

32 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2008

About the author

Also known as Evelyn Bolton and A.E. Bunting.

Anne Evelyn Bunting, better known as Eve Bunting, is an author with more than 250 books. Her books are diverse in age groups, from picture books to chapter books, and topic, ranging from Thanksgiving to riots in Los Angeles. Eve Bunting has won several awards for her works.

Bunting went to school in Ireland and grew up with storytelling. In Ireland, “There used to be Shanachies… the shanachie was a storyteller who went from house to house telling his tales of ghosts and fairies, of old Irish heroes and battles still to be won. Maybe I’m a bit of a Shanchie myself, telling stories to anyone who will listen.” This storytelling began as an inspiration for Bunting and continues with her work.

In 1958, Bunting moved to the United States with her husband and three children. A few years later, Bunting enrolled in a community college writing course. She felt the desire to write about her heritage. Bunting has taught writing classes at UCLA. She now lives in Pasadena, California.

Reviews

[Dayona Williams · Rating 3 out of 5]

You were loved before you were born has a realistic fiction and possibly traditional literature genre This book has a good message to talk about family love! .However, I thought the message was very vague. It doesn't allow the reader to offer questions and things to think about to children. The illustrations were also very simple not very detailed. However it did not pose any stereotypes or things that would turn this negative. I gave this book 3 stars because of the strong loving message regarding family but a stronger plot would have made it better.

[Amelia · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Before you were born, you were loved by your aunt. 'I am giving this child the moon and the stars,' she said. 'And a rainbow, too.'"

A beautiful, almost folkish, picture book to read to your newborn. With beautiful water colors with wonderful, patchwork, swirling patterns and the intertwining connection to family, this picture book is a work of art. Through the familial connections Bunting writes of and the intensive care Barbour instills in her illustrations, this collaboration is both artistic and emotional.

[Krista · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lovely, sweet book about a family that loved their child before it was born. The pictures are rather artsy and unique, not really my style but the story itself is so meaningful that it deserves 5 stars!

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

A sweet story, with strange illustrations that I still liked and found somewhat compelling. A beautiful message for parents to give a child. That they are loved.

[Amy Nicole · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.75 ⭐s

[Emily Love · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love the words, but this illustration style is not one I particularly enjoy. If you like this style, you'll love the book because the words are beautiful.

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is beautiful.

[Monica Tomasello · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful story about how the extended family and friends prepared for the birth of a new baby.

[Jessica Maddox · Rating 4 out of 5]

Filled with a captivating illustration style and sweet words.

[Ayren Daniels]

This is a sweet book about how the child was loved before it was born. I think it would be good if it was in a collection of books about different types of families and support systems.

[Kathy Piselli · Rating 4 out of 5]

My favorite part is telling the dog the baby is coming.

[Mike Romesburg · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Final Project" - Author Study: Eve Bunting


“You Were Loved Before You Were Born”, by Eve Bunting, is a wonderful story about a family’s anticipation of the arrival of a newborn child. This is an excellent story because it allows a child to see just how special he is to his parents, even before he was physically a part of the world. Also, the text and the illustrations coordinate exceptionally well, which enriches the reading experience for the children who choose to read this story. Lastly, this story would be excellent to show an only child who is expecting a newborn brother or sister. This is the case because it will show the child just how important a newborn is and the attention that is required to properly care for an infant. Additionally, this may help a child understand that his parents may not have quite as much time to play, because the brother or sister needs around the clock care, not because his parents do not love him anymore.

Overall, this is an excellent book with several lessons that a young child can take and apply to his life. I highly recommend it to any expecting parents or anybody who knows a child that needs reassurance about his importance to his family.

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book contains very heartfelt reminders. It essentially showcases how exciting having a baby can be and what kinds of preparations are made because of how loved babies are even before they are born. My personal favorite part of this book would definitely have to be the illustrations because they are so colorful and have so many patterns. So much action is going on in these illustrations and they really help give the reader a sense of how many people care about this baby and what they are doing for the baby to come. This book really celebrates life and I think has the power for a person to stop for a second and consider just how loved they really are by so many different people. I also think this book is appropriate for kindergartners or first graders because it’s so visual and simple and could be used at story time or lessons talking about student’s cultures and families.

[Suzanne Lorraine Kunz Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

The illustrations in the book were so beautiful, uplifting and Peaceful!!!!! This book shows the many people who love and celebrate babies even before them come down from Heaven. The artwork in this book is so beautiful I would loved to frame some of it and put it up around my house!

* Talking Points - Who loves you? How do you know? Who do you love? How do you show that love?

[Dorothy Carder · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was so excited to see a particular section in the library for Eve Bunting! This book was very family-oriented and one that could be given as a gift to a newborn child that they could then have on into their later years of life. Something I noticed was that there was minimal print which lead me to believe the focus of the book was meant to be on the illustrations, which were very bright and vivid. It's a great book depicting the expected arrival of a new child and all of the preparation that goes into it from all members of a family.

[Jfrlewis · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a very sweet book - a little cheesy, but nice. I liked the illustrations, although they seemed more attractive to an adult than a child. I especially liked the illustration on the page when the child is born.

[Bridget · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. It is about how extended family, friends and neighbors were excited to meet the new baby before it was even born. Just how it should be. Folk style retro illustrations were whimsical.

[Lauren · Rating 4 out of 5]

The pictures might scare the bejeezus out of a chld, but I like them.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great story with magnificent artwork. I want to paste the pages to my walls.

[Tracy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautifully illustrated. A nice book serves as a conversation starter.

[Lindsay · Rating 3 out of 5]

family, baby being born

beautiful illustrations

[Susan · Rating 2 out of 5]

i wanted to like this based on the title. just didn't care for it, neither the text nor the illustrations.

[N · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great for pregnant ladies

[Jenna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this book. Love it.

[Ali · Rating 4 out of 5]

My girls love this book. The illustration is unique and enjoyable. The message of the story is wonderful.

[Ebony Hargett · Rating 4 out of 5]

cute story about a family preparing for their new baby. I would use this story as a read-aloud or independent reading when talking about families and babies.

[Teri · Rating 3 out of 5]

typically good--we're happy you were born kind of book

[Randie D. Camp, M.S. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Would make a great gift for expecting families, adopting families, and families with little babies :).

[Takeisha Hannor · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was a good book to read. I read this book to my son to let him know that he was loved even before he was born. He enjoyed looking at the pictures and smiling as well. Good book!

[Miss Erica · Rating 3 out of 5]

GR Level: J

Elementary: E BUN

When family members find out a baby is on it's way- everyone shows their love and excitement by helping out and making gifts for the baby.