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We Sang You Home
In this sweet and lyrical board book from the creators of the bestselling Little You, gentle rhyming text captures the wonder new parents feel as they welcome baby into the world. A celebration of the bond between parent and child, this is the perfect song to share with your little ones.
Internationally renowned storyteller and bestselling author Richard Van Camp teams up with award-winning illustrator Julie Flett for a second time to create a stunning board book for babies and toddlers.
Internationally renowned storyteller and bestselling author Richard Van Camp teams up with award-winning illustrator Julie Flett for a second time to create a stunning board book for babies and toddlers.
24 pages, Board Book
First published October 18, 2016
About the author
Richard Van Camp
50 books239 followersA Dogrib (Tlicho) Dene from Fort Smith, NWT, Richard Van Camp is an internationally renowned storyteller and best-selling author. He is the author of the novel, The Lesser Blessed, a collection of short stories, Angel Wing Splash Pattern, and two children’s books with Cree artist, George Littlechild. His new baby book: Welcome Song for Baby: A Lullaby for Newborns is the official selection of the Books for BC Babies program and is being given to every newborn baby in British Columbia in 2008. His new novel, Blessing Wendy, will be released in the fall of 2009 through Orca Book Publishers. Richard was awarded Storyteller of the Year for both Canada and the US by the Wordcraft Circle of Native Writers and Storytellers. You can visit Richard at his website: www.richardvancamp.org.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 114 reviews
June 2, 2019
As we give you roots
you give us wings
And through you
we are born again
Our everyday miracle
our everyday smile
Our forever home
is inside of you
No pressure, kids!
I don't know what the synopsis is talking about; as you can see, the text doesn't rhyme at all. This is basically just a collection of nice little sayings accompanied by Julie Flett's collage illustrations. The premise worked in Little You , which I read and reviewed last year. But this book left me cold.
The problem is that it's really a book for adults. Despite the fact that it's a board book, only parents are really going to appreciate the message. And I'm not sure if the illustrations here are going to be enough to keep kids engaged.
For a better book by the author, have a look at May We Have Enough to Share . For a better book by the illustrator, have a look at My Heart Fills with Happiness . Both of those books work better than this mediocre collaboration.
you give us wings
And through you
we are born again
Our everyday miracle
our everyday smile
Our forever home
is inside of you
No pressure, kids!
I don't know what the synopsis is talking about; as you can see, the text doesn't rhyme at all. This is basically just a collection of nice little sayings accompanied by Julie Flett's collage illustrations. The premise worked in Little You , which I read and reviewed last year. But this book left me cold.
The problem is that it's really a book for adults. Despite the fact that it's a board book, only parents are really going to appreciate the message. And I'm not sure if the illustrations here are going to be enough to keep kids engaged.
For a better book by the author, have a look at May We Have Enough to Share . For a better book by the illustrator, have a look at My Heart Fills with Happiness . Both of those books work better than this mediocre collaboration.
January 19, 2017
An ode to a parent's love for their kids.
February 9, 2021
This is a lovely board book with one of those themes that will resonate more for the parents reading it than for the child. But, that's okay. Babies and tots will feel the love in the words read aloud and the illustrations are captivating. Written and illustrated by Native American creators, it's a beautiful glimpse at a present-day Native American family with a message that will likely resonate with every new parent.
June 27, 2018
A sweet book for new parents to read to their new child. Written in both English and Plains Cree, this tells the child how much they are loved, and important.
Beautiful pictures. Beautiful sentiments.
Good that dual language picture books are being published, so this can be available to children of Cree parents as well.
#KaKîwehNikamôstamâtinân #NetGalley
Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review.
Beautiful pictures. Beautiful sentiments.
Good that dual language picture books are being published, so this can be available to children of Cree parents as well.
#KaKîwehNikamôstamâtinân #NetGalley
Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review.
December 13, 2016
An absolutely charming book that can be read to babies and toddlers about love parents have for children. It's also important to note that it gives voice to Indigenous cultures, which is very important since their voices are almost completely unheard in children's literature. The art is also quite nice. A good choice for the upcoming holiday season if you know of anyone with babies!
November 4, 2016
A nice gift for new parents.
April 6, 2017
Board books can serve many purposes. Some are for chewing. Some are for learning concepts. Some are for fun. Some are apparently for making librarians cry at their desks on a Friday morning.
The newest board book by Richard Van Camp and illustrated by Julie Flett is the latter. Its beautiful illustrations and text share just how happy parents are to have their children in their lives. Van Camp writes about how much babies and children are loved by their parents. Flett's illustrations show a small First Nations family with love and beauty. One spread, where the family is on a walk, shows a flock of birds flying and it is gorgeous. It shows a huge sky and small people, which is unusual for board books, but works to show how big and wonderful the world is.
This is a great choice for a new baby gift. It is also a wonderful cuddly time book, perhaps for bedtime.
-dz
The newest board book by Richard Van Camp and illustrated by Julie Flett is the latter. Its beautiful illustrations and text share just how happy parents are to have their children in their lives. Van Camp writes about how much babies and children are loved by their parents. Flett's illustrations show a small First Nations family with love and beauty. One spread, where the family is on a walk, shows a flock of birds flying and it is gorgeous. It shows a huge sky and small people, which is unusual for board books, but works to show how big and wonderful the world is.
This is a great choice for a new baby gift. It is also a wonderful cuddly time book, perhaps for bedtime.
-dz
November 22, 2016
This little board book is a parent’s song to a child containing message every child should hear; you are wanted, you are loved, you are our miracle. Each page has sparse illustrations of Native American children and families but universally appealing to all. A great gift to new parents. Reviewer 11
January 30, 2017
In poetic text, parents welcome a child to the world. Gouache illustrations with digital collage features a cast of First Nations characters.
Highly recommended for new parents, especially as a gift, and for reading to baby.
Highly recommended for new parents, especially as a gift, and for reading to baby.
July 3, 2019
Popular storyteller Richard Van Camp and award-winning illustrator Julie Flett team up a second time in this lovely, lyrical book on the wonder parents feel with a new baby. Beautiful illustrations and poetic text make this a highly recommended read.
#KaKîwehNikamôstamâtinân #NetGalley
#KaKîwehNikamôstamâtinân #NetGalley
December 9, 2017
A wonderful ode to new baby and family.
June 21, 2018
I have enjoyed what little I have read from Richard Van Camp before, and I always love Julie Flett's illustrations. I wasn't surprised to find such a cute and charming story.
The illustrations were easily my favourite thing about this book, but they weren't the only good thing. The story is the perfect kind to read to babies and toddlers, with that lovely parental love sort of message to it. There was such sweet and genuine affection that it was hard not to smile.
Recommended for anyone looking for a good board book or a good story to express love to a little one.
The illustrations were easily my favourite thing about this book, but they weren't the only good thing. The story is the perfect kind to read to babies and toddlers, with that lovely parental love sort of message to it. There was such sweet and genuine affection that it was hard not to smile.
Recommended for anyone looking for a good board book or a good story to express love to a little one.
November 16, 2020
4.5 stars. This picture book was incredibly heart-warming and would be an amazing gift to any new family. The only area that brought it down a tiny bit for me, was how small some of the illustrations were and that the color was a little bland at times.
November 4, 2020
The happiness and joy parents feel when they have a child. Beautiful text and beautiful illustrations.
November 3, 2021
Welp. This is just the most precious thing I've ever read. It's also really deep and joyous, and the art and simple language go hand-in-hand to make something really transcendent. Can't wait for this come out so I can recommend it to people looking for the perfect gift for new parents/welcoming a new baby.
December 31, 2018
This book is absolutely breathtaking! My children are currently 16 and 12, but I still feel the way shown in the book about them. They are miracles. We dreamed and wished for them. I love how this book is dual language, and although I cannot speak Cree, it looks so lovely. This is another "baby shower" or baby gift book that will be given to friends and loved ones. I think it will even make a good library or classroom addition, because of how much love is shown in it, and our students need that so desperately.
April 23, 2022
Adding this to my "auto-buy" for baby shower/new baby gifts! ❤️
December 16, 2017
diverse picture book (a board book for parents welcoming a new baby; families; parental love for their child)
* Prominently features diverse characters: beautiful illustrations depict medium-dark skinned families with straight black hair (could be identified as asian or First Nations or possibly Latinx). There are some spreads with just mom and baby, and other spreads with two parents--usually one with long hair that presents as female and one with short hair that could be interpreted as male or female, or somewhere else along the gender spectrum.
* this would not be my first choice for storytime, since the story is so quiet, but it could work for a baby storytime with pre-walkers. It's a more likely choice for a gift for two parents who are welcoming a new baby.
* Prominently features diverse characters: beautiful illustrations depict medium-dark skinned families with straight black hair (could be identified as asian or First Nations or possibly Latinx). There are some spreads with just mom and baby, and other spreads with two parents--usually one with long hair that presents as female and one with short hair that could be interpreted as male or female, or somewhere else along the gender spectrum.
* this would not be my first choice for storytime, since the story is so quiet, but it could work for a baby storytime with pre-walkers. It's a more likely choice for a gift for two parents who are welcoming a new baby.
September 7, 2022
This board book celebrates the joy the parents feel about having their child. Lovely illustrations by Julie Flett, from the Cree-Métis culture.
December 3, 2020
We Sang You Home is a book for early readers. It tells the story of parents hoping for the best for their newborn baby. It is such a happy, warm book to remind children that they are loved. I found this book Book Riot's 50 MUST-READ POETRY BOOKS FOR KIDS list.
I was able to find a recording of the story being read aloud on YouTube from Story Time with Bizzy Book Club. I love how the reader read this story with such a happy, nurturing tone. She even explained words students may be unfamiliar with, such as prayer.
We Sang You Home was published in 2016. This is a beautiful story that is accompanied by wonderful illustrations. It is perfect for preschool and kindergarten students. I think it is best for new parents to read with their children as well.
I was able to find a recording of the story being read aloud on YouTube from Story Time with Bizzy Book Club. I love how the reader read this story with such a happy, nurturing tone. She even explained words students may be unfamiliar with, such as prayer.
We Sang You Home was published in 2016. This is a beautiful story that is accompanied by wonderful illustrations. It is perfect for preschool and kindergarten students. I think it is best for new parents to read with their children as well.
February 19, 2017
Julie Flett's illustrations are as gorgeous as usual. Van Camp's text speaks to the special magic that a new baby brings. As much as I love this book, and I do, I'm not sure what age group this would be for. I can see parents reading it to their preschoolers, but I'm not sure this would have a place for K to grade 3 readers. As a possible choice for the chocolate lily award, I think it's too young.
July 7, 2017
What a beautiful book! This would make a wonderful gift for someone expecting a baby or for new parents. Kudos Richard for such a wonderful story! Kudos to Julie Flett, the Illustrator, for such beautiful pictures!
August 29, 2017
This text makes me really think. I'm not sure if I like it or not which is really interesting! I read it multiple times and am still not sure about it well. There are extra levels within the text. This is a poem to welcome a baby.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 4, 2016
This was weird to me... maybe I just don't get the "deep meaning" writing
January 7, 2017
Eh, it was a little mystical for my taste, but the illustrations were simple, engaging, and reasonably understable for very young minds.
February 10, 2017
Not rhyming, which is why I'm surprised I enjoyed it so much. A little less sugar-sweet than usual take on being glad your baby is yours.
March 9, 2017
Beautiful story and illustrations; Great for snuggling baby; Representation of a modern native family
March 21, 2017
This beautiful book reads like a song. The illustrations fill your mind with joy. I read this every night to my little one and we enjoy celebrating the life of welcoming him to our family!
June 11, 2017
This is a gentle lullaby story to be shared with the young and old. The pictures are poetic as well.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 114 reviews