Loretta's Gift

by Pat Zietlow Miller, Alea Marley (Illustrator)

Meet a little girl named Loretta who tries to find the perfect gift for her new baby cousin in this sweet picture book by bestselling author Pat Zietlow Miller!

Loretta and her parents are so excited that Aunt Esme and Uncle Jax are having a baby! When Gabe arrives, Loretta thinks he is the best baby on the block! Everyone showers him with gifts, but Loretta doesn't know what to give. Can she think of the perfect gift for her baby cousin?

Genres: Picture Books, Family, Childrens, Fiction, Realistic Fiction, Storytime, Love

40 pages, Hardcover

First published August 14, 2018

About the author

Pat Zietlow Miller knew she wanted to be a writer ever since her seventh-grade English teacher read her paper about square-dancing skirts out loud in class and said: “This is the first time anything a student has written has given me chills.” (Thanks, Mrs. Mueller! You rock!)

Pat started out as a newspaper reporter and wrote about everything from dartball and deer-hunting to diets and decoupage. Then, she joined an insurance company and edited its newsletter and magazine.

Now, she writes insurance information by day and children’s books by night. She has 11 picture books available and 12 more that will be coming out in the next few years.

Her books in print are: SOPHIE’S SQUASH, WHEREVER YOU GO, SHARING THE BREAD, THE QUICKEST KID IN CLARKSVILLE, SOPHIE'S SQUASH GO TO SCHOOL, WIDE-AWAKE BEAR, LORETTA'S GIFT, BE KIND, REMARKABLY YOU, MY BROTHER THE DUCK and WHEN YOU ARE BRAVE.

Pat has one wonderful husband, two delightful daughters and two pampered cats. She doesn’t watch much TV, but she does love "Chopped." Pat lives in Madison, Wisconsin.

Reviews

[Chance Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stunning artwork accompanies a lovely story about a girl getting to know her baby cousin. The art is so colorful and gentle and cute I can't stand it.

[Tatiana · Rating 4 out of 5]

It might be the thought that counts, but you still want to pick the best gift possible! That's Loretta's dilemma when she finds out a new cousin is on the way. When you're little yourself, though, you don't have much to offer. Then cousin Gabe is born and Loretta spends a lot of time with him...and maybe that's the best present of all.

This is a sweet story with adorable illustrations. It shows that gifts come in different forms, including quality time. A good read-aloud for primary grades.

[Becky · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another giveaway from
Pat Zietlow Miller-this also also happens to be her newest book.

Loretta is so excited about her new cousin’s arrival but she has no gift to give when he is born. Fast forward to her cousin’s 1st birthday and she still has no gift. In the end, she realizes that a physical gift isn’t important but the love she has is the best gift of all. Doesn’t that make your ❤️ melt?!?!

[Jana · Rating 5 out of 5]

With bright, beautiful illustrations and a plot young readers will be able to relate to, this would be a great story to share with anyone who has a new baby in the family. Welcoming new babies into families can be stressful for young children. Loretta sees everyone piling up gifts for her baby cousin, but she is worried that she can't afford to buy a gift or make one that would be appreciated. But as she realizes that the baby loves her for her and isn't interested in all the other stuff she also realizes what's most important in families. This is a heartwarming story that would be great as a read aloud that all children will recognize themselves in.

[Steph · Rating 5 out of 5]

Picture books that reinforce the value of giving love rather than presents are always the best. Generosity with your time, your energy, your love and concern make healthy loving relationships. These are the kind of pictures books that adults love to share with children.

[B. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lovely artwork and heart-warming story of a child getting to know and love her baby cousin. The basic premise of 'kid wants to give cousin a gift but can't think of anything and parents say they don't need to give anything' wasn't compelling to me (kids can make things!), nor was the emphasis on the huge piles of gifts throughout the book. That said, the relationship between the two kids is touching and the faces show a range of emotions for good conversation with kids.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

A book for every family with a new baby or a new baby 'friend'. It's hard for children to choose a gift for a baby and young Loretta is having a tough time. Everyone else seems to know just what to choose, before the baby, after baby Gabe is born, all the months up to him celebrating his first birthday. Bright and colorful illustrations show a happy family welcoming a baby with lots of gifts, with Loretta trying hard and feeling bad that she still hasn't given one. Finally, when she cares for Gabe after a fall, Aunt Esme reminds Loretta that she is the best gift "the best baby on the block" has received ever. Happy ending.

[Serenity · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loretta's gift is a very sweet picture book about a young girl who learns that not all gifts come wrapped in paper. Loretta is so excited when her cousin Gabe is born, but she feels bad she has no gift for him. As he grows she becomes a wonderful big cousin, making him smile and feeding him mashed bananas. On his first birthday, she still feels bad she has no gift, but she finds the perfect gift before the party is over.

[Melanie Hetrick · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loretta, a young black girl, is excited for the birth of her cousin. But as she watches the gifts for the baby pile up, she realizes she doesn't have a gift. She loves caring for the baby and making him laugh. As his first birthday rolls around, Loretta is again concerned that she still does not have a gift for him. But when he starts fussing during his birthday party, Loretta knows just what to do.

A lovely book for families introducing new babies into the family.

[Amber Webb · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loretta's Gift is such a sweet, sweet story of a child looking for just the perfect gift to give to a new baby. The message is beautiful and endearing and will last a lifetime. This is a perfect gift book for new siblings and to read over and over again.

[Sandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

A little didactic, but still so adorable. The illustrations are simple but expressive, you really want to give Loretta a hug when she looks sad!

(And trying to make the perfect gift but only making a mess, I can so relate!)

[Molly Cluff (Library!) · Rating 5 out of 5]

This deals with a baby nephew rather than a younger sibling, but is still a good book for introducing the idea of a new baby. I love the positive relationship between Loretta and the baby, and how she wants to give him the best gift she can.

[Miss Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

A one on one or elementary read about a young girl getting a new baby cousin. She wants to get him a gift like everyone else but can't seem to find the perfect one. Love the diversity and the slow build to the end result

[Alyssa Gudenburr · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love IS the best gift!!!! A beautiful story about a little girl who can't find the perfect gift for her new baby cousin. Then she realizes her love is the best gift. This story is on the longer side and would be better for a lower elementary read loud.

[Viviane Elbee · Rating 5 out of 5]

In a sweet twist on the new baby book, this time, the new baby is Loretta's little cousin. She notices that everyone is bringing the new baby gifts, and she wants to bring one too, but she can't seem to find any good ideas.
It's a very cute book, with plenty of love.

[Brandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A modern twist on welcoming a new baby and Loretta's search for the perfect gift.

[Kathleen Doherty · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the gentle message of this book: Sometimes the best gift to give cannot be put in a box and wrapped with a ribbon.

[Bookjeannnie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great baby shower gift. Or a gift for the cousins when new babies arrive.

[KC · Rating 5 out of 5]

After Loretta's baby cousin is born, she discovers the perfect gift she is able to give him is one that is not wrapped.

[Nicole (book.quill) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very cute story about how gifts are not always tangible. I enjoy that it features a young POC and that her family is mixed as well. Another step forward in diversity in picture books.

[Wendy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet story with a lovely message

[Kelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Loretta's aunt and uncle are expecting a baby. Everyone is showering them with gifts, but little Loretta doesn't have a gift to give to them or the baby.

It's a nice story.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sweet story.

[Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

ALL THE CUTE. Sweet book for pre-K and up about the love a family shares.

[Jaime · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great reminder that material gifts aren’t always the best gifts. We each bring something unique to the world.

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gifts aren't always things

[Cecilia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a very sweet idea for a picture book with an important lesson: gifts don't have to be tangible things.

[Emma · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is so darn lovely and charming. The illustrations are also so very beautiful. Will pass this on to friends to also enjoy.

[Lisa Boyd · Rating 4 out of 5]

love the illustrations in this and the perspective of a young girl wanting to be helpful when her nephew is born. Very good possible gift or storytime about babies or maybe helping

[Stacie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loretta learns that babies need lots of stuff but mostly love.