Where Did You Come from, Baby Dear?

by George MacDonald

A perfect baby shower gift from a bestselling and beloved artist known for capturing the special moments of family life.

Where did you get those eyes so blue?
What makes the light in them sparkle and spin?
What makes your forehead so smooth and high?

The questions new parents ask as they look in amazement on their just-born child are celebrated and fancifully answered in this inspirational poem, brought for the first time to picture-book life.

George MacDonald's lovely ode to newborn babies is beautifully animated in soft colored pencil by a treasure of the children's book world, Jane Dyer. Feauturing a diverse cast of newborns, this classic, moving, and lightly spiritual poem marvels at the miracle of new life.

Genres: Picture Books, Religion, Childrens

32 pages, Hardcover

Published August 14, 2018

About the author

George MacDonald was a Scottish author, poet and Christian Congregational minister. He became a pioneering figure in the field of modern fantasy literature and the mentor of fellow-writer Lewis Carroll. In addition to his fairy tales, MacDonald wrote several works of Christian theology, including several collections of sermons.

Reviews

[Becky · Rating 5 out of 5]

First sentence:

Where did you come from, baby dear?
Out of the everywhere into the here.
Where did you get those eyes so blue?
Out of the sky as I came through.

Jane Dyer has newly illustrated and adapted George MacDonald's classic poem "Where Did You Come From, Baby Dear?" You may read the full poem here.

George MacDonald was a British fantasy writer and a minister (1824-1905). His poem is "lightly spiritual" according to the publisher, Random House. I would agree with the assessment. God is mentioned a handful of times as are angels. It is not meant to be a theological work by any stretch of the imagination.

The book celebrates babies. It is cute, sweet, adorable, lovely, delightful, charming. I love the illustrations by Jane Dyer.

My favorite lines:

How did they all just come to be you?
God thought about me, and so I grew.
But how did you come to us, you dear?
God thought about you, and so I am here.

[Cindy Mitchell *Kiss the Book* · Rating 3 out of 5]

Where Did You Come From, Baby Dear? by George MacDonald, Illustrated by JaneDyer. PICTURE BOOK. Random House . 2018. $18.00. 9780553509199

BUYING ADVISORY: GIFT - ADVISABLE

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH

This book is an illustrated poem about where babies come from –turns it very mysterious and religious. The illustrations are soft and muted.

I was hoping this was a bit more realistic, seeing as how I am currently expecting and it’s a lot of work –the baby is certainly not falling gently from the clouds to be placed in my arms. I don’t expect to read a super realistic book to a youngster about conception, but this was a bit off putting for me at this moment in time. The vocabulary in the poem would be confusing to a young reader/listener. Some of the illustrations are just darling and some kind of creep me out. This would book would function better as a gift from a fan of the poem to a religious parent.

Reviewer: Stephanie MLS & Author.
https://kissthebookjr.blogspot.com/20...

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

A British minister's ruminations on the wonders and origins of babies is given new life with soft illustrations and a whimsical interpretation of those classic lines. Readers will be delighted to see the little ones floating through the sky, passing alongside clouds, being embraced by angels before landing amid a host of adoring family members and friends. The use of colorful images on the left hand side of the page and blues for the right hand side makes it clear what is reality and what is imagined. This title might be good for sharing with little ones who are just learning to pay attention to read alouds or who express curiosity about their origins, and it certainly is an ideal baby shower gift. Adults, especially new or expectant parents, are more likely to enjoy it even more than youngsters.

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

a sweet poem and ode to new babies!

[Miss Sarah · Rating 2 out of 5]

A lovely and calming book about the creation of children. Cute ending. Toddler and up

[Kimberly · Rating 2 out of 5]

A bit too sticky sweet for me.

[Judy Ripke · Rating 3 out of 5]

The pictures are beautiful. The text is mysterious, with a little religion thrown in at the end.

[Paula · Rating 3 out of 5]

A beautiful shower gift for a religious moms-to- be.

[Danette · Rating 4 out of 5]

10/28/20 Read with Julia

[Jennybug · Rating 3 out of 5]

Old poetry…
With lovely art work.