You Were the First

Editorial Reviews From School Library Journal K-Gr 1–Told in second person, this picture book pays tribute to the significance of the moments with a baby from its very first night home

“You were the first…

You were the first to sleep in the basket with the yellow ribbon wound round

You were the first to cry

You were the first to smile

Simple, poignant lines allow plenty of room for the warm illustrations done in graphite pencil and ink to bring readers into the joyful home of this young family

Each page is full of telling details for children to notice while conveying emotion that will resonate strongly with parents

The baby grows a little with every page turn in this book of firsts–lifting his head, and then crawling, walking, and running–bringing readers to the powerful line in the text: 'You were the first to teach us how to be parents'

The book closes with that yellow-ribboned basket again while suggesting a possible second child, but promising that this baby will always be the first

A touching celebration for firstborns

–Julie Roach, Cambridge Public Library, MAα(c) Copyright 2013

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From Booklist *Starred Review* Usually books about sibling jealousy over a new baby focus on the interloper

This sweet story reminds firstborns they will always have pride of place

The cover—an Asian mom and a Caucasian dad smile at their baby and dog lying together on a quilt—is representative of many adorable pictures to come

The text is directed to the child and tells of his many firsts: You were the first to cry / You were the first to smile

As the story moves forward, the child becomes a little older in each spread

The tiny baby is soon crawling and blowing kisses at the dog

Later, he crawls, toddles at the beach, catches leaves, and makes snow angels

When spring comes, he is the first to dig in the garden

He is also the first to teach us how to be parents

And though one day there may be a second or third child, he is reassured that You will always be the first

In some ways, of course, this is really for parents looking for a reassuring way to talk about family additions

Preschool --Ilene Cooper

New parents will appreciate this tender celebration of the parent-first baby bond that grows as fast as the little one does

A touching celebration for firstborns --School Library Journal

Praise for Who Loves Me?:

MacLachlan's cozy, comforting dialogue meanders like a song. A warm and lyrical selection --School Library Journal

Praise for Painting the Wind:

The prose flows with the relaxed rhythms of summer. Evocative descriptions bring life and individuality to each artist --School Library Journal

About the Author Patricia Maclachlan is the author of many beloved children's books, including Sarah, Plain and Tall, which won the Newbery Medal in 1986, several other bestselling books in the Sarah series, and picture books including All the Places to Love, What You Know First, Your Moon, My Moon, and Before You Came, co-authored with her daughter. A board member of the National Children's Book and Literacy Alliance, she lives with her husband in Massachusetts. They have five grandchildren-all of whom are firsts in her heart

Stephanie Graegin is the illustrator of Don't Feed the Baby, Water in the Park, Happy Birthday, Bunny! and several other books. She studied fine arts at the Maryland Institute College of Art and went on to attend the Pratt Institute, where she received a master of fine arts in printmaking. She lives in Brooklyn, New York. You can visit her online at www.graegin.com