On the Night You Were Born 

Nancy Tillman

©2005 Feiwel & Friends

32 Pages

Poetry

            This is truly a book for all ages to read and enjoy. I remember reading the book and crying. The words seem to dance on the page like the author says the polar bears were up all night dancing for you. The spirit of this book to me shows just how special we all truly are. God made us different for a reason, but in the book all of creation rejoices because you are different from any other person on this Earth. This book specializes in telling us in free verse poetry that life would never be the same with you, the reader.

            The illustrations are painted in watercolor and oils with some collage technique. The illustrations bring to life exactly what is being said on the page. Some pages take up the entire page while some have a lot of negative space.

            This book would be enjoyed by younger grades like kindergarten through third or fourth grade. The teacher could read this book when introducing free verse poetry to students. The book could as be used for character education in the form of self-importance. The students could write their own poems about someone special in their lives or the teacher could have them write about how they are special.

            This book was awarded the 2005-2006 Mom’s Choice Award for the Best Inspirational Children’s Book.

Check out the author's website and prints by this gifted illustrator. Click here.