The Book of Gifts

by Lucy Claire Dunbar

Sometimes we all need a gift to help us through our life, or even just through the day.

A chance to stop. Take a breath. Listen to your heart.

That is the promise in The Book of Gifts – Lucy Dunbar’s touching, beautiful, warm hearted and, above all, hopeful collection of pictures, thoughts and inspirations.

If you need courage, hope or love, find it here.

If you’re facing loss or sadness, find comfort in these pages.

Give it to your friend, your partner, a parent or a child – or just give it to yourself.

The Book of Gifts is a book we cannot do without.

It is for anyone, and everyone.

It is for all of us.

Genres: Nonfiction, Mental Health, Graphic Novels, Inspirational

160 pages, Hardcover

First published November 1, 2024

Reviews

[Lisa Shepherd · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a beautifully written and illustrated book. An absolute treasure, to be so young and create something like this the author has clearly experienced an awful lot. Would highly recommend.

[benita · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Book of Gifts is a beautiful book about motivational and hopeful quotes along with illustrations which are just as beautiful (and fitting to the text). Can’t wait to gift this as a Christmas present to my mom. Hope she likes it as much as I do💖

Happy reading!♥️

[Anna Bananna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely stunning illustrations with beautifully written captions, a real heart warmer. I received this for Christmas and definitely will be passing this book on to light up someone else's life.

[Nrlhakimin · Rating 5 out of 5]

“𝒮𝑜𝓂𝑒𝓉𝒾𝓂𝑒𝓈 𝓁𝑒𝓉𝓉𝒾𝓃𝑔 𝑔𝑜 𝒾𝓈 𝓉𝒽𝑒 𝓂𝑜𝓈𝓉 𝓁𝑜𝓋𝒾𝓃𝑔 𝓉𝒽𝒾𝓃𝑔 𝓉𝑜 𝒹𝑜..”
I learnt this the hard way. Being reminded of this by the book brought back so many memories. I’m proud of myself for learning and growing through it. It wasn’t an easy path.. but the storm passed Alhamdulillah.. and now my view is clearer than ever.

This book is so simple yet so meaningful. The artwork is beautiful and soothing, like a warm hug from a friend. It’s full of gentle reminders about hope, courage, and love. These are the kind of things that make you stop and reflect but sadly they are also the things we often forget to appreciate in the rush of daily life.

As I sat in the park surrounded by nature with the wind blowing gently, flipping through the pages with my boys, I couldn’t help but feel grateful. It was one of those moments where everything felt just right. 🥹✨

If you’re looking for something comforting and inspiring, this book is perfect. It’s a gift, just like those precious moments we get to share with the people we love. 💖

Thank you @times.reads and @putrifariza for gifting me The Book of Gifts by Lucy Claire Dunbar 🍃🌹

[Natalie Liddle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely beautiful book.
Really moving. Beautifully illustrated and such lovely words. Very soothing and a book I will for sure dip into a lot.
Wanted this for ages and I’m so glad I have it.
Lucy’s strength and resilience shines through the pages and when I read her story I was moved to tears.
Thank you for sharing. This truly is a wonderful book.

[TheSalmaZ · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this sooo much! A perfect gift for someone special and the illustrations were just so sweet.

[Cherlynn | cherreading · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5⭐

Whimsical and beautifully illustrated, this is indeed a book of gifts with plenty to offer.

I appreciate the author's raw honesty in sharing her experiences and love the way she approaches life. My favourite section is the one about memories and I love how the book ends with hope. I would have preferred more original text instead of recirculated quotes that can be found everywhere online, but the illustrations are seriously stunning!

Lovely read that feels like a warm hug ❤️

[Samantha Ruth Lai · Rating 3 out of 5]

HELLO PICTURE BOOK REVIEW!!!! but one that i had in my HANDSSSS AND one that i OWNNNN!! bc mel bought it for me omg so sweet legits, can't believe i persuaded her to see that picture books are actually what's up HAHAH think she is the first person that i hv ever convinced of this from my picture book reviews bc actually no one takes me seriously ah... i know it.. you reading this rn.... 👁️👁️ // she got this for me to bring over to exchange but i must admit it is a bit heavy and big and the luggage space was mega limited bc i am insistent on being a light packer all the time SOOO i read it the night before my flight!! hehe // loved being able to look at the pics right in front of my eyes in my hands rather than through a page and i greatly appreciated that so YAY! BEAUTIFULLLL :-) // was just a v light book also but tbh reading the author statement and all made me think about how this was such an impt book for HER to write and to illustrate and all like... sometimes we write to save ourselves... and i kinda felt that with this book :' that it is ok if the only person that you save at the end of the day is yourself as well! // ok super sweet super cute and one of the few picture books that i actually own altho i am a v vocal fan of them HAHHA :P // thank you mel!!!

[Steffi Kohl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Berührt
Die Leseprobe zu Lucy Claire Dunbars Büchlein war sehr knapp bemessen, daher war es schwierig , ein Urteil abzugeben. Da ich die Autorin aber aus dem Internet kenne , vertraute ich meinem ersten Eindruck, und der hat mich nicht enttäuscht.
Gestalterisch finde ich die „Handschrift“ sehr persönlich und beruhigend, sie zwingt den Leser aber auch dazu , sich ihr ganz zu widmen und sich zeit zu nehmen. Eine geniale Idee.
Das Buch umgibt eine gewisse Magie, die mich voll ins Herz trifft. Durch die liebevolle Gestaltung der Illustrationen wird das noch unterstützt .
Die wunderbaren Texte und Bilder sind in verschiedene Themen geordnet ; Liebe, Freundschaft, Dankbarkeit, Mut, Erinnerungen, Freundlichkeit, Selbstliebe und Hoffnung.
Die Autorin Lucy Claire Dunbar hat selbst in ihrem Alter schon eine menge erlebt und sie hält uns an , jeden Tag als etwas Besonderes wahrzunehmen- als eine Geschenk. Ein Geschenk , das wir uns selbst machen können , wenn wir jeden Tag bewusst und dankbar erleben . Dazu müssen wir unseren eigenen Weg finden ; Lucy Claire Dunbar kann uns lediglich ihre Sprüche in die Hand geben. Also nehmen wir dieses Geschenk an!

[theirishbooklover]

Beautiful, Meaningful, Important.

This is a gorgeous, beautiful hardback book. I know, I know it's only August but I have to say it. This book would make a lovely Christmas gift.

I dipped in and out of this book which made it last much longer. It has pride of place as the first book on my keep forever bookshelf. It is divided up into sections which is helpful for having a reflective day and wanting to be inspired.

The artist/artist really inspires in both the images drawn, the words of wisdom and advice. There is something for everyone between the pages of the book. The author also has a gorgeous insta page with inspiring words and beautiful drawings posted.

Thank you to the author, publisher and Penguin Books Ireland for a #gifted copy of the book. All views and reviews are my own as always.

[Tea Leaves and Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

A blend of illustration style of The Snowman with Charlie Mackey's messaging and work woven in, The Book of Gifts celebrates the best bits of the world around us in a style that is completely unique and special to Lucy Claire. It's full of beautifully hand-illustrated works of art, inspired by events or people that most of us know of or have heard about. It's both inspiring and reassuring and can be opened on any page and there will most certainly be something that will comfort or bring hope to the reader. Cosy imagery, beautiful words, it serves as a reminder of the magnitude of our words, the world, and our actions.

[Miriam Morgans · Rating 5 out of 5]

𝕋𝕙𝕖 𝔹𝕠𝕠𝕜 𝕠𝕗 𝔾𝕚𝕗𝕥𝕤
By Lucy Claire Dunbar @lucyclaireillustration

This book is just stunning. It's full of beautiful illustrations and inspirational quotes.

I gifted this book to myself this Christmas as I knew it would be a book that would bring a huge smile to my face and warmth in my heart.

It truly is a book of gifts 🎁

Love ❤️
Friendship 🫶
Gratitude 🙏
Courage 🦁
Memories 📸
Self love 🥰
Hope 🌟

It's a book that should be gifted to everyone!

You are an inspiration, Lucy, after all you have been through. Thank you for sharing your gift of creativity 🙏 ❤️

It's a 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 from me! 🤓

[Isabella 🎀 · Rating 5 out of 5]

I usually don’t write book reviews but this book truly deserved one. I have been at a standstill for over a year now, unsure what to do with life, unsure which steps to take next. This is the first book I have read in about a year as my depression led me into a slump. This book was so worth it. Day by day, I know that it can get better. Whether you are young or old, this book is for you! To tell the truth I could barely read the first few pages because I was crying before I even opened the book. If you are going to read one book in your life, it should be this.

[Emma Minazza · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a fab book! Full of gorgeous illustrations, I really liked reading the quotes from each chapter and they make you embrace the here and now rather than dwell on the past or or what is to come.

This was given to me as a gift and I appreciate the thought as the chapters are relevant to me and anyone who sometimes struggles with life. As one of the quotes say, a storm doesn't last forever, brighter days are coming.

[iamjacsmusings · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bought by my soulful partner on day of release, Instagram big deal Dunbar's book of positive affirmation pictures plus declarative ditties is full of pieces somewhere between E.H. Shepard and Raymond Briggs. 

Expect to see these adorning greeting cards or hospital walls absent a motivational poster near you in the near future.

[Tatty · Rating 5 out of 5]

Utterly beautiful & magical.
Totally sobbed reading this. Felt like a warm hug in a book. Given to me by Willa for my 21st birthday present and read the evening after, of a long day of overthinking and feeling a bit flat. Just the most comforting read ever. The pages about gratitude and friendship made me weep. I CANNOT TAKE THINGS FOR GRANTED. I AM SO LUCKY.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a beautiful book from a beautiful soul. I have been following Lucy on Instagram for a while and her drawings and sayings always speak to me. I have recently had a lot of loss in my life and knew this book would help me work through many of the challenges of grief and it did! Thank you Lucy for sharing your story and your art work with the world…you make it a brighter place ✨

[Aman Negi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Again a warm fuzzy book which is timeless and can be read across all age groups from any page and at any point in time. The thoughts shared are very simple yet we kind of forget them rushing through our lives - this book could help one break from it.

A friend gifted it and I am glad for it cause I wouldn't have picked it up on my own and missed out on this.

[Anastasia Mead · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an absolute wonder of a book. The 20 minutes or so I spent reading this and marvelling at the pictures is the best time I have spent lately. A lot of it really resonated with me, and gave some great ideas to be kinder to myself. Would recommend to anyone.

[Bethany · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful! Lovely watercolour illustrations and uplifting messages. Inspiring that the author fully lost her sight and had it restored, and chose from then on to create art on all the gifts that she could see. Just lovely

[Gracie Chammas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Clucyclaireillustration made the cutest book. I can't express how much l've loved reading each ilustration, it's like it has all the inspiration for different occasions in our lives, definitely will be re reading this again when I need uplifting during some heavy times in life

[Jaskaran Kaur · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved the book except a few grammatical errors here and there. That did not take away from the book at all. It made me smile on every page. The illustrations and the words are beautiful and really filled my heart with love and smile.

[Moyra Duckmanton · Rating 5 out of 5]

A gift to me from a dear friend. It is a book that you can dip in and out of, or read from page to page.
Some wise words that we all need to read on days when we are finding life a bit challenging. These wise words are accompanied by beautiful illustrations.
A perfect gift for anybody.

[Natasha · Rating 5 out of 5]

This cheered me up so much when it arrived in the post a surprise gift from a lovely person. Lots of little inspiring, uplifting, heartwarming quotes, passages accompanied by beautiful illustrations. One of those lovely gifts that is more than a "book".

[Heather Dearie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I got this for Christmas from a friend who’s more like my sister and what a beautiful gift it is 🥺💜

Beautifully worded, lovely illustration and a reminder that the best gifts in life aren’t things that can be bought with money.

Thank you Twinny 💜 xxx

[Mary Clouse · Rating 5 out of 5]

Charming, uplifting and inspirational. The sketches are just beautiful and you can feel the author’s heart and presence in every page.

[Ushnav Shroff · Rating 4 out of 5]

So, so wise. I love hope and the importance of perseverance in life.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Don’t let the worry of tomorrow make you miss out on the gift of today. – Lucy Claire Dunbar, The Book of Gifts

How Lucy Claire Dunbar’s artwork found its way into my Instagram feed, I do not know but I’m thankful for that bit of algorithm that brought me the treasure of her work. Her artwork is colorful, whimsical, uplifting, and warm. When paired with her words in The Book of Gifts, readers are gifted over 150 pages of beauty, comfort, and hope. This is a book that is worthy of gifting to everyone you know.

** Note: Lucy has said on her Instagram that it will publish in the US in 2025. So, until then, if you live stateside, you will have to purchase from Penguin House UK or a bookstore with access to UK publications.

[Nisha Patel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful illustrations and lovely meaningful quotes.

[LudmilaM · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 stars. Uplifting affirmations for though and sad times.