It Had to Be You: A High Contrast Book For Newborns

by Loryn Brantz

This sweet and playful board book features bold, high-contrast black-and-white illustrations that babies can actually see! In simple, beautiful verse, bestselling Feminist Baby creator and two-time Emmy Award winner Loryn Brantz narrates the journey that parents take to have their perfect little one. New York magazine's The Strategist chose It Had to Be You as one of the "Best (Nonobvious) Baby Books to Bring to a Shower." As The Strategist " Because of its high-contrast color scheme (with red accents), it’s easy for babies to see the illustrations. Plus, the lyrical text is a love poem to the child that’s as soothing and sweet as a lullaby." With lyrical text from parent to baby, It Had to Be You is perfect for fans of  I’ve Loved You Since Forever  and  Guess How Much I Love You. A must-have addition to every baby’s nursery and a perfect gift for baby showers, Mother’s Day, and Father’s Day. For every one of our wishes, for every bump along the way, now that you’re here, we’ve known all along...it had to be YOU!

Genres: Childrens, Picture Books, Love, Family, Art

22 pages, Board Book

Published December 14, 2021

About the author

Loryn Brantz is an Emmy Award–winning author, artist, poet, and director. She is the creator of numerous beloved children’s books, including the best-selling series Feminist Baby and It Had to Be You (Love Poems Your Baby Can See). Her work can be seen on Sesame Street, Elmo's World, Ms. Rachel, and more. Her latest book, Poems of Parenting, is a New York Times bestseller.

Her greatest desire is to make the world a better place through art, even if just a little — but hopefully, a lot. Loryn lives in New York City with her husband, architect Jake J. Brotter, and children, Dalia and Ronen.

Reviews

[Loryn Brantz · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is my completely unbiased opinion that this love poem for my sweet baby is five stars :P

[Ella Tucker · Rating 5 out of 5]

have yet to read this book out loud without crying 🥲

[Tessa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first book that my baby ever actually paid attention to, due to the high-contrast pictures. Now we read it every night before bed :)

[Anna · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorite high contrast books. Beautifully simple, but conveys all the emotions first time parents want their children to know. Obviously a newborn/infant can't understand, but the parents do. And the pictures are high contrast enough to capture the attention of a newborn.

[Catherine Nipps · Rating 5 out of 5]

Izzy's first book ❤️

[Rachel | The Tea Cup Half Full · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you’re a parent or pregnant or know someone, this book is beautiful and will make you cry. @lorynbrantz wrote and illustrated this wondrous little book to read to our littles.

You are probably familiar with Brantz’s comics, but she recently opened up about her and her partner’s struggles with infertility and how they now have a beautiful little girl. Her story makes this book even more touching!

[Lynn Plourde · Rating 5 out of 5]

A black & white contrast book for babies, who can see black and white before they can see colors. Although, this book also uses a little red (not sure if babies can see that color). It has a sweet story that will engage parent's interest more than most black and white photos for babies, which tend to only have images and no story. This story tells about the baby being the only one, the perfect one for these parents. "Of all the tiny toes we could be tickling, it had to be these."

[Valleri · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wishing upon a star, wishing for a child...so many people can relate to the desire to have a happy, healthy baby to hold and this book puts all that love into every page. Set in black, red, and white for newborns to easily see, this book is a wonderful way to snuggle a beloved baby while reading, strengthening their bond.

[Nicole Hendricks · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the concept of poetry being turned into children's books. The illustrations are lovely, simple, and caught baby's eye. The text alternates in colors, which is visually appealing to parents and baby. The message is very sweet. Many lines can be acted out with baby adding another layer of interaction.

[Rosie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was gifted to my baby girl when she was 5 days old. I was freshly postpartum and a hormonal mess, so I cried VERY hard the first time I read it. And then the time after that. And after that. It’s so wonderful, beautiful, and extremely engaging for a newborn baby.

(This book was gifted to Rosie by mum’s friend, Chloe. 🤍)

[Miranda · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's really sweet, and I love the art. I hope Bug enjoys looking at it once I show him!

Isaac's visual interest 👀 (3 is top): untested 

How good it is as a book for me to read aloud while breastfeeding 🍼 (3 is top): 🍼🍼🍼

[Liz · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great high contrast book for newborns. It celebrates the arrival of a baby to a home. Not necessarily for a 1st baby or younger sibling, just any baby. So, good for showers too. Got me teary-eyed in those early days.

[Hazy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short & sweet. Brought a tear to my eye when I first read it. Purchased for my friends to read to their first baby.q

[Jules · Rating 3 out of 5]

The visuals are great for newborns <3 I had trouble though finding a rhythm reading it though but I'm sure that's more me having a preference towards kids books that a rhyme.

[Leslie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sweet story for new parents! This would be a great shower gift.

[Bruce Brotter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Always love her work! Just the best messages along with the most beautiful illustrations! The message in this book is wonderfully universal and so poignantly personal at the same time.

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ellie really likes this one!

[MP | young adult library · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet words & nice high-contrast art for the littlest little ones. ♥️

[Reneen Khan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Poignant. Got it today and read it before the baby could get to it haha.

[Becca · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a bite-sized board book for little eyes of little ones about just how much they belong in their new families, and just how loved they are.

[Carrie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sweet book with the high contrast pictures for babies. Book also goes well for adoptive families!

[Andrés · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet, nuanced sentiment about welcoming the baby home after a long journey. Will be engaging even for newborns with black/white/red palette.

[Sunnyskiesbrighteyes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Once I read a baby book 50 times I’m adding it to my good reads lol. My little one LOVES this book. The black and white is especially appealing but the story is also adorable

[Kate M. Colby · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jack borrowed this book from the Ashland Public Library.

He is a bit old for it, but it was too sweet for Mama to pass up.

[Deana · Rating 3 out of 5]

Searching for a book to give as a baby shower gift. This isn't it.

[Leslie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amelia liked the red in this one; the words made me misty eyed. 10/10

[Meagan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Made me cry reading this to my little girl 😭 postpartum hormones are real but also this is such a precious little book.

[Ben Sommers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Me sobbing as we read this to our son in the NICU 🥹♥️

[Callie Blakley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book in our library to my 5.5 month old daughter and it had me choking and tearing up. Such a sweet book! ❤️

[Levi M · Rating 5 out of 5]

The cutest black and white book for newborns! Get a box of tissues ready!