Love is the greatest gift we have to give our children. It's the one thing they can carry with them each and every day.
If love could take shape it might look something like these heartfelt words and images from the inimitable Nancy Tillman. Here is a book to share with your loved ones, no matter how near or far, young or old, they are.
Nancy Tillman created her first book, "On the Night You Were Born," to convey to children at an early and impressionable age, "You are the one and only ever you." Since then, Nancy has written and illustrated several bestselling books. She also illustrated It's Time to Sleep, My Love, with Eric Metaxas. Together, Nancy's books have sold in the millions. A former advertising executive, Tillman now writes and illustrates full-time.
Whether she is creating books that remind children of their own unique wonder, or teaching life lessons through an accident prone cat named Tumford, all of Nancy's books feature one important message. You are loved. She lives in Tualatin, Oregon.
This is such a wonderful, beautiful, and touching book. It's a simple fast read and perfect to read with children. The illustrations combine real life like pictures with colorful backgrounds that are exquisite and artsy. I believe adults will cherish this one too.
The most heartfelt page for me reads, "And if someday you're lonely, or someday you're sad, or you strike out at baseball, or think you've been bad...just lift up your face, feel the wind in your hair. That's me, my sweet baby, my love is right there.
Six months ago, the day after my good friend passed away, I was at a bookstore with her five year old daughter, who believed her mother was just at the hospital. As I watched this sweet-heart play with some toy trains, my eyes were drawn to this book. I took it from the shelf and began to read. I couldn't think of a better message for this little girl than to keep laughing, loving, dancing, . . . all the while knowing that her mother still loved her and wasn't so far away. I bought the book immediately. Later, when this little girl was told that her mother was in heaven and wouldn't be coming back, she asked to see me. Her grandma drove her to my house right away. In her sweet, innocent voice she told me that her mommy had died. I pulled her into my arms, opened this book, and read. She smiled, told me that she liked the story, and asked me to read it again. (As if I could ever say no to her.) We talked about how she is the little girl in the story and that she will always have her mother's love. I reminded her that she may not be able to see her mommy, but her mommy will see her and love her forever.
This is a gorgeously illustrated, beautifully written book. I felt like it was written for my dear friend's daughter, but your child doesn't require a loved one in heaven to enjoy it. It may not have been written with that in mind, at all. It's a wonderful book and well worth owning.
Is it just me, or does that title sound like a threat? It's probably just me.
That aside, the rest of the book is just Hallmark card claptrap. I really don't understand why books like this exist. Or Hallmark cards, for that matter.
Such a lovely book to share with the little ones! The awesome illustrations and very warm words will give to any child wonderful moments before the sleep time. "I wanted you more than you ever will know so I sent love to follow wherever you go. It's high as you wish it. It's quick as an elf. You'll never outgrow it...it stretches itself!
So climb any mountain... climb up to the sky! My love will find you. My love can fly!
...
And if someday you're lonely, or someday you're sad, or you strike out at baseball, or think you've been bad...
just lift up your face, feel the wind in your hair. That's me, my sweet baby, my love is right there. ... My love is so high, and so wide and so deep, it's always right there, even when you're asleep.
So hold your head high and don't be afraid to march to the front of your own parade."
This book reminds me of Psalm 23:6 ("Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life..." NLT) and Ephesians 3:17-19 ("...to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge." NIV). I know that this book is referring to a parent's love for their child, but I would posit that our parental love is just a faint shadow of God's love for us.
Anyhow, the pictures are lovely and the text super sweet. Funny though, that I found the inscription most moving. Something about the author's dad's love pursuing her. Sweet.
Gag. I feel smothered in honey. Geez, if your kid doesn't already know how much you love them, a book isn't going to be convincing. *Maybe* you can give this to them when they're about to embark on independence, but they'd probably prefer a gift card to a grocery store.
Emotional words of wisdom for children as they grow and eventually leave the homestead. As a parent who will be empty nesting this fall... it brought tears to my eyes because I know they need to grow and have adventures, but the struggle is real for me to let them go. This title communicates what my heart feels... to know how great my love for them is; while they choose their paths. It's a book to tell them I will catch them with my love when paths become a struggle and they are not sure which way to go. My love will help them carry on and see how important they are... they are loved. They will always be loved, they are my children, my soul, my everything. I will begin my own new paths, but I will always stop at the fork in the road when my time is needed, when they ask...
I will be buying two copies of this book before my children head to college this fall. I will personalize them with a note and probably wrap them up, so they can open their gift of love after I leave them.
Thank you Nancy for the beautiful prose and lovely pictures.
Do not read this book in public, if you are like me, you will turn into a weepy mess.
For some unexplained reason now that my youngest is heading off to college, I am drawn to children’s books and the memories that we shared in reading them.
The beautiful cover of Wherever You Are drew me in – it is magical as are all the illustrations. I had no idea that the book was a poem from a parent to a child on how much they are loved and the dreams that we have for them as they venture into the world.
Very reminiscent of Robert Munsch and Sheila McGraw’s Love You Forever, this book brought up some many wonderful memories for me.
This book is a shelf keeper. You will find yourself reading it and weeping over it for years to come.
I loved the illustrations as much as I loved the words. An eloquent testament of a parent's love for their child.
This is apparently Ryder's new favorite as it is the one he grabs most frequently, before plopping down in my lap for his bedtime story. There is nothing that makes my heart happier than a boy who wants to sit in his Mama's lap with a good book before bed. <3
This is a truly beautifully written story about the incredible bond between a parent and child.
Someone raved about this book, saying it made them cry. Um, no, sorry. Please don't read this to children. It will confuse them. They will wonder why no one can find lost children, if this book is true. They will doubt stranger danger. It is overly sentimental and not appropriate. If you read it as a poem, as an allegory, maybe. Tell them you love them, over and over, but don't read this to them as a true thing.
10/5 Stars! OMGG, I picked this book up just to read it while in the line to buy groceries and to get another kid's review under my belt. It is called multitasking. I about started crying in the middle of the store and immediately put it into my cart for my son. Did I mention he is 26? This book is ageless. This book is powerful.
• This is a love story disguised as a book. • This a beautiful ode to children. Share it the children in your life to let them know they are well-loved and well-supported in all they do. • This would make a lovely gift for your child, grandchild, godchild, etc, on the occasion of their birth or any milestone in the early years. ===================================== Nancy Tillman's Wherever You Are is so much more than a book. It is a poem, a love song and a love letter from adult to child. Tillman's self-described mission is "to convey to children everywhere that they are loved." That is just what she did with this lovely picture book. The story of this book is simple, you are loved. That no matter where you go, my love will follow. Each spread contains a sentiment like that alongside an exquisite illustration of a young child with a different animal.
This is the type of book that is meant to be read together while cuddling, letting the children in your life know just how much they are cherished. There is a whole genre of books like this and they are so important. These books accomplish so many things. For instance, they give you loving time with your little one. They also allow young children to be comforted, which is just lovely in general, while also associating many warm feelings with the act of reading. Stories like these allow children to refer back to them as they age, and remember simple times in the warmth of your embrace. Sentimental? You bet! But not cloyingly so.
I have a new wave of spiritual awakening, Kundalini level, while reading Tillman's picture books. They evoke that never ending ever flowing sense of complete belonging, deepest humbleness and the essence of raw beauty of life. And I buy her books to my friends who are approaching their 40s because I need them to make friends with their inner child and deep wounds. This one is on grief and death acceptance, since my friend lost his mother at a very young age, and he told me that he has to find a way how to mourn her 20 years later, now that he feels fully ready to feel himself puzzle by emotional puzzle. And this little gem helps him immeasurably to cope with bereavement and his process. Tillman is just connected to the Light. Her work is the core of healing and it feels good in the most balanced and natural state of order.
This book is about a young child going on adventures and always knowing that wherever he/she is that their mothers love will find them. This child interacts with many different wild animals. I didn’t really like this book because the pictures didn’t go with what the author was trying to say. The pictures include the child interacting with different wild animals away from home. And that doesn’t really give comfort to a child. It is creative though. I would share this book with my children because I would like them to know that I love them no matter what. I may not like what they do, but I will always love them. I would not advise them to go and dance with a bear, because that would not end well.
I wept while reading this!! I cry easy any way, but I believe I might need a hanky every time I read this. The sentiments of this book touched my heart. Kohls is selling four different Nancy Tillman books for $5.00 right now. Such a good deal and the money goes to Kohls Cares which gives money to children's health and education initiatives. In the inside flap Nancy Tillman says, "You are loved" has always been my core message to children. What a wonderful message. So glad to add Tillman's books to my daughter's collection.
Nancy poetically tells her child with wonderfully illustration that no matter where you are my love will always find you. Although, it could be listed as a picture book, it is also full of rhyming, so this can be considered as one long piece of poetry perhaps. The gentleness of the ended neutral child gliding through he different activities and places will always be loved as the message goes through is very sweet. This would be a great book to share with younger kids, but I would imagine we could have this special book for all of our children.
This is a delightful book. Love the illustrations, perfect words. Has a magical feel to it. Will share with my grandchildren who arrive today and will leave in 3 weeks for Asia. I plan to read it aloud to them multiple times while they are here so they will remember my voice telling them my love follows them when they are far away. Just a perfect gift for young child. Barbara Anne Waite- Author Memoir "Elsie- Adventures of an Arizona Schoolteacher 1913-16"
Took in this short little story book today while digesting a good meal. It's basically about how much my parents love me and always will, so I was pretty into it and kept my eyes open. Good thing, too, because there are whimsical illustrations of kids doing crazy things like playing hide-and-seek with bunnies and picking apples with a giraffe! Overall, superb message. Really boosted my confidence. -M
This is the perfect gift to give your child whether young or old. The message is timeless and with your heartfelt inscription, will prove to be a precious heirloom. The writing is simple and memorable. The illustrations are delightful and unique. The title of the book expresses precisely the impression it leaves after turning the last page.
I'd give this book 10 stars. I love it! It makes me cry and I want to buy each of my boys (11 and 13) a copy and tell them "this is exactly how mama feels, keep it with you forever so you'll always know I love you."
Every new mother needs this book to read to her baby.
I originally bought a few of Nancy Tillman's books for my infant Nephew, to begin to share a love of books with him. Her words and incredible illustrations won my heart, I bought the books for myself too.
When this book came out, I knew I had to get it (along with her Christmas book). These, I'm keeping for myself, and will buy them for my nephew as he ages.
Some may know I lost my beloved Grandma back in April. There are not enough words to describe the pain I still feel to this day, especially during the Christmas Season.
As I read this book, my tears began to fall. By the end, I was sobbing. It's like Tillman wrote this book and my Grandma gave me the idea to buy it now. It expresses so dearly the love I shared with her, the love I know she still has for me.
Not only is this a very darling book for chilren--the pictures are stunning alone--but I think it is a good book for anyone who is missing a loved one, whether by distance or death. I am grateful that this book is now in my life. I'm not sure Tillman wrote this for people grieving a loved one's passing, but its simple eloquence it a reminder that we are always loved.
Personal response I think the book Wherever You Are My love Will Find You is a good book for kids to hear. They get to hear the message that they will always be loved no matter what they do. You will be loved when you are grown, is also told in the book. This is a good book for kids to hear, because it is so true.
Plot This book talks about how a child will always be loved, no matter what happens. The story goes through different things that could happen, and someone would still love and care for you. You will be loved even when you are all grown you will still be loved.
What my sisters had to say after I read Nora She liked the pictures in the story. Nora liked her big sister telling her a story. Luci She liked the pictures in the story. She also enjoyed me reading her the story.Luci would want to read the book again.
Recommendation I would recommend this book to little kids. They would be able to enjoy this book. Family members would enjoy reading this book to the young ones in there life. They would be able to give the message they will always be loved.
Great illustrations... some parts of the artwork looked so real that they seemed photographic.
It has a wonderful message of love... "Wherever you are my love will find you." The book helps send that message that our love is not confined by time, space, or anything else.
I seem to have always had a little fear in the back of my mind of losing a child or of my children losing me. I want them to incorporate the message very deeply that even death will not separate us and our love for each other.
Even though there are no religious references, I love to read the book and think about the love God has for me... and for every one of us. This is a book I'd like to own and re-read often... I LOVE THIS BOOK!~
I love this book. My husband bought a month ago to read to our kids. He's leaving for Iraq very soon and wanted to leave a recording of him read this book. Then when ever they are sad or miss Dad they can watch it. The first time I read it (before my husband did), at the end I wiped away a tear thinking this was the perfect way for military father to express his love to his young (3&5) children. I looked over at my 5 year old son and saw him also wipe at his eyes. Then he told me I love you Mama.
This is more of an ode to a child who is approaching adulthood. The child depicted is young, but the themes are more mature. It's a bit too sweet for my taste, but touching nevertheless.
Although it is a children's book, I believe the intended audience is a child who is about to leave the nest, given by a parent who is about to set her free.
This book Moved me profoundly after my father's death... When the author invites the reader to lift her head to the wind (where my dad always said we'd find him), it was like he was reading it to us... When I read the dedication at the end, I was sure this book had been written just for me at that sad moment to remind me he would always be with me. One of my favorite books to read to my kids