Happy Birth Day!

by Robie H. Harris

A perfect gift for baby showers! Great for new big brother and sisters!

A baby is born. From the first moments of her life, she is able to breathe, open her eyes, and gaze at her mother’s face. Soon she will nurse, suck her thumb, and sleep. With text as tender as a newborn’s cheek, Robie H. Harris tells a story to children about the day they were born, describing how loud they cried and how they could see light, hear sounds, and even sneeze. Together with Michael Emberley’s extraordinary illustrations - each one carefully observed and deeply moving - HAPPY BIRTH DAY! shows children how very much they were loved right from the start.

In this new paperback edition, HAPPY BIRTH DAY! includes an illustrated bookplate that lets parents or gift givers fill in the details of a special baby’s birth.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens

32 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1996

About the author

Robie H. Harris has written many award-winning books for children of all ages, including the definitive Family Library about sexuality: IT'S PERFECTLY NORMAL, IT'S SO AMAZING!, and IT'S NOT THE STORK! She lives in Massachusetts.

Reviews

[Emma · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful illustrations. This book is perfect for teaching 8-9 year olds about the real meaning of birthdays.

[Daniel · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is awesome !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!11

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I remember reading this to Lola when she was a newborn and getting all choked up (of course that wouldn't be all that unusual with no sleep and the crazy hormones). Also nice that both of their books show breastfeeding moms - unfortunately too rare in picture books.

[Emily · Rating 3 out of 5]

When a child is old enough, he or she might want to know something about the day he or she was born. There is anatomical detail, just enough to satisfy the most curious of children. What parent doesn't remember this day in detail? But having the illustrations, so clear and full of human emotion, is a nice accompaniment. The family depicted is a very 'standard' type of American family, (Caucasian identity) I would say; it might be nice if the book was updated to show a blended family, an African-American family or families of different cultures... making it more universal.

[Tabatha Krieger · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book as a gift when I got pregnant with my second daughter. My then two year old asked to read this book again and again and it was very useful to help explain to her what would happen when her little sister was born. The illustrations are so lifelike and probably because it is written in the voice of a mother telling her baby about the day she was born, that she actually asked me if that was her in the book.

[piana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Las ilustraciones son increíbles, todo un arte realista.
Me encanto.
Es una gran hazaña traer una nueva vida a este mundo, es casi como un “milagro”, poder imaginar todo lo que puedes hacer con ese nuevo individuo pequeño, pero que terribles consecuencias acarrean el procrear a un ser humano, es mucha responsabilidad, no se lo deseo a nadie.

[Anthony · Rating 4 out of 5]

A mother shares with her newborn child their first day together after the child was born. Heartfelt, and touching this story will provide answers to several questions that may be asked by inquiring minds.

[Anthony · Rating 4 out of 5]

A parent reflects back on the day her child was born, and relives the moment as she shares how the first day of life for them panned out.

[Lynn Davidson · Rating 4 out of 5]

In exactly right words and fabulous illustrations, the story is told about the birth of a baby. It is such an amazing time and is told by the mother in a loving and gentle way.

[Jessica Levitt · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a beautiful book. The illustrations by Michael Emberley are so realistic. After watching his video on TeachingBooks.net I see the book from his perspective. He put a lot of time and energy into researching live births and I appreciated his desire to create "larger than life" illustrations because the interactions with a newborn child are so intense and up close.
Recommended: read aloud for Elementary/Primary 2-8

[Natalie · Rating 2 out of 5]

didn't capture my 3-year old's attention for re-readings.

[Amanda · Rating 1 out of 5]

The baby illustrated for the birth in the hospital is scary! My son was scared by it and I dont blame him. The baby's face is SCARY!

[Heather Willis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very realistic pictures, explains the process after a baby is born. Probably more appropriate to use at home than in a classroom.

[Marilyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

1997 Alissa was amazed by the belly button and how it didn't look like one.

1998 Sep 10 Alissa asked lots of questions about when she was born. We had a good talk.

[Kit · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a sweet book. Too bad there's such a medicalized birth back-drop.

[Andrea Day · Rating 4 out of 5]

Picture book of a new baby. Realistic drawings. I think it's sweet!