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You Were the First Hardcover – Picture Book, September 24, 2013

4.8 4.8 out of 5 stars 1,175 ratings

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From a Newbery Medal-winning author comes a contemporary classic that's perfect for new parents as well as families with new siblings on the way.

You were the first to smile. You were the first to cry. You were the first to lift your head, to look at the trees and flowers and sky.

There is nothing like the first experience of having a child, a life-changing experience that completely transforms the meaning of love. While all babies in the family are special, a new sibling can be an especially challenging emotional transition for the firstborn, and this unique story addresses those insecurities head-on in a most gentle and lyrical way.
You Were the First is also a touching tribute to any baby's early milestones--those unforgettable moments that will always be cherished. From first smiles to first cuddles and even to that first kiss, here's a loving ode to every child's--and parent's--momentous "firsts."
Discover teachers' picks. Discover%20teachers%27%20picks.

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Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

K-Gr 1–Told in second person, this picture book pays tribute to the significance of the moments with a baby from its very first night home. “You were the first…. You were the first to sleep in the basket with the yellow ribbon wound round. You were the first to cry. You were the first to smile.” Simple, poignant lines allow plenty of room for the warm illustrations done in graphite pencil and ink to bring readers into the joyful home of this young family.  Each page is full of telling details for children to notice while conveying emotion that will resonate strongly with parents. The baby grows a little with every page turn in this book of firsts–lifting his head, and then crawling, walking, and running–bringing readers to the powerful line in the text: “You were the first to teach us how to be parents.” The book closes with that yellow-ribboned basket again while suggesting a possible second child, but promising that this baby will always be the first. A touching celebration for firstborns.–Julie Roach, Cambridge Public Library, MAα(c) Copyright 2013. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

From Booklist

*Starred Review* Usually books about sibling jealousy over a new baby focus on the interloper. This sweet story reminds firstborns they will always have pride of place. The cover—an Asian mom and a Caucasian dad smile at their baby and dog lying together on a quilt—is representative of many adorable pictures to come. The text is directed to the child and tells of his many firsts: You were the first to cry. / You were the first to smile. As the story moves forward, the child becomes a little older in each spread. The tiny baby is soon crawling and blowing kisses at the dog. Later he crawls, toddles at the beach, catches leaves, and makes snow angels. When spring comes, he is the first to dig in the garden. He is also the first to teach us how to be parents. And though one day there may be a second or third child, he is reassured that You will always be the first. In some ways, of course, this is really for parents looking for a reassuring way to talk about family additions. But preschoolers will enjoy this look back, and the story should spark discussion and memories of what it was like when they were young(er). Preschool. --Ilene Cooper

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Little, Brown Books for Young Readers; First Edition (September 24, 2013)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 40 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0316185337
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0316185332
  • Reading age ‏ : ‎ 2 - 4 years, from customers
  • Grade level ‏ : ‎ Preschool - 3
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 2.31 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 8.5 x 0.5 x 9.75 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.8 4.8 out of 5 stars 1,175 ratings

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Customer reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars
1,175 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book sweet and charming. They say it's a good book for children to read to their eldest, making them feel important and reminding them that they are the first baby. The book is easy for them to read, with simple sentences and strong meaning. Many readers find the book emotional and a great gift for the oldest child. The message is meaningful and touching, making kids feel special. However, some customers feel the examples are too specific and unrelatable at times.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

159 customers mention "Sweetness"153 positive6 negative

Customers find the book sweet and charming. They describe it as cute and a good keepsake for a memorable time in a parent's life. The illustrations are beautiful and capture their attention easily.

"9 months pregnant but still. This story is so touching and was the best gift for a soon to be older sibling...." Read more

"Great for big brother or Sister , nice story & good quality of a book" Read more

"...It was a perfect choice! It is beautifully illustrated and easily captures the attention of a 5 year old. The subject matter is on point...." Read more

"This charming picture book is both comforting and inclusive." Read more

82 customers mention "Book for children"79 positive3 negative

Customers find this book for children a good gift to give their eldest child. It reminds them that they are the first baby and makes them feel important. It honors memories made with the first child in anticipation of making more memories with the new one. The book is easy to follow and great to read to younger kids as well as older ones.

"Great for big brother or Sister , nice story & good quality of a book" Read more

"This charming picture book is both comforting and inclusive." Read more

"...In any case we love this book- Certainly a memory maker for a growing family." Read more

"This was such a great book to read to our toddler that was about to be a big brother." Read more

24 customers mention "Readability"21 positive3 negative

Customers find the book easy to read and understand. It has simple sentences with strong meaning. The message is easy for children to understand and the illustrations capture their attention. It's a good book for reading to new babies.

"...It is beautifully illustrated and easily captures the attention of a 5 year old. The subject matter is on point. Extremely pleased with this book...." Read more

"...It is simple sentences with strong meaning. It is easy to follow, and would be great to read to younger kids and as a gift for older kids up to..." Read more

"...It’s a simple book and our toddler enjoys looking through the book on her own as well as sitting and listening as we read it to her." Read more

"...It is wonderful and simply amazing how effective, simple and straight-forward the book is, in depicting what the first child represents to us - the..." Read more

18 customers mention "Tears rate"15 positive3 negative

Customers find the book emotional and touching. They say it's a sweet and bittersweet ode to the oldest child.

"Absolutely love this book! What a precious, bittersweet ode to the oldest child...." Read more

"...Well written, well illustrated. Total tear jerker for this mom!" Read more

"...It is a tear jerker, and my 5 year old has had us read it to her every night since her baby sis was born. It’s adorable!" Read more

"...It’s so sweet and it makes me tear up! We are having our second child next month and this is such a sweet way to remind him of how special he is...." Read more

13 customers mention "Gift value"13 positive0 negative

Customers like the book as a gift. They say it's a good gift for the oldest child.

"9 months pregnant but still. This story is so touching and was the best gift for a soon to be older sibling...." Read more

"Made a great shower gift" Read more

"...Great gift for all the oldests out there!" Read more

"Great book for a gift" Read more

10 customers mention "Message quality"10 positive0 negative

Customers find the book's message meaningful and lovely. They say it's a nice concept that mentions all the milestones and simple moments. The message is strong and sweet, making kids feel special.

"...The subject matter is on point. Extremely pleased with this book. I will gift it again when the situation is right." Read more

"...It is simple sentences with strong meaning...." Read more

"...And a garden. But the idea is SUPER. The book is a nice hardback, quality print. Nice paper. I really like it." Read more

"This book is the sweetest ever. Lovely message for a family welcoming a new one and wanting to affirm their oldest. I’m crying just thinking of it." Read more

6 customers mention "Touch"6 positive0 negative

Customers like the story. They say it's touching and sweet, and their children feel special after reading it.

"...Whenever we read this book to our son, he feels special, and feels especially cute thinking about the baby...." Read more

"Such a touching and sweet story. We gave this to our son when our daughter was born. I can’t get through it without crying...." Read more

"...It's short but to the point and so touching! Don't pass this one up...." Read more

"Really touching and meaningful, kids love to read it and feel special. Everyone tears the first time they read this...." Read more

16 customers mention "Specificness"0 positive16 negative

Customers find the book too specific and detailed. They feel the examples are unrelatable.

"...The only downfall is that some of the things are kind of oddly specific like, "You were the first to wear the red snowsuit" ... I just read,..." Read more

"...The only thing I didn’t like was it included things that were too specific such as “you were he first to use the yellow bassinet” ...." Read more

"...It is well written. Maybe a little too specific with certain detials that may not pertain to your situation, but overall explains the imporatance a..." Read more

"...It was too specific as I've seen other reviewers note. So, it felt a bit unrelatable at times b/c the examples were so specific...." Read more

The Sweetest Little Book
5 out of 5 stars
The Sweetest Little Book
I find this book to be very sweet and endearing. I tear up every time I read the line about you were the first to teach me how to be a parent. So sweet! Some of the reviews say that this book leaves out the second or third child and will make the first feel special or different which isn't a good thing. But all parents know we love our second child just as much as the first, but there is something and will always be something special about your first! Just as there is something special about this second. This book is just a great little treasure to share with your first to make sure they know they are still special to you even if there is another baby coming. Enjoy!
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Top reviews from the United States

  • Reviewed in the United States on October 31, 2024
    We love this book
  • Reviewed in the United States on November 3, 2024
    9 months pregnant but still. This story is so touching and was the best gift for a soon to be older sibling. Illustrations are pretty and my child enjoys reading it again and again.
  • Reviewed in the United States on April 5, 2024
    Great for big brother or Sister , nice story & good quality of a book
  • Reviewed in the United States on May 20, 2022
    Friends have a grandson who is awaiting the birth of his first sibling. I gifted this book to help him make the transition from Only Child to Big Brother. It was a perfect choice! It is beautifully illustrated and easily captures the attention of a 5 year old. The subject matter is on point. Extremely pleased with this book. I will gift it again when the situation is right.
    2 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on July 10, 2018
    Bought this for my 6year old in anticipation of his baby brother being born. It is simple sentences with strong meaning. It is easy to follow, and would be great to read to younger kids and as a gift for older kids up to maybe 9years.

    We read it together every night until he could read it on his own, and then once his brother was born he read it to him aloud. It was so sweet. The baby is now 9m old and he my oldest (now 7) still pulls it down to read sometimes. It is easily one of the best most heartfelt purchases I've ever made.

    Its hard explaining to an only child kindergartner that someday he won't be an only anymore--but he will always be the first.
    3 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on August 31, 2015
    Be prepared to cry. This book is so sweet but pretty much every sentiment on every page brings tears to my eyes. I cannot read it aloud to our 3 year old who is about to become a big sister because I get too choked up. Especially not the part about "you were the first who taught us how to be parents." My daughter on the other hand loves it. I only wish the first born in the book was a girl, getting a brother, to help relate to our situation - instead it's a boy getting a sister. In any case we love this book- Certainly a memory maker for a growing family.
    One person found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on October 16, 2024
    This was such a great book to read to our toddler that was about to be a big brother.
  • Reviewed in the United States on January 17, 2024
    This charming picture book is both comforting and inclusive.
    One person found this helpful
    Report

Top reviews from other countries

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  • J M
    5.0 out of 5 stars Special book
    Reviewed in Canada on December 17, 2024
    Purchased this for my step daughter after I had my biological son. It is a great book to remind her that she is still special and important to us. She is still loved and nothing has changed just because of another sibling. The pictures are nice and it’s an easy read.
  • Sunrise Chicken
    5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful Story
    Reviewed in Germany on August 28, 2023
    Wonderful little book but be prepared to cry your eyes out.
  • Biskwitty
    5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 2, 2023
    My first born had been wanting a sibling for years! When I was finally pregnant he got cold feet and started to get upset about being left out and not getting any attention. I bought this to help, what a lovely story, it helped with preparation and reassuring our son that he was just as important as his new brother and how it was him that made us parents. He loved it - he is 6, his brother is 3 months old now and they are inseparable. He never feels left out or any resentment. This book gave us lots of ideas, talking points and allowed my eldest to talk about his feelings. Well worth buying if you have a young child who is apprehensive of having a new baby in the family. It has such a wonderful message about the first born child, makes them feel so loved and important. It definitely did the trick.
  • C. Julie
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great book to prepare for siblings
    Reviewed in France on May 6, 2022
    Good book to prepare for the arrival of siblings. I recommend to associate it to other complementary books too. Good for any age
  • Sam
    5.0 out of 5 stars Es precioso
    Reviewed in Mexico on May 7, 2019
    Me encantó, la historia es muy bonita. Ideal para regalar a un hijo cuando se espera un hermanit@