January's Child: The Birthday Month Book Book

"You were born in your very own month of the year and the world was waiting to welcome you here with daydreams and wishes and circles of love and in turn you brought a gift from above...." Every day is someone's birthday, which January's Child celebrates with creative attributes for each month of the year. More positive than the traditional Monday's Child rhyme, and geared for families to share among youngest and oldest members, this is a beautifully illustrated treasury sure to become a classic, evergreen gift for new babies.

Kirkus Reviews

Gosline and Bossi's latest collaboration is an ideal gift for a newborn. Devoting one spread to each month of the year, Gosline outlines some of the personality traits associated with children born in that month, and uses similes to help children understand how those traits will affect the people around them. "May's child is merry, amusing, and free, / gathering love like a large family. / You are happy as spring in a meadow row, / bringing your light wherever you go." On facing pages, Bossi's jewel-tone illustrations capture those traits in animal form, along with a final couplet listing more traits. For April: "I am thoughtful. I stretch. I float. I create. / I am open. I hope. I honor. I wait." Much like astrology and the "Monday's child is fair of face" poem, this is not one-size-fits-all, but it could be a fun stepping stone to talking with children about their own personality, comparing what suits them and what does not. The gentle rhymes and luminous artwork reminiscent of Helen Ward will soothe even the most difficult of personalities, making this a good bedtime choice. (Picture book. 0-4)