Professional Acclaim

"A joyful glimpse into the heart of children, A Gift for Baby not only validates what children really want and need, but also gently reminds its readers that love is what matters. A Gift for Baby is a gift for parents too." - Kali Wendorf, Editor, Byronchild

"Delightful! This little book will make you smile every time you read it with your child. It reaffirms the basic truth that above all we need each other, day and night." - Tine Thevenin, author of The Family Bed: An Age Old Concept in Childrearing and Mothering and Fathering

"A Gift for Baby is a beautifully illustrated picture book that affirms the importance of human contact in early childhood development.  Baby will love to have it read aloud, and will also enjoy the hugs, tickles, caresses, and kisses that will inevitably come with it!" - Thomas Armstrong, Ph.D.  Author of In Their Own Way, and Awakening Your Child's Natural Genius

"The artwork will delight our little ones, and the text bears a profound message for us Moms and Dads. All we need do is listen and trust. As winsome as it is heartwarming, this book reminds us that the best - and the most important - things in life are free." - Robin Grille, psychologist, author of Parenting for a Peaceful World

A Gift for Baby answers the question, "If babies could talk, what would they say?"  A fun read for parents and their little ones! - Barbara Nicholson and Lysa Parker, Founders of Attachment Parenting International

"Jan has done it again. As with her book The Natural Child, she has gone to the essential core of what matters. A Gift for Baby should be a gift for every new mother and father to enjoy and ponder." - Elliott Barker, M.D., D.Psych. FRCP(C), Director, The Canadian Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children

"In 1935, the Oxford University Press published a tiny book by Joyce Partridge of the Tavistock Clinic, called Baby's Point of View. I was told, as a medical student, that it was 'worth its weight in gold'. But it had no pictures. This attractive little book has lots of pictures, to be enjoyed by babies and adults alike. A toddler seeing a large gift parcel ponders the things it might contain; but she is clear that each would be a poor substitute for what she really wants – close, loving experiences with mommy and daddy. She knows that people are more important than things. It ends with a lovely surprise. An important message, beautifully presented, and a delightful gift for anyone who loves a small child." - Dr. Peter Cook, MB, ChB, FRANZCP, MRC Psych, Retired Child Psychiatrist and author of Early Child Care: Infants and Nations at Risk

"In my work, I focus on the importance of how to fulfill our needs compassionately. It isn't easy. We often learn self-defeating ways of fulfilling our needs. I enjoy how this book playfully clarifies how to meet our needs in a natural way." - Marshall Rosenberg, Ph.D., Director of Educational Services for The Center for Nonviolent Communication

"Simple, sweet, beautiful, true." - James McKenna, M.D., Professor of Anthropology and Director of the University of Notre Dame Mother-Baby Behavioral Sleep Laboratory

"At last - a children's book that promotes the truths of attachment/connection parenting in a colorful, easy-to-understand way for toddlers and adults alike." - John W. Travis, MD, MPH, Co-founder, Alliance for Transforming the Lives of Children, Co-author, Wellness Workbook

"A beautifully illustrated story with a clear life-affirming message: children naturally thrive in close connection with their family." - Andy Sabatino Sanchez, ms, rd, cle, nutritionist and breastfeeding educator

"This little magical book can transform humanity. A Gift for Baby is a wonderful book for the toddler who finds all her aspirations validated, while at the same time it sums up baby and toddler care for the parents. I would recommend Jan's book for every new parent and as the best hospital give-away for new mothers." - Naomi Aldort, Counselor

"This book offers parents an important perspective on the needs of babies and young children: what the latter want and need the most is their mothers.  This simple reality, however, is overlooked by increasing numbers of parents.  Perhaps this book will alert more parents to the profound value of the hands-on nurturing that mothers provide by being available to breastfeed and care for their children." - Mizin Kawasaki, Author, Mothering with Breastfeeding and Maternal Care

Praise from parents

"My daughter loves your new children's book! With a whole shelf full of books, that is the first one she chooses each time she pulls them all off onto the floor (ha!). She carefully takes your book, sits down and looks through the pictures very intently. When she is finished with it, she then drags all the rest of the books into a huge pile on the floor. A favorite activity for a 14 month old! - S.B.

"I just received my " A Gift for Baby" today and it made me cry. To say it is beautiful doesn't even begin to describe it. Thank you, thank you, thank you." - A.P.

"Finally! A children's book that tells it like it really is - from baby's point of view! All babies (and their parents!) will appreciate the book's message of gentle and loving parenting. Destined to become your family's favorite." - K.D.

"It's delightful! Just the kind of book I am forever searching for as a new baby gift and to read to my own babies!" - J.L.