
A parent might reach for this book when their child is asking questions about their own birth or what life was like before they arrived. It's also a wonderfully gentle way to introduce the concept of pregnancy to a child who is about to become an older sibling. The story is a simple, retrospective account from a mother to her daughter, Hannah, describing the summer she spent waiting for Hannah to be born. She talks about painting the nursery, feeling the first kicks, and imagining what her baby would be like. Its themes are pure, unconditional love and joyful anticipation. The book is perfect for affirming a child’s place in the family, showing them they were wanted and loved even before they were seen.
This book contains no sensitive topics. The approach is secular and focuses entirely on the positive, loving experience of a planned pregnancy within a stable, two-parent household. The resolution is simply the joyful arrival of the baby.
The ideal reader is a 4 to 7 year old child who is curious about their own origin story ("What was it like before I was born?"). It is also perfectly suited for a child expecting a new sibling, as it frames the pregnancy and waiting period as an act of love and preparation for them.
Your experience helps other parents find the right book.
Sign in to write a reviewNo parental prep is necessary. The book is straightforward, gentle, and can be read cold. It's an excellent conversation starter and a very safe emotional read. A child asks, "Mommy, what did you do when I was in your tummy?" or a parent who is newly pregnant wants to share the feeling of loving anticipation with their older child, shifting the focus from sibling displacement to shared excitement.
A younger child (4-5) will connect to the concrete acts of love: painting a room, buying a tiny hat, feeling a kick. They will absorb the core message of being wanted. An older child (6-8) will better grasp the retrospective nature of the story, understanding it as a cherished memory. They may be prompted to ask more specific questions about their own family's story.
Unlike most new sibling books that focus on the older child's anxiety or adjustment, this book's uniqueness lies in its parental perspective. It's a story of how the family prepared for *this specific child*. This makes it a powerful tool for affirming a firstborn's value or for explaining to an older sibling that they, too, were once the baby everyone was excited to meet.
A mother sits with her young daughter, Hannah, and recounts the story of the summer she was pregnant with her. She describes the physical changes, the preparations she and Hannah's father made for the baby's room, the items they bought, her daydreams about the baby, and the overwhelming feeling of love and anticipation that filled the waiting period. The story culminates with Hannah's birth and the joy of finally meeting her.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.