About this item

"Before ... You were a song in our hearts, a star in our eyes." Told from the perspective of new parents welcoming their baby to the world, this touching love letter to young children by Governor General's Literary Award-nominated author Deborah Kerbel describes with lyrical grace all of the promise held by new life. As the seasons change from fall through winter and into spring, the expectant parents' anticipation over the baby's arrival is mirrored in the animals around the family's seaside home, marrying the natural world to the family's experience.Suzanne Del Rizzo, author-illustrator of My Beautiful Birds -- a New York Times Notable Children's Books selection and winner of the 2018 SCBWI Crystal Kite Award -- adds an intricately tactile element with her lush illustrations rendered in polymer clay and acrylic wash, depicting the animals in scenes at times playful and other times serene. (Publisher)



About the Author

Deborah Kerbel

Deborah Kerbel was born in London, England, but grew up in Toronto, Canada. A finalist for the 2012 Governor General's Literary Award, the 2010 Canadian Library Association YA Book of the Year Award, 2019 Blue Spruce Award Honour Book, and winner of the 2020 IODE Jean Throop Book Award, Deborah is the author of ten books for young readers of all ages. Currently, Deborah lives and writes in Thornhill, Ontario, with her husband, two book loving teens, and a schnoodle named Fred. Visit her at



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