Birthday Books and Inscriptions for a Six-Year-Old

Six years ago today, it was close to 60 degrees.  I know this because it was the day I brought home my younger daughter from the hospital.  Despite the weather, I insisted on dressing her in the same pink, fleecy bunting, I'd come home from the hospital in nearly 33 years before.


Regular readers know that I always write inscriptions on the books I give my daughters for their birthdays.  Today my younger daughter turned 6.  I only gave her two books, with two more to follow which align thematically with a gift that my parents will give her this weekend.  I chose these two because they inspired repeated requests for reading, but I realized they dovetailed nicely with each other as they are both about sibling relationships.  So without further ado, here are the two books I gave her and what I wrote in them.

The Seven Chinese Sisters.  May you and your sister always find your own strengths and use them to help each other. 

Rotten Richie and the Ultimate Dare.  As you and your sibling grow up, fight, and compete with each other, may you always respect each other's passions and accomplishments and remember that, in spite of it all, you love each other.  After all, just see whom the author dedicated this book to! [It's her brother, of course, the "rotten Richie" of the title.]

What books have you given as gifts?  Do you inscribe them?

Birthday Books and Inscriptions for a Special 8-Year-Old Girl

The pile of birthday books

My firstborn turned 8 yesterday.  8!  Of course, among her presents were many books, which I inscribed, some with admittedly more inspiration than others, as follows.

The Secret Garden: Since you loved Heidi and Mandy, I thought you would love this classic too.  May you always find friends who help you bloom and special places where you can do so.  May you always appreciate the world around you.  It has been amazing - and fun - watching you bloom and grow so far and we are looking forward to enjoying more of it.

Happily Ever After: This book is by one of my favorite writers but she usually writes for adults.  May you, like the heroine of this book, always be the kind of girl who can rescue herself... but know that your family is always here to help you.

Dear Mother, Dear Daughter: Poems for Young People: I'm sure you will find one or more poems in here that you feel you could have written!  Remember, you can tell me anything.. by talking to me or writing a note... or even a poem!

Ballet Shoes: This was one of my favorite books when I was your age.  I hope you love it as much as I do.

Molly's Pilgrim: I know you love this book.  It is worth owning.

Jewish Fairy Tale Feasts: A Literary Cookbook: I thought this was perfect for a girl who loves reading, cooking, eating and being Jewish!  Which recipe should we try first?

What books do you like to give as gifts?

Birthday Books and Inscriptions for a 5-Year-Old

My "baby" just turned five!  She has been listening to chapter books eagerly for a few months now and for Chanukah I purchased a few of the Riverside Kids books that are out of print.  But for her birthday, I stuck to picture books that she loved when we took them out of the library.  For each book I also pasted in a bookplate sticker of the "This book belongs to..." variety.  (Oh how I wish they said "From the library of..." which sounds so much more elegant, but this company has them with adorable silhouettes of children and I couldn't resist.)  I also wrote my daughter a message in each.  Here are the books I gave her and what I wrote.          

Umbrella by Taro Yashima, which I review here. "You are turning into such a grown-up young lady."

Mimmy and Sophie by Miriam Cohen, which I discuss here and here. "May you and your sister always love and take care of each other like Mimmy and Sophie."



My Side of the Car by Kate Feiffer, which I review here.  "Is it raining on your side of the bus? [As city people, we are on the bus a lot more than we are in a car.]  Because it's so sunny people are wearing sunglasses on my side of the bus.  May you always be on the sunny side of the bus."




Ruby's Wish by Shirin Yim Bridges, which I talk about here. "May you always stand up for what you believe in.  And remember, girls can do ANYTHING!"  She also chose to donate a second copy of this book to her preschool class in honor of her birthday.

Do you always write an inscription on the flyleaf when you give a book as a gift?