You Were the First Hardcover – Picture Book, September 24, 2013

Loved reading this to my 2 year old while pregnant with his brother. It made me cry!! I do think it helped prepare him for becoming a big brother and also emphasizing how important he is to me and how much I love him. I read this to him every time he lets me!

Very sweet book made us both cry when reading it to our daughter

We love this book

9 months pregnant but still. This story is so touching and was the best gift for a soon to be older sibling. Illustrations are pretty and my child enjoys reading it again and again.

Bought this for my 6year old in anticipation of his baby brother being born. It is simple sentences with strong meaning. It is easy to follow, and would be great to read to younger kids and as a gift for older kids up to maybe 9years.We read it together every night until he could read it on his own, and then once his brother was born he read it to him aloud. It was so sweet. The baby is now 9m old and he my oldest (now 7) still pulls it down to read sometimes. It is easily one of the best most heartfelt purchases I've ever made.Its hard explaining to an only child kindergartner that someday he won't be an only anymore--but he will always be the first.

Be prepared to cry. This book is so sweet but pretty much every sentiment on every page brings tears to my eyes. I cannot read it aloud to our 3 year old who is about to become a big sister because I get too choked up. Especially not the part about "you were the first who taught us how to be parents." My daughter on the other hand loves it. I only wish the first born in the book was a girl, getting a brother, to help relate to our situation - instead it's a boy getting a sister. In any case we love this book- Certainly a memory maker for a growing family.

My 3.5yo is STILL having a hard time adjusting to her 8mo sister. She loves this book. I think it has helped some. I think it would be good before a baby comes or after (when we got it). I love the pictures. The only downfall is that some of the things are kind of oddly specific like, "You were the first to wear the red snowsuit" ... I just read, "...to wear a snowsuit" My girl would latch on to this, "Mama, we don't have a red snowsuit!?" So I change the words. And as another reviewer noted, there's a dog, so if you don't have a dog... that could be kinda weird too. And a garden. But the idea is SUPER. The book is a nice hardback, quality print. Nice paper. I really like it.

Friends have a grandson who is awaiting the birth of his first sibling. I gifted this book to help him make the transition from Only Child to Big Brother. It was a perfect choice! It is beautifully illustrated and easily captures the attention of a 5 year old. The subject matter is on point. Extremely pleased with this book. I will gift it again when the situation is right.