The Best Gifts

We meet baby Sara soon after her birth. Friends and family are visiting her parents and giving presents to the newborn baby. After they leave Sara's mother nurses the baby. We see tidbits of Sara's life as she grows into adulthood, her graduation from school, her wedding. Later when Sara gives birth to her baby boy, she is showered with gifts from friends and family. When alone with the baby, she nurses her newborn while Sara ponders that "the best gifts can never be bought".I loved the theme that breastfeeding is one of the best gifts that a baby can receive. The book is written in a sweet style. The illustrations are pretty, in pastel tones. It is difficult to find picture books for children that portray breastfeeding; this is a nice book to fit that niche. The two babies in the book are nursed as newborns, there is no mention of when they stopped; it does not address nursing to a certain age or anything. There are no bottles portrayed in this book.My complaint is that the two nursing scenes occur when the mother is in a nightgown, which reinforces some people's opinion that nursing mothers must be in their nightgowns all the time in order to nurse or that they must always stay at home to nurse. Additionally the mother chooses to button her nightgown from the top down, exposing her chest..., which perpetuates another notion that in order to breastfeed the mother must completely expose herself. Please realize that nursing can be done with real clothes on, in a discreet manner that leaves the mother covered for both her own comfort and for the comfort of others. Nursing can be done at any time of the day and anywhere, in public or private, in a more discreet manner than is portrayed in this book. (See the cover illustration for an idea of how the nursing scene is illustrated throughout this book.) Despite my issues I still rate this as 5 stars for the quality of the writing, the quality of the illustration, and the wonderful message that this book communicates.

The Best Gifts is undoubtably the best childrens book I have ever read. The beautiful watercolors depict a woman breastfeeding her child- a very refreshing change to the usual bottle fed infants shown in books. A wonderful book for those who want to clearly give their children the message that breast isn't just best- its normal!

An exquisitely told and beautifully illustrated story that begins with Sara, enveloped in her parents' love, as she breastfeeds, and ends with Sara's son Sam, surrounded by the same love, as he drinks from his mother's breast. The lavender hues in the illustrations emphasize the light scent of lavender present throughout the story--the reader can almost smell this gentle scent that is symbolic of the depth and warmth of mother's milk and the warmth of the love that pervades the story. The author beautifully demonstrates that breastfeeding is a natural and precious part of life, not to be hidden in bathrooms and bedrooms. But there is more--Sara's life is followed from her birth to her fifth birthday, her graduation from school, her wedding, and the birth of her child. On each occasion family and friends gather to celebrate and bring gifts that are joyfully accepted. But, after these gifts are put away, the best gift is given--parental love that is deep and constant. This is a book for both children and parents. It makes a fine bedtime read-aloud. The brief bibliography of books for breastfeeding moms and the list of breastfeeding organizations adds to the value of the book for new and expectant mothers.

A beautifully told and illustrated story for any age and every age! Best Gifts is a story about breastfeeding - one of the most common, yet one of the very best gifts in the world and it is told in a tender, loving and credible way. A great gift for any "expectant" family.

This well-written and charming picture book is not just for kids--parents will love it too. "The Best Gifts" shows breastfeeding as a natural part of family life, but the story of Sara and her parents is about much more than breastfeeding. The reader follows Sara's life from infancy to adulthood via the significant milestones in her life--from coming home from the hospital to birthday parties, graduation, her own wedding, and finally the birth of Sara's son, Sam. Through each vignette, we learn that the best gifts in life are free."The Best Gifts" makes a lovely present for new mothers breastfeeding for the first time as well as for older siblings with a new baby in the house.