Welcome to Our Birthday Book Collection!
Every year, I gift my kids a special book on their birthday, each one chosen with love and meaning to mark another year of growth, curiosity, and discovery. These books are not just gifts; they're memories in the making, filled with lessons, joy, and the beauty of childhood. As I add to their collection, I also write them a personal note in each book, sharing my hopes for their future, my reflections on their growth, and the excitement of the year ahead.
For now, this page is a space to celebrate those birthday books, but in time, it will grow to include all the books we cherish together as a family, from bedtime stories to new favorites. I hope this list inspires you as you choose meaningful books for the little ones in your life.
Here are the books that have marked my kids' special days, and I can’t wait to keep adding to this collection as they grow!
📚 Lily’s Birthday Books
Before Her Birth:
To the Moon and Back for You by Emilia Bechrakis Serhant
A heartfelt story written by a mom who struggled on the journey to have a baby, expressing all the love and perseverance it took to bring her child into the world.
This is a very special book for Lily, as she is my miracle baby. After being told we would never be able to have a child and with less than 2% odds using IVF, it felt impossible. But we refused to give up. I read To the Moon and Back for You to Lily every single day she was in utero, reminding myself of our journey and all we went through to make her a reality. When she was born, I gave her this book with a special note about how she truly is our miracle and how much we love her, all the way to the moon and back.
On the Day She Was Born:
Oh, Baby, the Places You'll Go! (Dr. Seuss Nursery Collection) by Tish Rabe
A delightful introduction to Dr. Seuss's world for young readers.
I gave this book to Lily on the day she was born, along with a special note about my hopes and dreams for her. I wrote about how I hope she grows up to embrace all the amazing places life will take her and the dreams she’ll make for herself. It was a way to start her journey with a reminder that she can go anywhere and do anything in life.
On Her 1st Birthday:
Happy Birthday to You! by Dr. Seuss
A classic Seuss book celebrating the special day.
I gave this to Lily on her very first birthday. It felt like the perfect way to celebrate her milestone and all the progress she had made. I wrote her a heartfelt note about how far she’s come and how proud I am of her growth over the past year. It was a way to honor how much she’s blossomed in just 12 months.
On Her 2nd Birthday:
How to Have a Birthday by Mary Lyn Ray
A charming story that explores the joys and traditions of birthdays.
This was Lily’s second birthday gift, when she was beginning to grasp the concept of birthdays. It felt like the perfect way to introduce her to the traditions and excitement of birthdays, helping her understand the specialness of the day. I wanted her to feel celebrated and understand the joy that comes with birthdays.
On Her 3rd Birthday:
If I Was a Horse by Sophie Blackall
A beautifully illustrated tale that sparks imagination and wonder.
I gave Lily this book for her third birthday, a time when she was becoming curious about the world and beginning to ask questions about why things are the way they are. This book allowed me to explore with her the differences between childhood and being a horse, all while celebrating the magic of growing up. It was the perfect way to answer her questions and spark her imagination.
On Her 4th Birthday:
Ten Rules of the Birthday Wish by Beth Ferry
A fun and whimsical look at birthday traditions and wishes.
I chose this book for Lily’s fourth birthday because it was the first year she had a real understanding of what it means to make a birthday wish. She was so excited to blow out her candles and share her wish, and this book beautifully captures the anticipation and excitement of that special moment. In my note, I encouraged her to keep making wishes for herself and to never stop dreaming as she continues to grow.
📚 KJ’s Birthday Books
Before His Birth:
It Had to Be You: A High Contrast Book For Newborns by Loryn Brantz
A sweet and playful board book featuring bold, high-contrast black-and-white illustrations that babies can actually see.
I read this book to KJ every day while in utero and while he was in the NICU for almost 6 weeks. This was our special book, a daily comfort during a challenging time. The beautiful verse and high-contrast illustrations onnected us in a way that felt intimate and comforting during those tough moments. The book tells the story of the journey parents take to have their perfect little one, and every day I read it to KJ, it reminded me how much love and hope we had for him, even before he was born.
On the Day He Was Born:
Oh, Baby, the Places You'll Go! (Dr. Seuss Nursery Collection) by Tish Rabe
A delightful introduction to Dr. Seuss's world for young readers.
I gave this book to KJ on the day he was born, just as I did for Lily. In my note to him, I shared my hopes and dreams for his future, just as I had for his sister. I wrote about how I hope he grows up to explore the world around him and follow his own dreams with courage and curiosity. It was a way to start his journey with a reminder that he, too, can go anywhere and do anything in life, no matter what challenges he faces.
On His 1st Birthday:
Happy Birthday to You! by Dr. Seuss
A classic Seuss book celebrating the special day.
I gave this to KJ on his very first birthday, just as I did for Lily. This book was the perfect way to celebrate his first year of life and all the incredible progress he made in those 12 months, as he had an extra hard road with having many medical needs, surgeries, etc. his first year. I wrote him a heartfelt note about how far he’s come, how proud I am of his strength and resilience, and how much joy he’s brought into our lives. It was a way to honor the amazing little person he is becoming and the adventure ahead.