Baby Blessings: Inspiring Poems and Prayers for Every Stage of Babyhood [Hardcover]

June Cotner (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 7, 2002

“What a lovely and lyrical way to usher in a baby and celebrate the unfolding stages of parenting.” —Janet Chan, editorial director, the Parenting Group

Baby Blessings highlights the wonders of babyhood with classic and new poems, lullabies, and blessings for every stage of baby’s life, from pregnancy to infanthood to the toddler years. Featuring contributions from such well-known names as Dr. Spock, Brahms, and Rami Shapiro, Baby Blessings also includes special sections for baby-naming ceremonies, christenings, and other precious moments.

Baby Blessings provides inspiration and joyful reflections for the new mother just beginning to explore the miraculous experience of birth and motherhood, as well as the seasoned mom who wants to recapture the priceless emotions of those early days. Parents will treasure this collection for years to come.

Our Wish for You
May you always see beauty in the world
And hear music every day.
May you know the touch of gentle hands
And walk the peaceful way.
May the words you speak be loving,
May laughter see you through.
May you be blessed with hope and joy—
These gifts we wish for you.
— Theresa Mary Grass

Editorial Reviews

Review

“A needed collection of words and thoughts to support the spiritual side of our parenting.” —Vicki Lansky, author of Feed Me! I’m Yours

“A sweet and inspiring collection that will warm the heart of any mother. It touched me!” —Jack Canfield, coauthor of Chicken Soup for the Expectant Mother’s Soul

From the Author

In Baby Blessings you will find insight, joy, and inspiration for those wonderful years from pregnancy through every stage of babyhood. You will find many prayers and poems that can be used at baby-naming ceremonies, christenings, or for family gatherings. I included lullabies for those tender moments spent alone with baby. (Some mothers and fathers have told me they began singing lullabies to their children before they were born.) I hope you enjoy this collection.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 176 pages
• Publisher: Crown; 1st edition (May 7, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0609610171
• ISBN-13: 978-0609610176
• Product Dimensions: 5.6 x 0.8 x 6.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.1 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #595,940 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

June Cotner is a publishing consultant and the author of 26 books, including the bestselling Graces and Dog Blessings. Collectively, her books have sold more than 850,000 copies and have earned praise in many national publications including USA Today, Better Homes & Gardens, Woman's Day, and Family Circle. She has appeared on the television programs "Northwest Afternoon" and "AM Northwest." June is a graduate of the University of California at Berkeley. Through Book Proposal Services, she evaluates nonfiction book proposals and analyzes concepts for books. See "Consulting" at www.JuneCotner.com. Her books have been published by major houses including Random House, HarperCollins, and Hachette. She has also enjoyed working with mid-size publishers such as Andrews McMeel, Chronicle Books, and New World Library.

Quotation: "Creativity, for me, involves connections. As an anthologist, I love finding the perfect quote for a specific book. As a publishing consultant, I greatly enjoy helping clients create the best possible proposals to secure excellent advances."

Fun tidbit: June has always loved playing with creative ideas, including starting the first "dormie" powder puff football game at U.C. Berkeley, I ETA PI, that competed against sorority teams and went on to become a football dynasty.

Visit her website at www.JuneCotner.com

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great gift for New Parents, August 18, 2003

By 

Eleanor Manning (Troy, NY United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Baby Blessings: Inspiring Poems and Prayers for Every Stage of Babyhood (Hardcover)

I purchased this book on the recommendation of a friend. I gave it to my son and daughter-in-law before the birth of their first child. They were both thrilled with the book and, in turn, purchased it for a couple they knew were having a child. It is a soothing and magical must read. It is relaxing and thought provoking. It reminds us of what is truly important in this life and the great blessing we can experience with the celebration of life. It is one of those rare finds that you never tire of and with each re-read, you smile again and say "Ah, yes". Eleanor Manning, Author, Voices.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars It's all here., July 11, 2003

By 

Anna Johnson (Seattle, WA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Baby Blessings: Inspiring Poems and Prayers for Every Stage of Babyhood (Hardcover)

I didn't expect to sit down and read this book from cover to cover, but I did. I am often skeptical about books that claim to be inspiring, but I was impressed. From the poem PREGNANCY to YOU-AND-I, NURSING to NORMAL CHANGES, I was connecting with everything I cherish about being a mother. The selected poems and writings will touch every mother-to-be and serve as a heartfelt reminder to those of us who remember the early days with our babies. No matter the age of our children, the love and hope we hold for them remains and this collection is a reflection of that love and hope. I must quickly finish this review so I can re-read Baby Blessings! (p.s. Every mother - new or not-so-new - would treasure this collection.)

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars For a Good Sweet Cry..., March 9, 2006

By 

K. M. Clark (Connecticut, United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Baby Blessings: Inspiring Poems and Prayers for Every Stage of Babyhood (Hardcover)

I bought this book for myself 4 years ago when I was pregnant with my son. I read it and would cry and cry at the absolute sweetness of the poetry. The people who wrote these pieces totally and completely understood what I was feeling during my pregnancy -- the bliss, the aprehension, the anticipation. After I had my boy, I picked the book up again, and now a whole different section of the book made me cry. Then he turned one, and the book hit me again. Now 4 years later, I just bought the book for 3 of my friends, 2 who are pregnant, and one who has a 1-year old. They are all sobbing. They are not sad poems at all, quite the contrary. They are full of real moments of unadulterated preciousnesses, that force one to sit and fully feel the love we have for our children and for pregancy and for every little quiet personal moment. I literally cannot open the book without feeling overwhelmed with love and without needing to absolutely bury my sweet boy in kisses.