Customer Reviews

Humble Bumbles Baby Journal

5 star:		(99)
4 star:		(21)
3 star:		(9)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

This is a spiral bound journal with very colorful pages, illustrated with small cartoon animals, but not goofy or infantile looking at all really. There are several vellum paper pockets for mementos, precut frames for your photos and the book is actually built loose enough to accomodate all your memoribilia (unlike some which instruct "paste hospital bracelet here" and then the darn thing won't close flat).

What I really like about this journal, other than the artistic design and practical considerations, was that the suggested pages are neither too concerned with minutiae (baby's first spit up, baby's first stool, baby's first visit with my mother's brother's half-cousin) nor too new age-y ("I first dreamed my baby would be a post-feminist idealogue when....").

There are famous quotations about children on every page and many are from the Bible.

Also I like that it doesn't assume this is your first baby, since there are places for reactions of siblings. And there is a family tree page for both mom and dad which is nice. If you don't like any of the pages you can always rip them out, since the paper is spiral bound and easy to remove if desired.

Highly recommended if you are looking for a cheerful but gender-neutral baby journal.

Hello fellow journalers in search of the perfect Baby Book. Well, we've come pretty close! Upon the birth of my son, I was looking for that something special. I had received a different book for my daughter, but it was quite feminine and still was lacking some of the special moments I wanted to preserve. I found it quite difficult to find one that would capture the essence of a boy, yet provide all the sweetness of the baby's first years. I knew what I wanted, but all of the books I found in stores just couldn't quite make it. Turning to Amazon (where I should have looked in the first place) I took the advice of all the reviewers and bought this journal, sight unseen. I was not the least bit disappointed!!

This gentle, appealing baby keepsake book is the best I've ever seen (and I am VERY particular when it comes to these types of things :) ) The characters are sweet and the pages inviting. I found it hard to find a book that was appropriate for a boy, yet this one has a remarkable way of being suitable for either boy or girl. (I have almost decided to purchase one for my daughter and redo hers with the Humble Bumbles!) The colors are rich, yet soft jewel tones, and there is quite a bit of space to paste your pictures, especially if you crop some of them first.

I was especially pleased with the guided journal sections and the special moment highlight pages. There was ample space to answer the questions, but not so much as to feel compelled to write volumes. (Being a writer, I well know the pressure of feeling as if you have to fill in all the lines in order to be completed!) As well, the small pockets for things like a locket of hair or the baby bracelet were perfect, and we are really enjoying the included growth chart!

Another favorite feature was the quotes placed throughout the pages. Some biblical, some from famous persons, some poetry, each was appropriate, perfectly placed, and could even bring a tear to your eye. Some of my favorites: "...and it is not a slight thing when they, who are so fresh from God, Love us." - Charles Dickens....."Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart..." - Jeremiah 1:5......"There are two lasting bequests we can give our children. One is roots. The other is wings." - Hodding Carter, Jr.

Aside from all this, the journal is comprehensive but not overloaded. It will lead you through the beginning pages of the anxious and excited anticipation, through the delivery and arrival of your babe, coming home, family reactions, and then the baby's special firsts, growth, holidays, birthdays (through three) and the like. It provides pages for your own reflection, that I have chosen to use as mini-letters to my son.

I think this Baby Journal is as perfect as they come. It's adorable, and just feels good to write in. When you open the book, you really feel as if you're entering a little secret place where the memories of your baby live. And whether you're writing for your son or daughter, it will be just right.

My wife and I returned this journal; the characters are Christian-themed, and roughly half of the quotes are bible verses.

Parents of other faiths (or none of the above) and those seeking a neutral journal will probably not find this one works for them. Other than that, the illustrations were cute and the rest of the design and production quality seemed fine.

I purchased two copies of this baby journal as Christmas gifts for two expectant mothers. I was unfamiliar with the Humble Bumbles series and its characters and bought the books from amazon sight unseen and based solely on the glowing reviews here. The book does seem to be for the most part satisfactory. My only warning for potential buyers is that the author/illustrator appears to be a born-again bible-thumper (as admitted in the illustrator's own words in the "About the Illustrator" insert) and the book is littered with excerpts from the Bible and other quotations which reference "Heaven" and "God". If that sort of thing doesn't bother you, then I imagine, you'll find this book nearly flawless. I, however, found the quasi-proselytizing to be somewhat off-putting. Apart from that, I don't really have any complaints. The books strengths are outlined ad infinitum in the reviews below; I just wanted to provide this caveat to potential buyers who may neither be aware (as I wasn't) nor enthralled (as I am not) with the book's religious inclinations.

I bought this book because I felt like I 'had' to have a baby book but knew that I wouldnt do anything too complicated. This is pretty simple and not asking for too much time or effort (something a new mom has little of). I like that there are spots for photos so it becomes a baby book and a scrap book at the same time. I also like that it goes to 3 years old...the later years are more about the milestones and birthdays.

ETA: 5-18-09 I am editting this review to let readers know that I am getting this for my 2nd baby. It seems to be the best of what I am looking for. The bible quotes (as some have mentioned) were not offensive to me at all. I am Jewish and actually didn't notice them all that much. They are written in small-ish text so they don't dominate the page.

But its definitely the best baby book I've found. Its trendy but won't be cheesy in 10 years when you share it with your baby. Its beautiful with lots of pouches and envelopes to store momentos.

I spent a long time looking for a keepsake book and this is the only that had everything I was looking for.
1) It's gender-neutral (we didn't know what we were having)
2) There are several pockets, so you can save a lock of hair, hospital bracelet, or whatever you want.
3) There are pages that are almost blank, so you can write whatever you want, as well as pages that ask specific things like, homecoming, first holidays, first outing, etc. And there are lots of pages for photos, and these really cute cardboard picture frames for matting your photos are included.
4) It's not at all cheesy. We wound up having a boy, and I think this book is something he'll be able to enjoy when he's a little older. It's not a whole bunch of pastels, nor is it filled with racecars and trains. The colors are somewhat bold, with lots of purples, greens, and yellows, as well as as some pinks and blues. There are quotes on the bottom of every page. And there's a little picture of a bear on every page. One of my favorite things about this book is that each page is different. There are many color schemes, and the bear pictures are all unique, so when I show this to my son in a few years, he won't get bored.
5) It's not ridiculously expensive. I paid $20 for mine, and I think it's well worth it.

Some of the topics covered in this book are: Visitors, About Your World, Celebrating, Your Favorite Things, there are pages about relatives, First Tooth, and there's a growth chart, which I'm definitely planning on using.

I highly recommend this book. I wish I had had it in the hospital, because there's a place for baby's foot- and handprints. If they still make this book in a few years, I'm going to buy it for our next baby.

I LOVE this journal. I brought it to the hospital with me so that the nurses could do the baby's footprints in the journal after the birth, and my doctor and the nurses all fell in love with it too.

I am not one for writing about my feelings and emotions, so this journal was perfect for me. There are a few places to write letters to the baby, but it is not filled with pages and pages to reflect on your mind and body. Instead, it is a fun book focused on getting ready for the baby and not the actual pregnancy. And, it is very easy to fill out and keep up with.

The design of the book is colorful and fun with wonderful illustrations. It serves as the perfect keepsake with places to complete a family tree, details about mommy and daddy, and pages to keep track of all the special memories about getting ready for the baby and first three years of the baby's life.

Included with the book are vellum paper pockets for mementos, a height chart (which I use) and photo mats. I do not personally use the photo mats because they are smaller than the pictures I use but I think they are a nice touch. One of the best features is the spiral binding, which allows you to paste in a lot of items and still have the book shut properly.

My mother purchased this for me, but if I received this as a baby shower gift it would have been one my favorite gifts.

With my first child I went through about 3 baby books until I settled with the Anne Geddes book. However putting all of the bracelts and photos in there it wouldn't stay shut. I am now pregnant and came accross this baby journal. I love it. I bought two, on for the new baby and one to transfer all of my first child information into his.

I recommend this journal to anyone expecting.

This book is cute, yes, but I was very put off by all the biblical quotes throughout. I wanted to purchase a baby memory book, not scripture. Hopefully my (religious) sister will enjoy it.