You Are a Gift to the World [Hardcover]

Laura Duksta (Author), Dona Turner (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1, 2011 | Age Range: 4 - 8 years | Lexile Measure: 740L (What's this?)

Featuring the same unique flip-book design and universal message that made I Love You More a bestseller, this companion book brings the same beautiful lyricism to a new dual idea: A child is a gift to the world, and the world is a gift to a child. Evoking all that makes a child unique, the book then mirrors with the world's special gifts-from mountains to seas to life itself.

Inspirational as well as gorgeously written, both poems reach the same moving conclusion: A child in the world is the greatest gift of all.

Praise for I Love You More:

"I can just see an adult and a kid giggling away, flipping the book over and taking turns reading to get to the middle and a big fat hug... Sweet, simple examples that a little one with a big heart will understand."
-Alyne Ellis, AARP Radio Network

Editorial Reviews

Review

I love that it is so super easy and fun to read. It's very catchy and cute. The message of love, appreciation, and acceptance are right at the forefront of this book. Honestly, this is a beautiful book and definitely one of my all time favorites. It sums up how I feel about my children- they are the best present I could ever have, no doubt about it! (Whitney It;s Gravy, Baby! 20110422)

I love this book. First off, I love the "You are a Gift to the World" side of the book because it explains to simply and perfectly how a parent loves a child. I am reading this to my children over and over again, because they truly are gifts to the World and to me. Sometimes we forget to say it, and this story is a perfect little reminder to tell them each and every day. The illustrations are colourful and fun to look at, and the prose was fun to read. All of my kids like the story, and they really like that you can flip the book over and find another story!

"The World is a Gift to You" explains the beauty of nature and the miracles around us every day. In the same excellent story telling as "You are a Gift to the World", this book connects children and adults and nature. They are both excellent stories and I'm glad to have found them. (Sam Kidsumers 20110304)

We love books at our house, especially books that have powerful messages! Therefore, we were extremely excited to receive a copy of You Are a Gift to the World to review!

You Are a Gift to the World has a powerful message for children and adults about appreciating one another and the world around us. It has quickly became one of Ella's favorite! It is a must have for all of the little ones in your life! We encourage you to check it out today! (Stacey All Because Two People Fell in Love 20110311)

You Are a Gift to the World doesn't disappoint. With the same vibrant pictures filled with love, this two-sided flip book tells two stories: You are a Gift to the World and The World is a Gift to You (perfect for April, right?), sharing the same conclusion: a child is a gift to the world... to right by it.Just as with I Love You More, You Are a Gift to the World gave sensitive me chills when I read it. And we've read and enjoyed it time and again. (Just Precious 20110412)

You Are a Gift to the World, by Laura Duksta, is truly a unique book. One one side entitled You Are a Gift to the World share a wonderful story of how a child is the center of his Mother's life. If you flip the book around you'll find The World is a Gift to You. Here the storyline is about the world and all the beautiful things in it.

What the girls really liked about the book was the story of how much a Mom loves her child. My girls are always asking me what I think is the best present I've ever received and my reply is always the same . . . my daughters. So to be able to read a story that they could relate to was very special to them.

As for me, I really liked the soft feel of the illustrations. The almost pastel looking images really gave the book an overall sentimental tone and made you feel the calmness and serenity of the story. I also liked the over-sized text which made the book very easy to read.

You Are a Gift to the World would make a great addition to any family library! (Kailani An Island Life 20110211)

After reading Duksta's stories and learning more about her, I'm impressed. These books capture so well the concepts that children need to learn early in life in order to realize their full potential and to find value in the world around them. These are beautiful stories that your entire family will benefit from, now and into the future. (Kristen Schott OC Family 20110401)

Inspirational as well as gorgeously written, both poems reach the same moving conclusion: A child in the world is the greatest gift of all. My middle child said that it made him feel special. (My OKC Mommy 20110221)

If you lack the words to tell your child just how much you love him or her, I've got the perfect book to express it: You Are a Gift to the World, by Laura Duksta. Through charming rhyme and illustrations, children will have no doubt about how special they are when you share this book with them. (Susan Heim Susan Heim on Parenting 20110412)

This ingenious book is an excellent springboard for parents and children to discuss what special gifts the child has and how everything in the world is a special gift to us. (Dad of Divas' Reviews )

Product Details

• Age Range: 4 - 8 years
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Sourcebooks Jabberwocky (April 1, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1402219547
• ISBN-13: 978-1402219542
• Product Dimensions: 9.8 x 0.4 x 10.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #188,617 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Laura grew up just outside of Boston at her families restaurant on the ocean. In 1991 she relocated to South Florida living again just a block away from the beach. She loves to watch the sunrise and moonrise over the ocean-especially with her nieces and nephews.

I Love You More is her first book-she actually went from being a bartender to a best-selling author in the last few years. The book was an answer to a prayer, written for her oldest nephew Tyler. Laura is incredibly grateful for the inspiration that literally changed her life.

In 2001, she and illustrator Karen Keesler, started I Shine, Inc and self-published their book. They sold over 179,000 copies on their own until partnering with Sourcebooks at the end of 2007. In 2008, with their publishers help, I Love You More hit the New york Times Best Sellers List three times. Their mission is "to generate the conversation of love around the world" and they are doing just that-they receive orders and emails from all over the globe. ILYM is now available in Korean and Hebrew. They have won several awards and have been written up in in many local and national publications, including USA Today.

Laura's favorite thing to do is going into schools and sharing her program "Self-Esteem through Love". Losing her hair at age 11, to a disease called Alopecia Areata, made her realize how tough it is when young people feel like they don't fit in. Her program teaches students to celebrate and be empowered by their differences rather than being stopped by them and inspires them to be their very best.

Laura never dreamed of being an author but she is very glad that she took what seemed to be a good idea and turned it into a mini empire of love!

Shine On!

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars What is the greatest gift??? Find out in this book March 19, 2011

By adayriddle

Format:Hardcover

This flip-sided book is wonderful. The front side is titled "You are a Gift to the World" and tells about all the wonderful ways that children are a gift to this world. The other side reminds us how many wonderful gifts are given to us this world. This book is a beautiful reminder that the best gifts aren't bought, made, or pre-thought they are the very things that make life more precious. The most treasured gifts ought to be the things that we seem to take for granted most: laughter, song, smiles, trees, flowers, animals, waterfalls, clouds. Both books end the same way "You are a gift to the world and the world is a gift to you. So as you travel through life, you see all the ways it's true." Laura Duksta has done an impressive job with this children's book. What a wonderful way to let your child know how very special and unique they are!
Thank you Sourcebook for this review copy.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Wonder not only in eyes of a child! May 2, 2011

By Shannon M. Mcgee

Format:Hardcover

I thought this book is a wonderful reminder to children and all of us that we are special and the world is special to us. Both stories are told as if a parent or a mentor is answering a child's question. Of course the answer should be universal

I enjoyed reading this reminder and both sides of the story. I hoped for a the story to be a little longer. So it may be short but it is sweet. Recommend for those with low self esteem in children or adults.

5.0 out of 5 stars Great book and message September 29, 2012

By Mike Brown author

Format:Hardcover

This is a super empowering book for children and for adults. It will touch, move and inspired you. I recommend everyone read it. You really are a gift to the world, so shine your light brightly :)

Laura and I wrote a different book with the same title and published it right around the same time without even knowing it. I called her and talked to her on the phone and we loved that we had the same message and continue to share it. Great work Laura, let's continue to spread the message. You are a gift to the world :) Here is my book--->[...]