"Throughout, the refrain 'You gave me a gift/ when you gave me you' serves to emphasize the narrator’s deep gratefulness for their child . . . Each page’s silhouetted art stands out against textured, gradient backgrounds with watercolor-like appeal."
-Publishers Weekly

"Clay Rice is an inventive author and poet who fills each page with color and creativity. The images of the characters are silhouetted against painted backgrounds to form an effective contrast of colors. The absence of facial expressions allows readers’ imagination to fill in the blank spaces. This book will change the way children view birthdays; instead of feeling excited about opening presents, children will realize that it is an anniversary of the day they were brought into the world. This is the perfect story to read to children ages three to five on birthdays or as a daily reminder that their presence matters more than presents." - Rita Long, Manhattan Book Review





 

"When You Gave Me You is a sweet and heartfelt expression of love from a parent to their child. The story takes place on the child’s birthday and the parents explain the true meaning of this special day. Each aspect of the child’s personality is described with affection and gratitude. The child’s energetic spirit, sense of humor, and nurturing spirit combine to form the most perfect gift imaginable. These words remind the reader that with each passing year, it is important to reflect on how your existence has affected others.

Clay Rice is an inventive author and poet who fills each page with color and creativity. The images of the characters are silhouetted against painted backgrounds to form an effective contrast of colors. The absence of facial expressions allows readers’ imagination to fill in the blank spaces. This book will change the way children view birthdays; instead of feeling excited about opening presents, children will realize that it is an anniversary of the day they were brought into the world. This is the perfect story to read to children ages three to five on birthdays or as a daily reminder that their presence matters more than presents." - Rita Long, Manhattan Book Review