Author: Isabel Minhos Martins
Illustrator: Madalena Matoso
Publisher: Tate Publishing, 2010; First Published in Portuguese as Quando Eu Nasci; Planeta Tangerina, 2010
Age Level: 3-8
Themes: world around us, senses
Opening: When I was born I had never seen anything. Only the darkness of my mother’s tummy.
Summary: (From Amazon) When I Was Born revisits the adventure of discovering the world for the first time. Breathing, seeing, hearing, tasting, and touch are encountered afresh in this beautifully illustrated, poetic tale, reintroducing readers to the richness and delight of life.
Click on image for more pics and a mini review by awesome print maker Mina Braun.
Why I like this book: I love the simple, bright, eye-pleasing art. The artist makes wise use of negative space. And the whole design, especially the text font gives it a 60’s feeling. The story is a gentle journey of curiosity and falling in love with the world. Read this excerpt aloud: Or how nice it is when someone whispers in your ear. Or how loud it can be when something falls. Or how a leaf falling just goes: plip!
Activity: Talking about the senses and identifying favorite sights, sounds, tastes will probably come naturally from the child(ren) being read to.
Related review : http://minabraun.blogspot.com/2010_12_01_archive.html
julie rowan-zoch 
mmmmm. I like the sound and vision of this book! I’ll bet I would like the smell and feel as well! Thanks for sharing!
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Yes – the paper is toothy too!
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Julie, you always have the coolest picks: a picture book from Portugal, no less.
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Hey, what can I say – my library has good taste too!
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A good reminder to stop and smell the roses. Literal and figurative roses. Thanks, Julie.
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It is sweet!
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That artwork looks just your style Julie and how poetic is the story. Great choice!
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This jumped out at me, guess likes attract.
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Wow – I love the way this looks and reads!
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Can’t wait to listen for ‘plip’ in the fall!
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Wait a minute – I can wait – we still have snow!
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PLIP! That makes me want to read it. Thanks for the recommendation, Julie!
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🙂
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The art and text draw me in for this one. Love that it is translated from portuguese and the first ever experiences of a baby.
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Enjoy! Think the contrasts alone make it an excellent gift for the very young!
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