b is for book
We have a new nephew (two actually, but only one gift is ready!). His name is Lincoln and he just came for a visit (my sister and her family live a few states away). I have loved seeing his big cheeks and sweet smile all week.
When our son C was born, my husband's family put together a bag full of favorite children's books. Each person in the family chose a book, and wrote a little note explaining why they had picked it and what they hoped C would learn from it. It was such a thoughtful gift, and almost five years later, many of those books are my son's favorites.
I made this bag for Lincoln, following the directions from this book. Now that I sew, I understand why people make bags. Quick. Frustration free. Totally satisfying. I used canvas for the bag itself, and cotton fabric for the bottom and handles. The bottom fabric lays over the canvas, so I know the bag will be nice and strong. And I always add a strip of canvas to the handles too, since books can get heavy. To make it a little more special, grab a needle and thread and add an embroidered name.
My mom, sister in law and I all picked a few of our favorite books to include, below are a few of my favorites. Happy reading Lincoln! Please come and visit your Aunt Brooke again soon.. We miss seeing your sweet smile already. (especially Bee and C, so sad to see their new cousin leave. "But how will he get on the plane by himself, Mom?" asked Bee.)
04.1.2009
Reader Comments (37)
what a crazy good idea for a gift. I love this, and the bag too. What nice understated design, and love the name neatly embroidered. I have heard of folks giving book showers with bookplates in that have messages instead of the traditional baby gift showers, and I'd love the opportunity to do that sometime. I just adore good books.
sorry to post again, but what are the full titles of the books that begin with
"Don't..."
and
"Your Pal..."?
HI Larissa
They are both Mo Willems books:
Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus
and Leonardo, the Terrible Monster
I have that book! I love it too. I'm going to be making one of the bags for future use, but this is such a sweet idea! I love it.
This really was such a sweet idea, B. Lincoln loves his books and cannot stop cooing about them. It's nice to know he has such great women in his life. Thank you again. I miss you guys already.
This is beautiful!!!!!!!
Love the Pigeon books, this one and Don't Let the Pigeon Stay Up Late are two of our favorite Mo Willems books. He cracks us (my husband and I and our little girl) up.
I love this idea too!
Is the chair that you have pictured with the bag a Thos. Moser chair?
I love this idea. Some of my favorite gifts for my babies were books, they never go out of style.
love Make Way for Ducklings. Giving books as a baby gift is my absolute favorite. Here are my choices for board books for babies: http://www.alphamom.com/hotspots/2009/03/best_board_books_for_babies.php#more
Oooh, we LOVE Mo Willems over here!
this is my favorite present to give a new baby - we have a bookstore near us and they have mini red wagons that are used to package books for a new baby; the books are artfully arranged in the wagon and held together with cellophane and lots of ribbons - i have received the most wonderful thank you notes from friends who have received this present of books - they talk about it years later too and you must always inscribe the books. Nursery rhymes are a must - i learned way back when about the rhymes, cadence and words, they are so impt to language development.
the book bag with stitched name is a wonderful idea - i think i will do it for the next wave a babies - thanks for the great idea.
I am going to make a card saying "The Read Aloud Handbook" for my purse straight away x
Where do you buy your canvas and cotton fabric from? They are so cute, I'd be interested to know where you find them! Thank you so much :).
oh, how i love those pigeon books, hilarious! book bags are definitely my favourite go-to gift for kids, I make them often. i love the idea of kids taking their own, personalized book bag to the library and filling it with goodies each week. thanks for sharing yours!
just came across your blog - love it! what adorable bags. and what a wonderful gift idea to select books with special meaning. btw, my daugther just received the 'pigeon' book as she calls it - she can't get enough of it!