Nancy Tillman Books

Nancy Tillman books are truly beautiful in both text and illustrations.  The rhythmic tone and message of love and value will leave a child peaceful and loved.  Many of these are available in board books including her most popular - On the Night You Were Born.

From babies to children to youth and even adults her poetry and illustrations will be a balm to their soul.  

On the NIght YOu Were Born

The perfect baby shower gift book begins...

On the night you were born,

the moon smiled with such wonder

that the stars peeked in to see you

and the night wind whispered,

 "Life will never be the same."

Because there had never been anyone like you... ever in the world.


Nancy Tillman books speak love and worth to children.  Her illustrations are truly majestic.

Because of the beauty of both, these books will be enjoyed by any age.  I would invest in a few board books for young children such as babies and toddlers, but you will also want to have a few Nancy Tillman books in their full hardback form to keep for years to come.  It will be an art gallery you and your child will enjoy over and over!

More Nancy Tillman Books

Make the Most of the Sounds

Rhythm & Rhyme - Science has shown us that both the rhythm of reading and the sound of your voice impacts a child's brain development as well as laying neural pathway foundations for reading.  

What to do:

  • Read the book to yourself a few times first to get a natural flow of rhythm.
  • Take your time. Nancy Tillman books are poetry; do not rush them.  Read slowly and smoothly like rocking your child to sleep.

Make the Most of the Pictures

Nancy Tillman books have illustrations of such beauty and detail they open a window to a world of art.  Think of each book as a small art gallery full of discovery for young minds.

She also brings the beauty of different ethnicities and uniqueness of people to her books.  The children inhabiting the pages of her books include a variety of skin tones, boys and girls, and my favorite is her illustration of a down syndrome child.  Her books display the beauty found in each uniqueness and difference.

  • Watch for the new: Nancy Tillman books contain a variety of landscapes, animals and musical instruments.  Talk about where these places may be or which they would like to visit.  Talk about the animals and where their habitats may be. Introduce the instruments and wonder about the music they may be playing.
  • Follow the repeated "items" such as the bell in You're All Kinds of Wonderful or the red of the kite in Your'e Here for a Reason.  These bring a feeling of continuity which brings familiarity and comfort to a child.  It's also a fun activity to do!
  •  Don't overlook the little surprises waiting to be discovered!

Make the Most of the Words
Intellectual Development

Toddlers 

  • Be interactive.  Many Nancy Tillman books include interactive text such as saying your name, counting to three, etc.  Take time to actively do these with your child; it will spark their memory as they recall with familiarity.
  • These books can be a wonderful introduction to so many unique and special animals.
  • Vocabulary - Since these are written with such poetic text, there are words not used in everyday conversation.  These books will increase your child's vocabulary!

Emerging Readers

  • Take time to talk about new vocabulary words such as enchanted or croon.  What do these words mean?  How can we use the words around them to help us understand their meaning?
  • Have your child describe the scenes in the story.  Giving a child the opportunity to talk about something out of the everyday, ordinary conversations will strengthen their speaking skills and vocabulary.  You listening to them says they are valued and important.

Make the Most of the Message
Nancy Tillman Books

The message of Nancy Tillman books speaks value and love into a child's life.  Just as sitting and reading any book with a child tells them they matter, the text of these put it into words to match.

Social Development

  • Talk about the children and animals in the book asking which they would like to be friends with and why.
  • Talk about their uniqueness and how differences make us special.
  • Allowing books to become conversation topics not only builds vocabulary, but teaches social skills.

Emotional Development

  • "You Matter!"  This message is so important to a child's emotional development as well as their overall development.  
  • In the midst of a chaotic world, Nancy Tillman books offer a place of soothing and peace to a child's soul.

Spiritual Development


Psalm 139 is a beautiful chapter to share with a child. It compliments the special messages found in Nancy Tillman books.

1 "You have searched me, Lord,

    and you know me.

2 You know when I sit and when I rise;

    you perceive my thoughts from afar.

3 You discern my going out and my lying down;

    you are familiar with all my ways.

4 Before a word is on my tongue

    you, Lord, know it completely.

5 You hem me in behind and before,

    and you lay your hand upon me.

6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me,

    too lofty for me to attain.

7 Where can I go from your Spirit?

    Where can I flee from your presence?

8 If I go up to the heavens, you are there;

    if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.

9 If I rise on the wings of the dawn,

    if I settle on the far side of the sea,

10 even there your hand will guide me,

    your right hand will hold me fast.

11 If I say, “Surely the darkness will hide me

    and the light become night around me,”

12 even the darkness will not be dark to you;

    the night will shine like the day,

    for darkness is as light to you.

13 For you created my inmost being;

    you knit me together in my mother’s womb.

14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;

    your works are wonderful,

    I know that full well.

15 My frame was not hidden from you

    when I was made in the secret place,

    when I was woven together in the depths of the earth.

16 Your eyes saw my unformed body;

    all the days ordained for me were written in your book

    before one of them came to be.

17 How precious to me are your thoughts,[a] God!

    How vast is the sum of them!

18 Were I to count them,

    they would outnumber the grains of sand—

    when I awake, I am still with you."