Spiritual writer Henri J. M. Nouwen has stated: "Celebrating a birthday is exalting life and being glad for it." When You Were Born by Dianna Hutts Aston and illustrator E. B. Lewis does just that. A mother recalls her baby's birth and how it was a cause for rejoicing by family and neighbors. The child arouses the heart of the mother and the wonder of the father. The grandmother sings a lullaby and the grandfather rocks the baby in his arms. And there are other grateful and happy responses by an uncle, the dog, neighborhood mothers and their children. A magnolia tree is planted in the baby's honor and even the angels are on hand to join the celebration.