MY MOST POPULAR POEM EVER IS NOW A PICTURE BOOK FOR MOMS AND DADS.

For years after my first book, Beginnings, came out, every time someone said to me, “You know which poem of yours is my absolute favorite?” I knew. It was “Day-Old Child.” And I have a strong memory of the day I was invited to the Lion House in Salt Lake City to be the featured guest at a luncheon for the wives of the LDS General Authorities. As I got up to speak, one of the women—shining like a little sun—called out, “Dear! I hope you’re going to read the poem on page thirty-seven!”

This delightful lady was Jesse Evans Smith, eccentric and charming wife of President Joseph Fielding Smith. I replied, “Of course I will.” And as I read “Day-Old Child” Jesse beamed and mouthed the words right along with me. Such fun that was!

Mother’s Day is coming right up, you know. And you can get a personalized copy of this brand new picture book—just click “add to cart” below and write in the notes who you would like me to make the book out to.

Here is the poem (slightly adapted for the picture book):

DAY-OLD CHILD

My day-old child lay in my arms.

In a whisper, lips to ear—

I said, “Oh, dear one,

How I wish—I wish that you could hear.

“I’ve a hundred wonderful things to say—”

(A tiny cough and a nod)

“Hurry, hurry, hurry and grow—

So I can tell you about God.”

My day-old baby’s mouth was still

And my words only tickled the ear—

But a kind of a light passed through those eyes—

And I saw this thought appear:

“How I wish I had a voice and words—

I’ve a hundred things to say.

Before I forget I’d tell you of God—

I left God just yesterday.”

—Carol Lynn Pearson