About The Author, Joni Rubinstein

Joni Rubinstein, M. Ed., is a wife, mother, grandmother, and an elementary school counselor. Since each of her children turned one, she has read a poem to them on the night before their birthdays. This tradition continues with her grandchildren. Joni created the book in 2012 to share her birthday tradition with families wanting to start a new family tradition. She hopes that this book becomes a lasting part of your family as well.

Joni has produced the videos Healthy Touch: Infant Massage for Teenage Parents and Bonding Through Touch: Infant Massage for Adoptive Families. She is committed to supporting families in creating new traditions that celebrate love, respect, and attachment.

The Illustrator, Juana Martinez-Neal

Juana Martinez-Neal has been painting sheep and clouds as long as she can remember. She was born in Lima, Peru where she raised no sheep but had plenty of clouds in her Peruvian sky. The Night Before My Birthday Book is the first picture book where she got a chance to paint sheep.

Juana writes and illustrates books for young readers. Her list of awards and recognitions include New York Times Bestselling Illustrator and a Caldecott Honor winner.

How To Use This Book

You’ll see blank spaces on some of the pages. As you read the first two blanks, you’ll
say your child’s present age. The rest of the blanks are for saying their new age and
how many hugs and kisses they’ll get when they awake, and how many candles on their
birthday cake.
At the back of the book you’ll find pages to keep a birthday chronicle. On those pages
you can record who read the book to the birthday child, the date, and which birthday is
being celebrated. There are lines to include dreams that came true in the past year,
events and accomplishments to remember. It’s a childhood memoir, a hardcover
keepsake for a lifetime. Happy Birthdays!
Joni Rubinstein - 2024

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