What began as a few notes written for her children has now been shared in homes across the world over 80 000 times. Browse through our testimonials to see why award judges, gift shop owners, and our many readers - gifters and receivers - love the NOTES Gift Books.
INDUSTRY
"... with all the right elements to become a keepsake treasure for her child when they are old enough to appreciate all it entails."
RETAILER
"They are nothing like the ordinary mass-produced gift books... we sell multiple to the same family. It is not a hard hand sell, the books sell themselves and I defy any parent to not shed the odd tear. It has become our best-selling gift book."
"The words are there for her to pull out and read throughout her life and her journey, waiting for the time she is ready to receive them.
I think it makes a perfect gift for a mother to give a daughter as she grows up and moves out into the world."
READER
INDUSTRY TESTIMONIALS:
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"This is a gem. Heartfelt and original. This book overflows with love and great advice."
- Judge's Commentary for Bronze Medal at 13th Annual IPPY Awards​
Notes To My Daughter
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"I simply love this book! I'd have liked to have had it for my own two sons and daughter..."
- Judge's Commentary for 1st Place at Writer's Digest 16th Annual Self-Published Book Awards​
Notes To My Son
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"Heralding the book's virtues last year, I said that I wished I had produced something of such significance for my sons... I have given you only a taste of her largess in sharing wishes and dreams and knowledge."
- LouAnn Geauvreau-Karry of The Kingsville Reporter
Notes To My Son
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"It's advice that would help any teenager travel the often complicated roads ahead."
- Kathy Rumleski of Sun Media/London Free Press
NOTES Collection
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"Beautifully done... the perfect coffee table book. The advice is something we can all identify with... you might say it's a common sense life philosophy."
- Dick Hildebrand of Windsor Life Magazine
NOTES Collection
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"A Great Book to Give to Your University Bound Son!
I first heard about this book months ago when my son was entering grade 12. When I looked through it, it brought tears to my eyes because Vesna Bailey says everything I would want to say to my own son, now leaving for university. I would love to find a similar one for my daughter to give her in a few years."
- Tamye Machina: Founder of Link to Literacy, Indigo Staff
Notes To My Son
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"I bought this book as soon as it came out to be able to give it to my daughter when she graduates from high school, which turns out to be this June. It really is a beautiful book that captures all that I would want to say to her. The Notes to my Son Before You Go by the same author is equally as good. They are both wonderful gifts for any graduate."
- Tamye Machina: Founder of Link to Literacy, Indigo Staff
Notes To My Daughter
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"Notes To My Baby - I Love You Already by Vesna M. Bailey is a non-fiction book for mothers-to-be with all the right elements to become a keepsake treasure for her child when they are old enough to appreciate all it entails. Chock full of crisp black and white photography illustrating children of different ethnicities and ages and laden with inspirational and loving quotes, Bailey has created a practical, artful, and expressive tone. Throughout the book there are lined pages for mothers to write their own notes to their babies, expressing their own love, which is preceded by a message or open crafted by Bailey. This is the third book in the Notes series.
First of all, I have to admit that this book forced me to reach a bit deeper emotionally than I have when perusing similar books (mostly as baby shower gifts) over the years. More than anything else, it is a gentle nudge onto the reflective side of motherhood, offering a platform to write what she's feeling: the anticipation, the excitement, the hope, and the love she has for the child she will soon be bringing home. Even without a baby on the way, Notes To My Baby - I Love You Already by Vesna M. Bailey got me a little choked up. It's beautiful in presentation and thoughtfulness, and I recommend it to all who are having a baby or know someone else who is. It will hands-down be the go-to gift I pick up for expecting friends at their baby showers."
- Judge's Commentary for Readers' Favorite 5-Stars Award​
Notes To My Baby
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RETAILER TESTIMONIALS:
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"What a discovery! Written from the heart for her own children, and full of the most beautiful black and white photographs... the books carry a message we all want to pass to our children as they grow into adulthood. They are nothing like the ordinary mass-produced gift books and Notes To My Son rightly deserved the Independent Publisher's 2008 "IPPY" Award Gift category... we sell multiples to the same family. It is not a hard hand sell, the books sell themselves and I defy any parent to not shed the odd tear. It has become our best-selling gift book."
- Café Books, Canmore, Alberta
Notes To My Son & Notes To My Daughter
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"Could you please send me two more cases of books? They are such a beautiful book and people from all over always come back to show their friends and then the friends buy them! And then their friends bring friends! It is a never-ending cycle in here!"
- The Olde Stanton Store, The Blue Mountains, Ontario
Notes To My Son & Notes To My Daughter
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"Your books have been our number one sellers since we started purchasing them last summer. Thank you again for giving us the opportunity to carry your books in our store. [...] The message in your books is timeless."
- Jo Ellen Designs, Camden, Maine
NOTES Collection
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"It's a love letter to your child. Truly, you open the book and she's got this beautiful paragraph about what you would say to your child as they are leaving your home and starting their lives. I've never seen a book touch people the way this book has touched people."
- After The Rain, Milford, Michigan
Notes To My Son & Notes To My Daughter
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"We love this book - it's the perfect baby gift!"
- Occasions Gift Store, Potomac, Maryland
Notes To My Baby
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"I love the books myself so it makes it easy to sell them. One of the things I tell people is that they are appropriate for any age. It doesn't have to be that time when your child is leaving home. I gave them to my daughters for Mother's Day. These books definitely touch the soul. One day I found one woman upstairs in the store sitting in a chair reading the book with tears streaming down her face!"
- Bethany Hills Interiors, Millbrook, Ontario
Notes To My Daughter
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"This was my first time ordering the baby book and my customers are loving it. Looks like I'll be ordering more soon!"
- Homeconomics, Culpeper, Virginia
Notes To My Baby
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"Your book sales are phenomenal. We can't keep them on the shelves."
- Shared Times, Bayfield, Ontario
NOTES Collection
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"I cannot believe we did not get these sooner! We need to re-order and they JUST came in yesterday!"
- Trade Whims, Easton, Maryland
NOTES Collection
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"We love having your books in our store and customers love them. The words you use are what every parent wants to tell their child, but in our busy lives we never have enough time. Your books make that possible and lasting! It is so sweet to see the number of father's that pick up the book for their sons! Whether for graduation, marriage, birthdays, or babies it is a best seller!"
- Crossings on Main, Fort Mill, South Carolina
NOTES Collection
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"The books are amazing. My customers loved them instantly. In 4 months I had to reorder 3 times. Vesna's sensibility and creativity are seen throughout the book. My customers would buy several at a time."
- Muti, Toronto, Ontario
NOTES Collection
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"This is our favourite book! Our customers LOVE them. I always give everyone little tips to make these books an heirloom. I suggest buying the old-fashioned black photo corners so that you can put your own photos on some of the pages... open it up to the back pages where it says "Call Home." Have family members and friends write their emails down so that your son or daughter has everyone's emails or phone numbers readily at hand. Use a highlighter and highlight special lines that apply to your loved one. If your beautiful son or daughter are heading off to college or university, tuck a gift card or two into the book! What a wonderful surprise!"
- The Olde Stanton Store, The Blue Mountains, Ontario
Notes To My Son & Notes To My Daughter
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"Vesna Bailey's books fly off our shelves. We sell them to both Moms and Dads each day! They are both filled with inspiration for our youth. Vesna has found the words that we cannot for both our sons and our daughters! This is a gift that keeps on giving!"
- Rapunzel's Boutique, Frankenmuth, Michigan
Notes To My Son & Notes To My Daughter
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"So excited to bring these inspiring special books to Libby Lou's Gifts... heartwarming, tear jerking, and inspiring!... We have been wanting to get them for months!"
- Libby Lou's Gifts, Gastonia, North Carolina
NOTES Collection
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"We love selling your books!"
- The Ivy Cottage, Midland, Texas
NOTES Collection
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"We only have 6 copies of Notes left! I'm happy to say that it continues to be a popular book... and I have my fingers crossed that there is a "Daughter" version in the near future!? So many people have asked about it, that we're starting to take contact information. If you can bring us another few dozen copies of the book (or both books if my finger-crossing is having any effect, lol) that would be great!"
- Treasures, Stratford, Ontario
Notes To My Son
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"I sold your books for years, and always encouraged moms and dads to write memories in the margins before giving them to their children. Excellent books!"
- Rosebud Gifts & Crafts, Rosebud, Alberta
NOTES Collection
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"Can I just tell you that these books hold the most inspirational and meaningful words that you would ever wish for your child to see."
- My Mackenzies, Palmyra, New York
NOTES Collection
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READER TESTIMONIALS:
"A must gift to give from all mother's to their sons. The author is very gifted in putting into just the right words how mother's feel. It will touch your hearts. What a wonderful blessing the author has shared with other mothers."
- S.E.
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"This is one of the sweetest and most meaningful books I've ever read. It can really bring a tear to your eye. I'm holding onto it for the perfect time to give to my son. So glad I bought it."
- G.G.
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"I originally purchased this book for my son who is preparing to leave home for the first time to attend college. After reading the book myself I realized it is a book for all ages. In it are words and reminders (along with beautiful pictures) we all need for living a joyous and successful life. I have found that it is a perfect gift to keep on your coffee table."
- N.A.
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"My son (just graduated college) and I read a few pages every night. We both love this book."
- S.A.
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"My son is a senior in high school this year. I'm finding myself, at that point in life, wondering if I prepared him well enough to enter into adulthood and the real world alone. So I've taken to copying notes from the book every day and placing them on post-it notes. Then I leave them in random areas that my son will be; his bedroom walls, the steering wheel in his car, inside his school books, etc. He seems to like receiving them too. I really like this book."
- M.S.
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"I have one I'm giving to my son who became a dad today."
- E.E.
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"My son is leaving home to go to university where he wants to become a doctor. I am a single mum and my son and I are best friends due to the struggles along the way. I am so very proud of him and I have tried for weeks to find the right words/picture/inspiration to give to him to send him on his way and when I saw this it brought me to tears as it is perfect... thank you so much for capturing the love of a mum so beautifully."
- K.M.
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"Beautifully written and has all the sentiments that I want for my boys. The words and feelings are straight from the heart."
- S. B.
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"Every Mother of a Son should read this book as her son grows up and also when he's ready to fly the coop and become an adult. It will give you, in all the words you couldn't express, the very things you have been feeling. I thought I might want to give it to my son but I have decided to keep it and read it again and again."
- T.G.
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"The best and most beautiful words for when you can't describe how much you love your child. I gave it to my son on his 16th birthday!"
- S. R.
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"My son is leaving soon for his life adventure and this book reflects all I want to say to him before he goes. I am so glad my friend recommended it to me. I also bought a copy for me to keep!"
- D.S.
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"I loved your book, Notes To My Son Before You Go. My youngest sun will graduate high school soon and I feel the pressure that I have not taught him what he needs to know for life. Thanks to your book I am finding a way to share some simple suggestions to live by. He attends an all boys school and I wanted to send this out to his friend's moms as a gift. Hopefully, they too will enjoy sharing your wisdom with their sons."
- A.G.
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"Reading this powerful message made my heart swell. Thank you for sharing your beautiful book with us. I am sending it to my son who lives on the East Coast."
- N.N.
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"Thank you for letting my feelings out."
- J.I.
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"Wonderful and powerful words of inspiration and reality. Touches the meaning of love and existence. Thank you for sharing such wonderful inspiration. My heart was full and my face was smiling while reading it!"
- J.C.
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READER TESTIMONIALS:
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"I just re-read Notes To My Daughter. I love how timeless and thought-provoking your book is at every stage of life."
- J.N.
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"Notes To My Daughter shares heartfelt wisdom for every young woman as she moves through the stages in her life. Whether leaving for university, starting her first job, falling in love, or embarking on a great adventure, this timeless advice can be reflected upon and cherished for the years to come."
- I.M.
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"I think that this is a treasure that my daughter who just got married will be able to dive into... I read it all... I love all that is written and read some of it to her. I hope she will read this from time to time long after I am gone and pass on to her daughter one day or just remind herself of all that is good and hopeful and what gifts life, opportunity and choice are!"
- M.W.
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"I bought this book for my oldest daughter her senior year in high school. I added my own notes and bible scriptures throughout the book, it has become a treasure for her. I have 3 other daughters. So I recently bought 3 more so that I could personalize them as well for my other daughters as they grow and leave for college. It will always be a keepsake for them."
- D.M.
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"What an inspiration!
A collection of thoughts, etc., for a daughter as she enters adulthood. A really magnificent gift book and one that will bring back memories to all mothers. I got this to share with my daughter and I know that she will share it with her daughter. It is one of those books that you treasure!"
- V.P.
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"Love this book, the pictures, the words of encouragement, the simple common sense stuff. We used it for part of a display for our daughter's wedding."
- N.A.
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"A book I want my daughters to read, and their daughters to read. My mother and father gave me this book, and I will always cherish it."
- C.J.
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"Thank you for this beautiful inspiration for all daughters everywhere. I sent it to my daughter who is 20 today... states everything I have taught and want her to do and believe in. Thanks for giving me the perfect birthday card to send her across the miles!"
- B.C.
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"It was a birthday gift from my mom, I turn 44 tomorrow :) and it just shot straight to my heart! I hang on to every word you've written, as each page turned. So powerful, so empowering, truly inspiring. You have a beautiful gift for words that is truly a blessing! Thank you for sharing!"
- C.C.
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"Notes To My Daughter is such a heartwarming tribute to our daughters. I gave it to my precious daughter today on her 21st birthday!"
- O.B.
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"All this book says - I couldn't have said it better! Thank you!"
- S. F.
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"My daughter recently turned 21 and I was looking for something to tell her how much I love and believe in her... and how she needs to truly believe in herself. I read this and sobbed but not from sadness. I was so moved by the beautiful message, it was powerful and poignant. I immediately sent it to her with the hope that 'your' words, expressed in such a beautiful way, will inspire her to be the wonderful woman I know she is and be the wind that helps her take flight. I also have to say that it touched my own wounded soul and sparked a light in my heart I never received in my youth. Thank you ever so much for giving us a visual of true love."
- H.B.
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"My mom sent this book to me and it just made my day. I am 25 years old and she made me cry like her little girl again."
- B.M.
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"Thank you so much for saying so beautifully what every mother feels and would like to say to her daughter. I cried when I read it for it spoke from my heart as well. I sent it to my daughter on her 17th birthday, truly one of the most blessed days of my life. Thank you for helping me to express that to her."
- C.B.
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"All the things I want to say to my daughters wrapped in beautiful pictures and words."
- D. G.
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"A Beautiful Gift
I ordered this book in the hopes it would make a good gift for my daughter for her graduation. The book is absolutely lovely and I can't wait to give it to her. It's done simply in black and white with high quality materials and has plenty of room inside the cover and over the first couple pages to add your sentiments.
It can be difficult sometimes to capture our feelings and share them with our children but Notes To My Daughter is perfect. It is filled with words of wisdom, things a mother wants to tell her daughter, covering everything from respecting and loving yourself to caring for and giving dignity to others to living and loving every moment. But it's not a lecture and it doesn't have to fit in one conversation or one card. The words are there for her to pull out and read throughout her life and her journey, waiting for the time she is ready to receive them.
I think it makes a perfect gift for a mother to give a daughter as she grows up and moves out into the world."
- S.F.
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READER TESTIMONIALS:
"Notes To My Baby contains some of the most beautiful and inspiring words. As a Mother awaiting my first child, the words spoke volumes to me (as tears rolled down my cheeks). It is as if she speaks the words that are on your mind. This book should be on every mother's registry!"
- N.C.
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"Notes To My Baby gave me an opportunity to reflect and connect with my unborn child. The book develops and strengthens the bond between expectant mother and baby-to-be."
- J.L.
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"After receiving the exciting news that my daughter was expecting her first child, I knew immediately what I wanted to gift her for her baby shower. Vesna has penned and expressed so eloquently well every mother's thoughts and dreams from the depths of her heart in her book, Notes To My Baby. This is truly a treasured gift that will be cherished and can be passed down through generations."
- T.W.
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"Notes To My Baby - I Love You Already is a gift to mothers and a present to the posterity of those who are yet unborn."
- K.N.
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"I have given this book as a gift to Mothers-to-Be and new Mothers and Grandmothers. They have shared with me their appreciation of what is more than a beautiful book. It is a collection of reflections of their own thoughts and feelings. It is a gift you should give to yourself."
- C.B.
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"This beautiful book gives mothers comfort, support, inspiration and a welcome place to share their own aspirations for Baby and Motherhood."
- S.M.
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"Your books are amazing. My daughter has hers on her bedside table and revisits it often. I am sitting here teary-eyed having looked through them again."
- L.T.
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"In the past few months I had five nieces expecting! Notes To My Baby was the perfect gift!"
- B.P.
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"Before gifting this book to my niece, I read it cover to cover myself. Being over 60 and no longer in my childbearing years I was a little saddened that I could not experience again one of the most beautiful, happiest, and fulfilling moments in a woman's life - Notes To My Baby captured it all!"
- N.H.
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"I just got back from catching up for coffee with my assistant from work who last summer I had given her a signed book as she was expecting a grandchild. She told me just this morning how her daughter sits and reads it with her baby boy now and she expressed how the book makes her think about motherhood in ways she didn't expect!"
- T.F.
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