Angels Watching Over Me [Hardcover]

Julia Durango (Adapter), Elisa Kleven (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 27, 2007 | Age Level: 2 and up

Every hour...

every minute...

every second...

angels...

watching...

over...

me.

What better way to reassure a young child than with the words of a soft, soothing spiritual exuberantly expanded by author Julia Durango and intricately illuminated by award-winning artist Elisa Kleven.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

PreSchool-Grade 5–This is simply a glorious book. Basing her text on a familiar African-American spiritual, Durango adds her own verses to the refrain: All night, all day…/angels watching over me. Kleven interprets these words by depicting joyous celestial beings of every description (a lion, an elephant, boys and girls of different cultures, small animals, birds), all circling together holding hands against a bright blue sky and looking down at the colorful world. The narrative and artwork burst with life, color, and happiness, as a young boy greets a new day (Day begins, dawn breaks anew./Sun wakes up, I wake up too) and spends it outdoors enjoying nature with the creatures of the Earth, while occasionally floating into the sky to soar with the angels for the song's refrain. In the evening (Grass says rest, I curl up snug./Dusk surrounds me like a hug), one of his new friends gently carries him home to sleep. The breathtaking folk-style illustrations are fashioned with watercolor, ink, colored pencil, and collage. Text and pictures radiate a sense of peace, security, and oneness with all living things. The words my Lord have been omitted from the refrain, and there are no references to specific religious beliefs, making the book a beautiful nondenominational paean to creation and the Earth's many blessings.–Judith Constantinides, formerly at East Baton Rouge Parish Main Library, LA
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About the Author

Julia Durango resides in Ottawa, Illinois, where she wrote a weekly book review column for children. She is the mother of two sons and is the author of Dream Hop, illustrated by Jared Lee,  as well as Pest Fest, illustrated by Kurt Cyrus. Her work also includes Go-Go Gorillas, a sequel to Cha-Cha Chimps, both illustrated by Eleanor Taylor and Dream Away, illustrated by Robert Goldstrom. Her first novel The Walls of Cartagena was a Junior Library Guild Selection. Her most recent novel is entitled Sea of the Dead. She is a contributor the Three Silly Chicks blog and lives in Ottawa, Illinois.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 2 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books For Young Readers (March 27, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0689862520
• ISBN-13: 978-0689862526
• Product Dimensions: 12.3 x 9.7 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #358,846 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Julia Durango is the author of picture books, adventure novels, and poetry for kids of all ages. Along with fellow children's book authors Andrea Beaty and Carolyn Crimi, Julia is also a founding member of www.ThreeSillyChicks.com, a book review blog featuring funny books for kids.

Julia lives with her family in Ottawa, Illinois, where she works as an elementary school librarian. You can read more about her at www.JuliaDurango.com.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Perfect for Babies, Easter and spring!!, March 28, 2007

By 

Tracie Vaughn Zimmer (Charlotte, NC) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Angels Watching Over Me (Hardcover)

This is the most beautiful picture book to come along in years. Each page is a feast for the eyes and lyrical for the ear. Durango has added new stanzas to the traditional slave spiritual "All Night, All Day" to soothe new generations of souls. If I have to choose a favorite line: "Bird says sing, I hum a tune./Cloud floats by, a lace balloon." Perfectly lovely!

Whimsical illustrations in a palette of delicious spring colors will tempt readers to study each picture again and again.

Buy for a baby shower, Easter gift, or just a splurge on something beautiful to treasure.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Love This Book, May 26, 2007

By 

L. Nicoli (Illinois) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Angels Watching Over Me (Hardcover)

"Angels Watching Over Me" is a beautifully written children's book of assurance and discovery. The illustrations are captivating. It is a wonderful book.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars What a nice book!, September 9, 2007

By 

Penny (Montgomery, IL United States) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Angels Watching Over Me (Hardcover)

This is a great bedtime story book. I love the illustrations that Elisa Klevin did. She's one of my favorite authors and illustrators. The book is done in such a comforting way. It's neat to get cozy and read it before bed or maybe when a child has been emotionally hurt. Good to cuddle with.