Day Is Done (Peter Yarrow Songbook) [Hardcover]

Peter Yarrow (Author), Melissa Sweet (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 6, 2009 | Age Level: 3 and up | Series: Peter Yarrow Songbook

Peter Yarrow follows the blockbuster success of Puff, the Magic Dragon with a picture book version of his beautiful song, “Day Is Done.”

As night falls, animal and human parents everywhere tenderly tuck their children into bed. In the darkness, each child—raccoon, doe, rabbit, field mouse, and a little boy—wonders: Will I be safe? Will you be there for me? And every mommy and daddy responds with the comforting words of Yarrow’s refrain: “I am here.” 

Caldecott Honor-winning artist Melissa Sweet has created gorgeous images that celebrate the loving bond between parent and child, as well as the connection between all creatures of the earth.

 

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

PreSchool-Grade 2—Peter (Yarrow), Paul, and Mary's familiar song isn't a natural fit for a picture book like Puff, the Magic Dragon (Sterling, 2007). The lyrics, such as "You shall inherit what humankind has done" and "Can you see what we all disguise/through your loving eyes?" are too sophisticated for the intended audience and the refrain "when the day is done" is awkward to read aloud repeatedly. Charming watercolor and mixed-media illustrations depict animal parents comforting their children, and the last scene shows a father lovingly tucking his son into bed. While this is a beautiful package, with a lovely CD including "Day Is Done," "I Know Where I'm Going," and "Dona Dona Dona" recorded by Peter Yarrow and his daughter Bethany, the audience will be limited to adults nostalgic for the music and its message.—Rachel Kamin, North Suburban Synagogue Beth El, Highland Park, IL END

About the Author

Peter Yarrow is a member of the iconic ’60’s folk trio Peter, Paul & Mary. Along with Lenny Lipton, he is the author of the beloved song and now hit book Puff, the Magic Dragon. In addition to extensive touring and performing, Peter is active in Operation Respect, an organization that promotes anti-bullying awareness in schools across the country.

 

Melissa Sweet has illustrated more than 40 children’s books, including the 2008 Caldecott Honor winner A River of Words, which was also listed as a New York Times Top Ten Children’s Book of the Year. The New York Times Book Review listed Carmine: A Little More Red (Houghton Mifflin, 2005)—which she both wrote and illustrated—among its Ten Best Illustrated Books of the Year, and The Boy Who Drew Birds (Houghton Mifflin, 2004) was a New York Public Library Best Book for 2004.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 3 and up
  
• Hardcover: 24 pages
• Publisher: Sterling; Har/Com edition (October 6, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 140274806X
• ISBN-13: 978-1402748066
• Product Dimensions: 11 x 11.8 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #704,141 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Lovely story with music CD by Peter Yarrow, September 20, 2009

By 

M. Talalay "Edamommy - Mom, Reviewer, Writer,... (Lutherville, MD United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Day Is Done (Peter Yarrow Songbook) (Hardcover)

Kiwi Magazine Review:

When the day is done, all will be well. Peter Yarrow croons a lovely tune from father to son, proclaiming that the end of the day brings resolution to the problems of the day. The illustrations are sweet and upbeat, to counter the sad tone of the song. This book just feels like a great big hug after a trying day.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This book will give you a sense of peace when you listen to the CD and you'll be totally awed by the artwork!, December 6, 2009

By 

D. Fowler "Dragonfly77" (Vermont) - See all my reviews
(TOP 50 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Day Is Done (Peter Yarrow Songbook) (Hardcover)

Among the trees and flowers a mama bear hugged her cub close as a pair dragonflies flitted through the air. The little cub's eyes were wide with fright and as she cuddled him she asked what was scaring him. She reassured him by stating that if it was the sound of "thunder in the distance" she would stay close. Other animals in the forest were staying close to their young as well to give them reassurance and protect them. The deer was staying close to her fawn and the mother rabbit bounded through a field with her little bunny. A bird approached her nest with food for her three young babies. "All will be well when the day is done."

A mother raccoon and a mother mouse talked about the woes of the world as their babies nestled close to their bodies. Some possums looked out from a hole in a nearby tree and some butterflies flitted near a pond filled with sweet pink lilies. A few ladybugs went about their business on some leaves as the mothers talked to them. In another part of the forest two more mothers, a frog and a fox, could be seen with their young. The sun had set and the beauty of the forest could be seen beneath the star studded sky. Through a light filled window a father could be seen with his young son. The boy hugged his teddy bear as his father asked, "Tell me why you're smiling, my son. Is there a secret you can tell everyone?" The wise old owl sat in a tree with her baby waiting for the answer.

When I first read through this book, I had to ask myself where the book was going because I was quite surprised at one section in the book. In particular it was these few lines: "Do you ask why I'm sighing, my son? You shall inherit what humankind has done. In a world filled with sorrow and woe, if you ask me why, why is this so? I really don't know." I must admit I was quite taken aback to see this sort of thing in a children's book, but when I read the back material and listen to the CD I realized the intent of this book and had one of those "ahhhhh" moments.

The book is intended to reflect our childlike spirit and "early acceptance of one another." Children have an understanding of some things that are lost on adults. Only then did I begin to appreciate the true beauty of this book. After I sat down again and read the book with the music playing in the background I felt a sense of peace and was totally awed by both the music and the artwork. Those who lived during the turbulent sixties will be totally awed by this book because "all will be well when the day is done."

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Will be beloved by a whole new generation of parents and children, October 19, 2009

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Day Is Done (Peter Yarrow Songbook) (Hardcover)

"Day Is Done" is a sensitively illustrated children's book and three-song CD of the famous song by the same title written by Peter Yarrow. Poignant lyrics, soothing paintings of animal parent and child figures and nighttime scenes make "Day Is Done" a beautiful, classic bedtime book to share between parent and child. In addition to the title song as sung originally by Peter, Paul, and Mary in the 60's, the accompanying CD includes the songs "I know Where I'm Going" and "Dona Dona Dona" recorded by Peter Yarrow (of Peter, Paul and Mary, folk singers trio of 60's and more recent fame) and his daughter, Bethany Yarrow, a combination American/African/Caribbean style folk singer who performs with Rufus Cappadocia as Bethany and Rufus. This past month saw the death of Mary Travers, performer in the original trio. It is wonderful to see the continuing legacy of this creative group in this new format. "Day Is Done" will be beloved by a whole new generation of parents and children, fathers and sons, and is appropriate for children age 3-7.