Customer Reviews

Halley Came to Jackson

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

As a writer myself, with my brother being an illustrator, I wish we would have created this! My younger children follow the beautiful illustrations in the book, while my older ones are learning to read to it, as I am driving for the umpteenth time somewhere listening to the beautiful song! I sing it to my children when they go to bed. My kids are from 2-8, and I've passed it along to their schools. Its one of those great ones for the whole family to share and to give to others for gifts. Thanks Ms. Carpenter! Job well done!

The book form of Mary Chapin's song, _Halley Came to Jackson_, is a beautifully illustrated work, which matches her exquisite imagery in her song, the basis for the book's words. Even the opening cover has musical instruments, denoting the book's tie to the musician's world of the author, Mary Chapin Carpenter. The colors and crispness of the illustrations, by Dan Andreasen, bring to life the story of the visitation of Halley's Comet to a small southern town, and the interest of the town's residents in the comet! Ms. Eudora Welty, the writer who inspired Mary Chapin's lyrics to her song, seems to be honored in one of the page's drawings, and Mary Chapin's beloved golden retrievers are pictured throughout the drawings, as honored "characters" in the story. An added bonus to the book is a cassette of Mary Chapin's version of the book, set to music. Although I may not be a "young child", this book is a gorgeous one to enjoy viewing and reading, for kids of all ages. This book is similar to Mary Chapin's previous children's book, _Dreamland_, also based on her musical song version of the same name;_Dreamland_ is a more generally illustrated book, without the specific storyline present in _Halley..._ and without specific characters depicted(Ms. Welty, the beloved retrievers, & the depiction of Jackson, MS and its residents). _Halley Came to Jackson_ is truly an exquisite book with a beautiful story and gorgeous illustrations-a must have for book lovers!!

I will admit that I love MC Carpenter's music but I had not heard the song until I bought the book for my 3 yr old. While it's true that he doesn't get the passage of time connection, he simply loves the sound of the words and the pictures. I love the sweet story. Soft and comforting are the adjectives that fit both the books illustrations and the song itself. My son plays the song over and over as he gets ready to go to bed. It's one of those books that will hold a special place for us as he grows older.

This beautiful story refers to writer Eudora Welty, who was born in 1909 and whose father held her on the porch under the night sky when Halley's Comet was visible. It is told here with Mary Chapin Carpenter's lovely song lyrics and Dan Andreasen's excellent illustrations. It would be nice to see a reprinting of the book with a CD of the song and an explanation about Welty. The song has recently been re-recorded by Emmylou Harris to honor another American writer who has ties to Halley's Comet: Mark Twain. Mark Twain: Words & Music combines spoken word and song to tell Twain's life story, which includes his birth under the comet in 1835 and his death in 1910. This book DOES work as a children's book, but adults should have the background story to go with it. It should prompt a lot of good discussion at bedtime or anytime.

I loved the song first. Mary Chapin Carpenter sang me and my wife through our courtship. I am English, Tracy's American by birth (and southern by the grace of god). Tracy bought me the book for Christmas. Reading it and listening to the tape reminds me of when we first met. Now we live in Alabama, I look up in the sky, see the same stars my family in the UK see and the song seems to talk to me about that too.

Inspired by the writings of Eudora Welty, Mary Chapin Carpenter wrote the song "HALLEY CAME TO JACKSON". Like many songs, someone decided the lyrics to the song would make a good children's book. Thus, HALLEY CAME TO JACKSON is an illustrated book of lyrics. But what a beautiful book it is! The story in the book revolves around a father and his baby girl living in Jackson, Mississippi in 1910 during the visit of Halley's Comet. The illustrations are spectacular, capturing the warmth of the small town and a father's love for his daughter. The illustrations would make wonderful pictures to hang on a wall somewhere. I picked this book up because it reminded me of the times my family and I went to see Halley's Comet in 1985-1986. I'd recommend the book for fans of Carpenter's or for anyone who has seen the Comet.

This is an amazing book and tape. The illustrations go beautifully with Mary Chapin Carpenter's words. My kindergarten class loves it as do I. I bought an extra copy to keep at home.

I've bought and given away 16 copies of this magnificent book. With its glorious pictures and haunting song, parents love it as much as their tots.

Comets, babies, dogs... this book has it all. A wonderful story with lovely illustrations, this is a beautiful book to share with the much-loved children in your life. My neice had me read it to her over and over. She especially enjoyed spotting the comet and the dogs in the illustrations. Also glad to introduce my neice to a great author (Welty) and a great singer/songwriter (Carpenter) as such an early age!

Nicely executed, with wonderful pictures, but I wonder if this one isn't more appreciated by adults. My little 2 year old doesn't get the the underlying message. Maybe when she gets older.