I Hear America Singing!: Folksongs for American Families [Library Binding]

Kathleen Krull (Author), Allen Garns (Illustrator)

Book Description

Grade Level: K and up

Originally published as Gonna Sing My Head Off!, this big, colorful songbook is now reissued for the first time with a 23-song CD created especially for it. The book includes 2 of the best-loved American folk songs, with all the lyrics and easy-to-play musical arrangements of the tunes everyone remembers although they may need a little help with the words. From Maine to California, here are ”Michael, Row the Boat Ashore,” “On Top of Old Smoky,” “Home on the Range,” “I’ve Been Working on the Railroad,” “This Land Is Your Land,” to name a few–songs that represent the American spirit and history. With each beautifully illustrated song is a note about its origin.

Editorial Reviews

From the Inside Flap

Originally published as Gonna Sing My Head Off!, this big, colorful songbook is now reissued for the first time with a 23-song CD created especially for it. The book includes 2 of the best-loved American folk songs, with all the lyrics and easy-to-play musical arrangements of the tunes everyone remembers although they may need a little help with the words. From Maine to California, here are ?Michael, Row the Boat Ashore,? ?On Top of Old Smoky,? ?Home on the Range,? ?I?ve Been Working on the Railroad,? ?This Land Is Your Land,? to name a few?songs that represent the American spirit and history. With each beautifully illustrated song is a note about its origin.

Product Details

• Library Binding: 160 pages
• Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers (May 13, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0375925279
• ISBN-13: 978-0375925276
• Product Dimensions: 11.7 x 8.8 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,876,765 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

KATHLEEN KRULL is well known for her innovative, award-winning nonfiction for young readers, which includes the successful Lives of... series. Kathleen Krull lives in San Diego, CA. Visit her at www.kathleenkrull.com AND http://facebook.com/kathleen.krull

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars wonderful buy, September 13, 2004

By 

A reader (Austin) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: I Hear America Singing!: Folksongs for American Families with CD (Treasured Gifts for the Holidays) (Hardcover)

The CD is a family favorite, and the book has gotten our family singing songs we only knew the choruses to. ("Git along little doggies..." what's the rest?) Possibly my all-time best purchase from Amazon.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A musical Taste of American Culture!!!, June 14, 2006

By 

S. Stone "dancing mom" (Martha's Vineyard, MA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: I Hear America Singing!: Folksongs for American Families with CD (Treasured Gifts for the Holidays) (Hardcover)

We Loved this book, Not only because it includes each song's sheet music and a brief history of the origin of the song but the C.D. is amazing!!! The singers and musicians are superb. it features authentic mandolin, banjo and fiddle playing and is not sung in a patronizing mannor you hear on so many kid's C.D.s Our family from 2 to 46 love it and sing the songs over and over. High quality item for sure!

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful Songs--not the best range for children., September 22, 2004

By 

Norm Cash "for fun" (Ferndale, MI USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: I Hear America Singing!: Folksongs for American Families with CD (Treasured Gifts for the Holidays) (Hardcover)

I bought this book on a bit of a whim. It is a wonderful collection of American folksongs. The arrangements are very simplistic. Chords are included by letter name. The book is attractive. The first verse is within the grand staff, the rest are at the end of the song.

For teaching elementary age children there are two glitches:
There are page turns on many of the songs even though the songs are generally quite short. The keys are much too low in many instances, which is unnatural and unhealthy for young singing voices. Many go as low as "a or g" below middle "c". So, you'll be well off to transpose. Hopefully, you can transpose on the fly.

Other than that, the book is quite nice.