This is My Song: A Collection of Gospel Music for the Family [Hardcover]

Vy Higginsen (Author), Brenda Joysmith (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 6 and up | Grade Level: 1 and up

Illustrated in full color with black-and-white photographs. Gospel music has long been a major part of African American culture, and this gorgeous book captures its unique spirit in words, music, photographs, and dazzling artwork. In her introduction, Vy Higginsen traces gospel's roots:  from the hymns and spirituals sung by slaves in the 19th century to the musical flavor of jazz and blues, and above all, the energy and spontaneity of group singing in church. Her account is supplemented by an album of archival photographs that document gospel, from 1930s Chicago to the stars of today.  The body of the book features 30 songs that have become standards in the gospel repertoire, in authentic original arrangements for piano.  The songs are complemented by Brenda Joysmith's lavish original paintings that beautifully convey the essence and experience of gospel music.  

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Heavenly tunes are the soulful mainstay of two new fall publications. Crown's This Is My Song! A Collection of Gospel Music for the Family by Vy Higginsen, illus. by Brenda Joysmith, features the scores and lyrics to 30 gospel standards, realistic illustrations and extensive front matter that documents African American gospel ($25, all ages ISBN 0-517-59492-7 Sept.); Wade and Cheryl Hudson's How Sweet the Sound, with atmospheric illustrations by Floyd Cooper, showcases lyrics from gospels and songs that spotlight key periods in African American history, from "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot" to James Brown's "Say it Loud, I'm Black and I'm Proud" (Scholastic, $15.95, ages 3-8 ISBN 0-590-48030-8 Oct.).
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

Grade 1 Up?A collection of 30 standard gospel songs. "Amazing Grace," "He's Got the Whole World in His Hands," "It Is Well with My Soul," and "What a Friend" are among the selections included, all of which are arranged by Wesley Naylor. Higginsen's introduction explains and defines the nature of gospel music and what it has meant to African Americans. Professor Thomas A. Dorsey, Mahalia Jackson, Dinah Washington, James Cleveland, and Whitney Houston are just a few of the individuals included in the black-and-white "Gospel Photo Album." Touching and inspiring quotations from singers, composers, songwriters, and scholars are sprinkled throughout. The book's best feature, though, is the beautifully rendered oil-pastel illustrations. Joysmith's drawings, especially those featuring children, are particularly appealing. The author states that her intent here is "to document and preserve...the rich cultural heritage of gospel music." She has done so in this lovely book.?Robin Works Davis, Hurst Public Library, TX
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 6 and up
  
• Hardcover: 95 pages
• Publisher: Crown Publishers; First Edition edition (September 26, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0517594927
• ISBN-13: 978-0517594926
• Product Dimensions: 10.9 x 8.8 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #978,976 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great music w/ beautiful pictures, July 30, 2003

By 

here now (AL) - See all my reviews

This review is from: This is My Song: A Collection of Gospel Music for the Family (Hardcover)

Very soulful book. 30 songs that are often song in the black church such as "It is well, "Lay my burden down," "Amazing Grace," "Yes, Jesus loves me" "Old time Religion." Illustrations are wonderful. In order to play the songs, you must be more than a beginning musican.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful pictures and fantastic music!, November 4, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: This is My Song: A Collection of Gospel Music for the Family: (1995 Horn Book Fanfare Book) (Hardcover)

This book has 30 of the best loved Gospel songs of our centruy - from Deep River and I Need Thee Every Hour to Blessed Assurance and Jesus Lifted Me. The arrangements are clever and interesting - great fun to sing. The music is not for beginners. Accompanying most songs are absolutely delightful pastel pictures of Afro-American/black people singing. The faces are filled with joy and praise, deep feeling. Each picture captures a moment of worship with honesty. The combination of pictures and music makes this book a keeper. I will use it in my pastoral charge to teach my (all white) congregations about joyful singing.