What simpler way could there be to express to children the beauty and the harmony in the world around them than through the lyrics of this song by George David Weiss and Bob Thiele, made famous by the great Louis Armstrong? And what better visual accompaniment than the bright colorful artwork by award-winning Ashley Bryan depicting children of many backgrounds (and Louis Armstrong himself) performing a puppet show that brings the lyrics to life. Here is a book of brightness, wonder, and hope to be shared by all.
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Book Description
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Editorial Reviews
From School Library Journal
PreSchool-Grade 2?Those of us familiar with the music of Louis Armstrong may cringe somewhat at this earnest, albeit colorful interpretation of his famous song. Bryan's vibrant, neon-colored illustrations tell a story of kids making puppets that will act out the lyrics?"I see skies of blue and clouds of white, the bright, blessed day, the dark, sacred night." Multicultural puppets and "Satchmo" dance away as the children behind the stage wave clouds, flowers, rainbows, and other props. The usual picture-book crowd is too young to know of Louis Armstrong or his nickname, and those who are old enough and do know of him may not especially want to think of him as a puppet. The song is a celebration of the world and its varied inhabitants and each page in the book reflects this, but all of these well-meaning parts?the lyrics that express a true emotion; the bright, upbeat illustrations; and the celebration of diversity?don't make a successful whole.?Jane Marino, Scarsdale Public Library,
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.
From Booklist
Ages 4^-8. Made famous by the late Louis Armstrong, this Weiss and Thiele song is interpreted in carnival colors by Bryan. A group of multiracial children use a puppet stage with banners flying and puppets (including a Louis Armstrong lookalike) in a wide variety of hues to dramatize the songs' lyrics. Smiling children, glowing yellows and pinks, and brilliantly colored pastoral settings make this more than a tribute to Armstrong, to whom it is dedicated. In the deft hands of artist Bryan, it is a song of joy from the lyricists who wrote it, the man who sang it, and the artist who envisioned it. Janice Del Negro
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
25 of 25 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Hardcover
The lyrics to the song, "What a Wonderful World" by David Weiss and Bob Thiele come to life as Ashley Bryan imagines a wonderful world and creates this image in the form of a puppet show. Through the puppet show and the bright colorful illustrations the young audience is captured and can easily relate. It is a great book for young children! It is a book of hope for children and the world!
Note to teachers: This book is great for teaching diversity. Use the book and set it to the music of Louis Armstrong. The children will love it and adults will be moved. Let your children create props for their own puppet show or let children illustrate the book and put together for a class book. Then use Louis Armstrong's music again with the children's class book.
22 of 22 people found the following review helpful
By Carson Kelty
Format:Hardcover
This book is a joyful, moving tribute to Louis Armstrong and our wonderful world. My kids loved it and it brought me to tears. The words explode with emotion in the colorful illustrations. It is almost as good as hearing Satchmo singing that song. And - like the song - when it's over, you think to yourself, "Isn't it great to be alive!" My only criticism: The book should come packaged with Armstrong's recording.
12 of 12 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
This is a fantastic book! My six and three year old children are already on their second copy - we wore out the first! Both of my daughters love to read it - actually sing it - over, and over, and over. They're fascinated by the pictures as well.
Of course, once they learned to sing the song, it was so easy to introduce them to the music of Louis Armstrong. This book was the perfect bridge. Now my six year old asks me to play "Lewis" for her when we're in the car.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
What a Positive Outlook to the World!
I love this book, especially when viewed with the audio sung by Louie Armstrong, What a Wonderful World. I found the music in a Kenny G album.
Published 8 days ago by Grandma
5.0 out of 5 stars
Beautiful!
This book is just lovely! Colorful drawings on each page with just a fragment of text. Not too hard to sing, and our little one delights in all the animals painted within.
Published 24 days ago by E. R.
5.0 out of 5 stars
Learning the song for a performance
I am using this to teach my pre-k class the words to the song to sing for a graduation day performance.
Published 29 days ago by Nancy Weber
5.0 out of 5 stars
Perfect way to teach children to sing this song!
This is beautifully illustrated in a simple way so that children can learn the words just by looking at the pictures as they sing with someone else who is reading it aloud.
Published 4 months ago by V. A. Sawyer
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great illustrations
I often give this book as a gift. I love the illustrations and the sentiment, especially in today's harsh world.
Published 5 months ago by J. Hintz
5.0 out of 5 stars
great choice
This is a delightful book. You will break out in a big smile as soon as you start reading the first page. Read more
Published 10 months ago by df
5.0 out of 5 stars
17-month old son's favorite book
I initially borrowed a copy from my local public library. My 17-month-old son loves the book so much that I had to buy one. It's his favorite bedtime book. Read more
Published 12 months ago by iron woman
5.0 out of 5 stars
Its a wonderful world
i gave this book to every guest at my birthday party...Everyone loved it. Young and old. beautiful art and great message.
Published 15 months ago by Naomi G. Tamerin
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great Book, My son loves to point out things in the pictures!
My son absolutely loves this book. He loves to point out the various things in the pictures. The pages are fully of color and it's just a treat to read this book to my son!
Published 19 months ago by Richard M Chaney
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Best Toddler book Ever!!
Positive messages on EVERY PAGE.
We see flowers, trees, people .. all different colors!
It's a beautiful, wonderful world.
100 Stars!
We see flowers, trees, people .. all different colors!
It's a beautiful, wonderful world.
100 Stars!
Published 23 months ago by Anon-e-mouse
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