What a Wonderful World

Title: What a Wonderful World
Author: George David Weiss and Bob Thiele (1967)
Illustrated: Ashley Bryan (1995)
Published: Atheneum Books for Young Readers, New York
Summary: 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 songs by George David Weiss and Bob Thiele, made by the great Louis Armstrong?
Age level: Primary (4-8)
Strength: I really love the colors in this book and how Ashley Bryan interpretted this song. In different frames there are different themes in the form of a puppetshow. The colors and the designs are remarkable. There is a mixture of both wavy, straight, and circular lines that make the picture so beautiful. Some pages have close-ups of the puppet-show, and then it goes outward to show the whole landscape (on two pages), showing the land and animals when it comes to "And I think to myself, what a wonderful world." My favorite pages are when three pairs of hands hold up a great, big sun with the lines "the bright, blessed day" The color contrast between the warm colors and a little bit of blue is amazing, while on the second page shows the cool colors representing night (with the moon and the stars on sticks). Even Louis Armstrong makes an appearance on some of the pages!
Concerns: I really have no concerns for this book.
Comments: This is a wonderful story that has a great message about unity and harmony. Especially with the mixture of colors, children will love this book. It is very heart warming.