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What a Wonderful World
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 A...more
Hardcover, 32 pages
Published
March 1st 1995
by Atheneum Books for Young Readers
(first published January 1994)
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Feb 19, 2009
Maria K.
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
anyone looking for a special gift
Recommended to Maria K. by:
Kate Ramos
Another one of my favorite children's books for it's simply wonderful message and bright, fun illustrations. It was given to my oldest child by his Godmother on his baptismal day. What makes it most special is the inscription she wrote inside:
"Dear Ian,
What a wonderful world! Today you are surrounded by family and friends, people who love you. Wherever you go, wherever you'll be, there will always be someone who cares for you...is thinking of you. We'll watch you grow and live your life. We'll b...more
"Dear Ian,
What a wonderful world! Today you are surrounded by family and friends, people who love you. Wherever you go, wherever you'll be, there will always be someone who cares for you...is thinking of you. We'll watch you grow and live your life. We'll b...more
Ashley Bryan could have just literally illustrated the words to the song that Louis Armstrong made famous and we would have had a good book. Instead, she added meaning by giving the song a setting. In the front pages we see a group of multicultural children preparing for a puppet show. The "trees of green" and "red roses too" are among their props, but they also have a puppet Louis Armstrong. Then the real Louis Armstrong shows up to see the puppet show and inspires the young puppeteers. Bright...more
Beautiful colorful illustrations that are suitable for programs on unity, diversity, friendship and love. I don't read the book when I use it in storytime. I use the song on "Jazz for Kids" #11. http://www.amazon.com/Jazz-Kids-Sing-...
Parents and teachers have been moved when I have used this book during my storytimes.
Parents and teachers have been moved when I have used this book during my storytimes.
Age of readership: Ages 4-8
Genre: Picture Book
Diversity: Multicultural
Illustrations: Colorful drawings
My response to the book: The author pays tribute to Louis Armstrong by illustrating the words from one of his popular songs with children from around the world setting up a puppet show to express how the variety of people, animals and landscapes makes this a wonderful world.
Curricular/Programming connections: Use this book as part of a unit on cultural diversity.
Genre: Picture Book
Diversity: Multicultural
Illustrations: Colorful drawings
My response to the book: The author pays tribute to Louis Armstrong by illustrating the words from one of his popular songs with children from around the world setting up a puppet show to express how the variety of people, animals and landscapes makes this a wonderful world.
Curricular/Programming connections: Use this book as part of a unit on cultural diversity.
Apr 23, 2013
D'metria
rated it
3 of 5 stars
Shelves:
colors,
ece-3601,
family,
friendship,
light,
narratives,
repetition,
rhyming,
science,
team-work,
acceptance,
culture,
african-american-students
I think that this book is a good teacher of acceptance regardless of ethnicity or culture, this book also teaches colors. There are some science aspects within the story, when there is a mention of night compared to day. There is repetition within the story as well as rhyming words. The book is also told in 1st person, which I believe to be another teaching point.
Apr 21, 2011
Gabriela Straw
added it
A story book put to song. A message of peace, and unity for children to understand and see the everyone needs to work together to create a happy peaceful and safe environment. You can chose to see the glass half empty or chose to see it half full, it's all about your perspective. It's a great way to present culture, and unity to children.
This is a wonderful children's book. It teaches children how to appreciate all their surroundings. As well as appreciating their surroundings, it hints to kids how wonderful it is to observe the world around them. The illustrations are great, and I would definitely recommend the book in a young children's class.
This book illustrates the lyrics of the song "What a wonderful world." I think this could work well with a music theme. It also provides an opportunity to celebrate the diversity of the world. The pictures are vividly colored and the text is simple. This book could become a sing along when combined with the song.
I remember dancing to this song with my grandfather... This joyfully illustrated book is a delightful way to introduce children to this song of yesteryear. Nice tribute... ever so glad that Louie Armstrong made this song popular so that my grandfather and I could dance to it.
This is a fun, happy book. Students will explore great, colorful pictures. This book is a very inspirational; it lets you see the bright side of the world. The book is also very multicultural involving people from all over the world in the illustrations.
This is another great book on diversity. It incorporates the lyrics from the song "What a Wonderful World". It is about people of all races coming together and creating a wonderful world of peace. This is a good book for grades 1-3. It's a great way to start off a lesson about culture or diversity.
I love the bright pictures! It brings to life the story o a timeless song. This could open many many conversations and lessons for kids! Lessons about diversity use of poem... Jazz music history.........
This book is super rad!
The end
This book is super rad!
The end
Genre: Picture Book
Audience: K-4
Theme: Appreciation of the world in which we live
Curricular Uses: Read-Aloud, Independent Reading, Shared Reading
Reading Level: Early Readers
Literary Elements: Rhyme, Alliteration, Repetition of the phrase "what a wonderful world"
Illustrations: Bright, colorful, illustrations reinforce the text and bring to life the theme of appreciation of the world.
Issues: Accepting differences
Additional Comments: I used this book for my multi modal. Added the song "What a...more
Audience: K-4
Theme: Appreciation of the world in which we live
Curricular Uses: Read-Aloud, Independent Reading, Shared Reading
Reading Level: Early Readers
Literary Elements: Rhyme, Alliteration, Repetition of the phrase "what a wonderful world"
Illustrations: Bright, colorful, illustrations reinforce the text and bring to life the theme of appreciation of the world.
Issues: Accepting differences
Additional Comments: I used this book for my multi modal. Added the song "What a...more
This book is great to read to the students and then discuss the world and how amazing it is. The illustrations are great and a good way to demonstrate the many cultures we have in this world.
I love this book and song! Louis Armstrong is an amazing songwriter and musician. This book can be used to introduce Louis Armstrong and even when teaching about the Harlem Renaissance.
Elaborate in its illustrations, this book praises the world in a wonderful way. It's hard to just read the words, it makes you want to sing to the tune of "What a wonderful world."
Jul 24, 2008
Amy B.
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
children of all ages
Shelves:
multicultural-literature,
picture-books
Weiss, G. (1967). What a wonderful world. New York, NY. Atheneum Books for Young Readers.
The familiar tune will sure strike a memory with anyone who is a fan of Louis Armstrong’s famous lyrics. It the book the illustrations are sure to catch the eye and get children talking about the world in which we live. The award winning illustrator, Bryan, also captures images of Louis and his venture around a world so diverse and wonderful. Children are sure to see themselves represented in the world in th...more
The familiar tune will sure strike a memory with anyone who is a fan of Louis Armstrong’s famous lyrics. It the book the illustrations are sure to catch the eye and get children talking about the world in which we live. The award winning illustrator, Bryan, also captures images of Louis and his venture around a world so diverse and wonderful. Children are sure to see themselves represented in the world in th...more
Colorful illustrations accompany the well known Louis Armstrong. It has pictures of the singer/ trumpeter included
After discussing Louis Armstrongs life, students created illustrations to the words of "What a Wonderful World"
Another beautiful book that I show my students every year along with Louis Armstrong's recording of the song
This is a must have book for any child. Beautiful illustrations picturing a multi-cultural world in peace.
Love the illustrations, and the kids love having me sing during the storytime.
A brightly colored book to sing a long to or to sign along with while reading.
Wish they'll release a board book for this one. Toddlers love it too.
One of my kids read/sang this today...*tear* Love it
A beautifully illustrated version of a favorite song.
Why does Daddy read this one in a funny low voice?
Love using this with the song!
Drawings set to the lyrics.
It was really fun
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