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The Song of Francis
Francis is so full of God's love that he wants to sing His praises. His glorious singing inspires birds of every color, and even the sun and moon, to join him in joyful celebration. Tomie dePaola's simple text and vibrant illustrations bring the spirit of Saint Francis of Assisi to life for even the youngest children. And he reminds us how sweet it is to rejoice and give thanks for life and love.
32 pages, Hardcover
First published February 5, 2009
About the author
Tomie dePaola
458 books912 followersTomie dePaola (pronounced Tommy da-POW-la) was best known for his books for children.
He had a five-decade writing and illustrating career during which he published more than 270 books, including 26 Fairmount Avenue, Strega Nona, and Meet the Barkers.
Tomie dePaola and his work have been recognized with the Caldecott Honor Award, the Newbery Honor Award, the Laura Ingalls Wilder Award, and the New Hampshire Governor's Arts Award of Living Treasure.
He had a five-decade writing and illustrating career during which he published more than 270 books, including 26 Fairmount Avenue, Strega Nona, and Meet the Barkers.
Tomie dePaola and his work have been recognized with the Caldecott Honor Award, the Newbery Honor Award, the Laura Ingalls Wilder Award, and the New Hampshire Governor's Arts Award of Living Treasure.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews
December 2, 2022
Simply beautiful - a family book that is sure to become generational. Such a simple message; but perhaps that is the problem today - people think that 'simple' and 'stupid' are somehow the same. I would argue it is the very opposite; we try to complicate everything we do. This book reminds us of this in a very simple way.
February 19, 2015
Simple and sweet. Would recommend for under 6, although we all enjoyed it.
February 28, 2021
The Song of Francis is definitely for the younger end of the picture book set, with bright colors, naming the colors of the rainbow, and a heavily adapted version of the canticle. A great resource for pre-readers to learn about Francis and his love for the natural world.
October 3, 2012
Tomie dePaola is a children's book author/illustrator that I became familiar with in my youth. He has a vast array of books under his name and thankfully some are with a Christian, if not event Catholic belief which is not always easy to find in the world of picture books. Yet, while it seems almost everyone and list I come in contact with just loves Tomie dePaolo's work, I just seem to find myself a bit ambivalent. This book was a purchase to go along with the recommendation from Memoria Press Junior Kindergarten and honestly, this is the best experience I have ever had and the most beautiful one from Tomie dePaola I have ever seen and it really makes me want to keep him on my to-read list as I'm noticing we are getting several recommendations for his books in the future. Even though it's is not a favorite type of artwork for me to view, the material is there and obviously the quality too. Penguin's Putnum imprint sure does seem to have a winner here with plenty to come.
We are also using from time to time the Tomie dePaola's Mother Goose, although I do not love it and really prefer our replacement of Richard Scarry's Best Mother Goose Ever. With titles coming recommended from Sonlight, Memoria Press, MODG, Seton and more all raving Tomie dePaola as well as even Barnes & Noble online storytime showing his ever popular Strega Nona. It's a learn to love and let it grow on my type of author I believe.
As to specifically referece The Song of Francis as poetry, 'eh I guess that works for this week, but it is an awesome resource to sit back and look at. Just to stop and really examine each of these page of pictures and illustrations. To talk about the colors, each and every color of bird (and reassure my preschooler that yes it says violet and I know it's purple *grin*). She became excited as the birds all joined together and I think that is exactly the type of thing that is wanted from this read. I can honestly say that if I found more absolutely lovely dePaola books like this, I will find myself to be quite a fan as well.
We are also using from time to time the Tomie dePaola's Mother Goose, although I do not love it and really prefer our replacement of Richard Scarry's Best Mother Goose Ever. With titles coming recommended from Sonlight, Memoria Press, MODG, Seton and more all raving Tomie dePaola as well as even Barnes & Noble online storytime showing his ever popular Strega Nona. It's a learn to love and let it grow on my type of author I believe.
As to specifically referece The Song of Francis as poetry, 'eh I guess that works for this week, but it is an awesome resource to sit back and look at. Just to stop and really examine each of these page of pictures and illustrations. To talk about the colors, each and every color of bird (and reassure my preschooler that yes it says violet and I know it's purple *grin*). She became excited as the birds all joined together and I think that is exactly the type of thing that is wanted from this read. I can honestly say that if I found more absolutely lovely dePaola books like this, I will find myself to be quite a fan as well.
May 12, 2012
The Song of Francis by award-winning author and illustrator Tomie dePaola, introduces preschoolers to the joyful spirit of Saint Francis of Assisi. Francis is alone except for a small angel who follows him everywhere and calls him “Little Poor One.” Yet Frances is so filled with the love of God that he begins to sing. “Come and bless the Lord, because the Lord loves you.” The sun and moon and birds of all colors join him in the glorious song. The sun eventually leaves the sky, but God’s love remains in the silence. And Francis promises to sing again tomorrow.
The illustrations in this heart-warming book are as exuberant as the text. DePaola creates a colorful collage on every page by painting watercolor backgrounds on 100% rag bristol paper and adding Avery labels painted with Prismacolor markers. The angels in the story who come to listen to Francis sing all resemble a very young dePaola and might appeal to a wider audience if they were as diverse as the birds and plants and stars. Still, this is a book that all children and parents will love to read together and read again tomorrow.
DePaola carefully crafts his words and art into a story that speaks directly to the hearts of children. A child who is feeling lonely will know that God’s love is always with him. Like Francis, he can surround himself with love by loving everything around him. A child who is feeling happy will naturally celebrate along with Francis. Parents will rejoice in the peaceful, nurturing atmosphere The Song of Francis generates. This is a wonderful read-aloud book for bedtime or anytime. The language is simple enough for young readers to follow and quickly be able to read for themselves. This book is intended for children ages 3-5 years (Putnam Juvenile/Penguin Group website).
Laurie A. Gray
Reprinted from the Christian Library Journal (Vol. XIV, No. 1, February 2010); used with permission.
The illustrations in this heart-warming book are as exuberant as the text. DePaola creates a colorful collage on every page by painting watercolor backgrounds on 100% rag bristol paper and adding Avery labels painted with Prismacolor markers. The angels in the story who come to listen to Francis sing all resemble a very young dePaola and might appeal to a wider audience if they were as diverse as the birds and plants and stars. Still, this is a book that all children and parents will love to read together and read again tomorrow.
DePaola carefully crafts his words and art into a story that speaks directly to the hearts of children. A child who is feeling lonely will know that God’s love is always with him. Like Francis, he can surround himself with love by loving everything around him. A child who is feeling happy will naturally celebrate along with Francis. Parents will rejoice in the peaceful, nurturing atmosphere The Song of Francis generates. This is a wonderful read-aloud book for bedtime or anytime. The language is simple enough for young readers to follow and quickly be able to read for themselves. This book is intended for children ages 3-5 years (Putnam Juvenile/Penguin Group website).
Laurie A. Gray
Reprinted from the Christian Library Journal (Vol. XIV, No. 1, February 2010); used with permission.
March 16, 2009
This was very, very simple. I know it's a picture book, but I like picture books that give just a tad more info than that one did. Still, pretty pictures and a very general but sweet introduction to Saint Francis of Assisi. I liked the focus on singing and love.
September 18, 2012
The illustrations for this book were beautiful. I don't know how true the story was, as I'm not versed in the history of St. Francis, but I think the story is definitely within the spirit of his life.
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April 15, 2009JEPic-deP
June 2, 2009
Beautiful illustrations. Great story
June 22, 2009
Sunday school should be this succinct and lovely.
Read
December 10, 2009"religious, singing, birds, praise, actually rather short"
September 23, 2014
Colorful. Different from DiPaola's usual style.
January 8, 2015
I found this to be extremely poetic with beautiful art. Lovely.
August 29, 2023
The Song of Francis Tomie dePaola
When a friend told me about this book — (I throw coffee beans at her feet in thanksgiving!) — I immediately suspected it was by Tomie dePaola because he has written and illustrated so many picture books about saints. And lo, he did indeed write and illustrate this one. And I all want to do is curl up inside it and adore.
Because I am a cantor at my church, I had to study the U.S. Catholic church’s official teaching on music in worship, a document called Sing to the Lord. One line in it particularly sticks out:
“Music arises out of silence and returns to silence.”
That is exactly how this little book moves. It begins and ends with Francis’ silence. In the middle is his song.
Francis wants to sing “to tell everyone how much God loved them.” His everyone is Brother Sun, Sister Moon, and all the birds. He also sings to the “small angel who followed him everywhere” and then to more angels who come to listen. As his song unspools, the pictures become more colorful. The colors of the birds deepen and diversify. The background light changes from pale pink morning to hot noon to cool blue afternoon to purple evening. With only color, De Paola gives us a song so glorious I can almost hear the notes.
No humans are there when Francis sings. No humans are there to hear when all these blessed ones join in the song. This man, “the Little Poor One,” begins the story in silence and ends it in silence, wanting to sing.
I believe everyone needs to sing “Love, love, love,” the song Francis sings to his everyone. The person I know who does this the best is a man at church named Junior, who is about 6-foot-4. He’s an older fella, and he’s there pretty much every time the church doors are open. After Communion, at every service — whether a small daily Mass or a giant Confirmation service — we sing a cappella the chorus of a hymn titled “O Sacrament Most Holy.” If for some reason there is not a cantor to lead singing, Junior steps up.
Friends, Junior does not have the voice of a cantor or a choir member. He warbles loudly and off-key, and it is absolutely glorious. He pretty much only needs to get out two syllables: “O sa—” and then everyone joins in with “—crament most holy.” He sings with his whole heart. I hope one day to find him leading the heavenly choir.
Perhaps Francis, the Little Poor One, sounded a lot like Junior. We don't know. We do know that at the end of this lovely story, Francis whispers to the angel, "Tomorrow, I shall sing again."
When a friend told me about this book — (I throw coffee beans at her feet in thanksgiving!) — I immediately suspected it was by Tomie dePaola because he has written and illustrated so many picture books about saints. And lo, he did indeed write and illustrate this one. And I all want to do is curl up inside it and adore.
Because I am a cantor at my church, I had to study the U.S. Catholic church’s official teaching on music in worship, a document called Sing to the Lord. One line in it particularly sticks out:
“Music arises out of silence and returns to silence.”
That is exactly how this little book moves. It begins and ends with Francis’ silence. In the middle is his song.
Francis wants to sing “to tell everyone how much God loved them.” His everyone is Brother Sun, Sister Moon, and all the birds. He also sings to the “small angel who followed him everywhere” and then to more angels who come to listen. As his song unspools, the pictures become more colorful. The colors of the birds deepen and diversify. The background light changes from pale pink morning to hot noon to cool blue afternoon to purple evening. With only color, De Paola gives us a song so glorious I can almost hear the notes.
No humans are there when Francis sings. No humans are there to hear when all these blessed ones join in the song. This man, “the Little Poor One,” begins the story in silence and ends it in silence, wanting to sing.
I believe everyone needs to sing “Love, love, love,” the song Francis sings to his everyone. The person I know who does this the best is a man at church named Junior, who is about 6-foot-4. He’s an older fella, and he’s there pretty much every time the church doors are open. After Communion, at every service — whether a small daily Mass or a giant Confirmation service — we sing a cappella the chorus of a hymn titled “O Sacrament Most Holy.” If for some reason there is not a cantor to lead singing, Junior steps up.
Friends, Junior does not have the voice of a cantor or a choir member. He warbles loudly and off-key, and it is absolutely glorious. He pretty much only needs to get out two syllables: “O sa—” and then everyone joins in with “—crament most holy.” He sings with his whole heart. I hope one day to find him leading the heavenly choir.
Perhaps Francis, the Little Poor One, sounded a lot like Junior. We don't know. We do know that at the end of this lovely story, Francis whispers to the angel, "Tomorrow, I shall sing again."
January 27, 2023
This is the story of St Francis of Assisi with a Tomie dePaola touch to both the story and the illustrations. In it, St Francis's singing inspires colorful birds and even the sun and the moon to join him in joyful celebration.
The book of only 32 pages will introduce St Francis to children ages 4-8. The text is simple, and it sits on the page beside dePaola's distinct illustrative genius. The combination of watercolor and collage is a distinctive homage to Matisse.
The book of only 32 pages will introduce St Francis to children ages 4-8. The text is simple, and it sits on the page beside dePaola's distinct illustrative genius. The combination of watercolor and collage is a distinctive homage to Matisse.
May 3, 2022
Tomie DePaola's The Song of Francis was originally published in 2009 and I can't believed I missed it somehow. This new edition with fully refreshed illustrations will be released this fall. A simple story for a simple man with Tomie DePaola's classic bold colorful illustrations is sure to be a new found treasure. Thanks Simon & Schuster for the preliminary proofs.
November 2, 2019
The illustrations of this book are different from the rest of Tomie dePaola's work because it doesn't seem to be drawn at all, it seems to be of a cut-out collage design. I love St. Francis and his song but this book doesn't live up to the medieval beauty of his time and story.
September 16, 2020
I stopped several times in the book to admire the illustration style and imagine the process of how it all came together. The story is suited to a younger crowd. It is gentle and slow.
May 4, 2021
The illustrations are nice, but there isn't much of a story, and this doesn't include historical information.
May 29, 2022
Colorful, simple; no very specific details about Francis of Assisi.
January 20, 2023
I always love dePaola’s art, and even love some of his explicitly Christian books (Clown of God is amazing)-but this one was a bit too Jesus-y for me.
June 8, 2023
Loved the illustrations. Several of the illustrations have borders, with the illustrations flowing over them.
October 8, 2023
Beautiful art.
April 18, 2024
I love the artwork in this book! And it is a beautiful story
June 12, 2024
Love the illustrations.
December 31, 2024
Introduces St. Francis of Assisi to young readers and celebrates his love of animals. A nice picture book with Tomie dePaola's great illustrations.
December 12, 2025
Checked out from Kilbourn Public Library 📚 in Wisconsin
February 18, 2014
Tomie dePaola uses an Eric Carle collage technique in this book that sets it apart from his other work and is still TdP and lovely.
It's about St. Francis and his love of singing. It includes a song, but no notes, so I didn't know how to sing it nor how it should sound. It is for young children, in the sense that it uses different birds to teach colors.
As a singer, I love this message: "Francis was so filled with the love of God that he wanted to sing, to tell everyone how much God loved them." He was all alone, but sang anyway, and was joined by the sun, the moon, the birds, and many angels. When his song ended, everyone went home. "Tomorrow," he whispered to the angel, "I shall sing again."
It's a lovely book.
It's about St. Francis and his love of singing. It includes a song, but no notes, so I didn't know how to sing it nor how it should sound. It is for young children, in the sense that it uses different birds to teach colors.
As a singer, I love this message: "Francis was so filled with the love of God that he wanted to sing, to tell everyone how much God loved them." He was all alone, but sang anyway, and was joined by the sun, the moon, the birds, and many angels. When his song ended, everyone went home. "Tomorrow," he whispered to the angel, "I shall sing again."
It's a lovely book.
February 9, 2019
This is a nice book, short and sweet and not overly ambitious in its intent. The Song of Francis does a good job of introducing to the youngest children an historical religious figure whose personal sense of peace is as legendary today as it was during the days that he lived, and whose good deeds saved lives and help change the perspectives of other people.
Tomie dePaola definitely breaks away from his typical artistic style in the making of this book. I wouldn't have ever guessed him as the artist had I not known, yet when I look at the paintings closely there still is a trace of Tomie dePaola's unique style. Overall, this is a good, very simple book.
Tomie dePaola definitely breaks away from his typical artistic style in the making of this book. I wouldn't have ever guessed him as the artist had I not known, yet when I look at the paintings closely there still is a trace of Tomie dePaola's unique style. Overall, this is a good, very simple book.
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February 4, 2012I really enjoyed this book. What made me chose this book is the beautiful, colorful cover. On the cover it is what looks like a priest or monk. This book was written by Tomie dePaola and I remember my teacher reading his books to the class when I in second grade. As I read I learned that the Francis the book is referring to is St. Francis. He is known for caring for animals. In the book Francis sings to the birds, the angels and to God. This book had such beautiful pictures filled with color. Although this book may not be appropriate for a public school because it is religion based it might still be nice for a privet school or for a personal read.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews