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The Good Song: The Story of Hawaiian Singer Israel Kamakawiwo’ole (Iz) and His Beloved Medley of "Over the Rainbow" and "What a Wonderful World"
A story about Hawaiian singer Israel Kamakawiwo‘ole (Iz) and his beloved medley of “Over the Rainbow” and “What a Wonderful World”
The day Iz was born, on a beautiful Hawaiian island, the world sang him a lullaby. What a good song. But what is the good song? Iz spent his short life listening for it and found it in his heart one stormy night. And the good song rose up and over the rainbow and out to the world to the hearts of listeners everywhere.
Based on the life of beloved Hawaiian singer Israel Kamakawiwo‘ole (1959–1997), The Good Songcelebrates the inspiration behind Iz’s medley of the classic “Over the Rainbow” and “What a Wonderful World,” and features the lyrics of the song.
The day Iz was born, on a beautiful Hawaiian island, the world sang him a lullaby. What a good song. But what is the good song? Iz spent his short life listening for it and found it in his heart one stormy night. And the good song rose up and over the rainbow and out to the world to the hearts of listeners everywhere.
Based on the life of beloved Hawaiian singer Israel Kamakawiwo‘ole (1959–1997), The Good Songcelebrates the inspiration behind Iz’s medley of the classic “Over the Rainbow” and “What a Wonderful World,” and features the lyrics of the song.
36 pages, Hardcover
Published October 6, 2020
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
July 21, 2023
This book makes my heart sing because I have Hawaiian readers seeking homesickness relief in my library. The book is inspired by Kamakawiwo'ole. I need more books like this, especially created by islanders, please. But this is a good start.
March 2, 2023
read this for book bingo!!
March 5, 2021
Really beautiful and captivating illustrations are the main selling point in this book. The story is “inspired by” the Somewhere Over the Rainbow song. I should’ve looked closer at the title because I was expecting to be a true story about the song and it’s creation. So I was a little disappointed by that and honestly, while I may have eventually checked this out from the library I wouldn’t have bought it instantly without the song recognition (I bought it because the song has meaning to me, and I assume many others). It is definitely a sad story at times-a story about a young boy and his relationship with his grandfather that transcends life and death. My five year old cried, so a fair warning this book might be hard for extra sensitive kids.
February 17, 2021
See my full review: https://www.yabookscentral.com/kidsfi...
THE GOOD SONG is a book about grief and finding beauty in the world around you. A little boy grows up with a grandfather he loves very much, who has taught him to listen to the beautiful music all around. His grandfather has a heart attack and then he can no longer find the music. After a while, he listens and he hears a good song being sung by someone with a ukelele. The boy concludes that a good song is one that touches your heart and others.
What I loved: This book is filled with colorful, beautiful, and imaginative illustrations that bring the emotions of the story to life. The text is simple, and a lot is told through the illustrations and the unspoken words between the lines. The idea of a good song is certainly one that will resonate with readers, as songs that touch the heart always hold a special place. The inspiration of the story is also interesting, and I love the elements of Hawaiian culture intertwined in the story.
Final verdict: With lush imagery and simple text, THE GOOD SONG speaks to the heart with a story of grief, life, and the power of music.
Please note that I received a review copy. All opinions are my own.
THE GOOD SONG is a book about grief and finding beauty in the world around you. A little boy grows up with a grandfather he loves very much, who has taught him to listen to the beautiful music all around. His grandfather has a heart attack and then he can no longer find the music. After a while, he listens and he hears a good song being sung by someone with a ukelele. The boy concludes that a good song is one that touches your heart and others.
What I loved: This book is filled with colorful, beautiful, and imaginative illustrations that bring the emotions of the story to life. The text is simple, and a lot is told through the illustrations and the unspoken words between the lines. The idea of a good song is certainly one that will resonate with readers, as songs that touch the heart always hold a special place. The inspiration of the story is also interesting, and I love the elements of Hawaiian culture intertwined in the story.
Final verdict: With lush imagery and simple text, THE GOOD SONG speaks to the heart with a story of grief, life, and the power of music.
Please note that I received a review copy. All opinions are my own.
July 1, 2021
'The Good Song' by Alexandria Giardino, pictures by Penelope Dullaghan, combines colorful, powerful illustrations of a family and their time together. The book begins when a little boy is born and proceeds to show his relationship with his grandfather and their closeness. They talk of songs and what makes them good, and they consider how music can be found anywhere.
The story combines lyrics and ideas from 'Somewhere Over the Rainbow' and 'What a Wonderful World,' showcasing the beauty of those two songs, and making readers realize that there is so much more than meets the ear as additional facts about both are included in the back of the book. A medley by Israel “Iz” Kamakawiwo'ole is also found in the final pages, with words from the two songs meshed together to make one engaging tune.
Lovers of the two songs and the meaning behind the lyrics will find beauty in the book and its message.
Beth Rodgers, Author of ‘Welcome to Chanu-Con!,’ a Children's Picture Book, and ‘Freshman Fourteen’ and ‘Sweet Fifteen,’ Young Adult Novels
The story combines lyrics and ideas from 'Somewhere Over the Rainbow' and 'What a Wonderful World,' showcasing the beauty of those two songs, and making readers realize that there is so much more than meets the ear as additional facts about both are included in the back of the book. A medley by Israel “Iz” Kamakawiwo'ole is also found in the final pages, with words from the two songs meshed together to make one engaging tune.
Lovers of the two songs and the meaning behind the lyrics will find beauty in the book and its message.
Beth Rodgers, Author of ‘Welcome to Chanu-Con!,’ a Children's Picture Book, and ‘Freshman Fourteen’ and ‘Sweet Fifteen,’ Young Adult Novels
October 3, 2024
The Good Song: The Story of Hawaiian Singer Israel Kamakawiwo’ole (Iz) and His Beloved Medley of "Over the Rainbow" and "What a Wonderful World" written for readers aged K-3. The theme of the book is to stop and listen. I picked this book based on the title and cover because it made me smile and feel happy. Teachers can use The Good Song to show how music touches our hearts and teaches us to look at everything around us. To hear we must slow down and be present to notice the music is within the world. A lesson could be to listen to Somewhere Over the Rainbow and have students color the song according to their feelings and then discuss their drawings. Talk about what makes their heart sing and what makes them happy. I enjoyed The Good Song and how it showed the young boy to learn to hear the songs of nature and that he needed patience to do that task. I also loved how the story explained that love comes from family, nature, and within oneself.
June 19, 2021
Beautiful illustrations and a book that addresses a boy's love and grief for his grandfather. Like many others, I expected this story to be more about Iz Kamakawizo'ole's beautiful music. Be prepared for a different, fictionalized narrative that speaks to the good song that love can bring to your life.
October 21, 2020
Soothing as a good song.
This book holds space for beauty and grief, sadness and joy, just like the song that inspired it. Somewhere over the rainbow, and right here, it is a wonderful world. One that will leave you humming.
This book holds space for beauty and grief, sadness and joy, just like the song that inspired it. Somewhere over the rainbow, and right here, it is a wonderful world. One that will leave you humming.
May 9, 2022
Lovely message of listening to the world around you and seeing the beauty and connects with nature.
The young boy's grandfather does die partway through. He then seeks the quiet music as he heals. Soft colored illustrations bring out the quiet and peace.
The young boy's grandfather does die partway through. He then seeks the quiet music as he heals. Soft colored illustrations bring out the quiet and peace.
October 23, 2020
Lovely text and illustrations in this about the inspiration be story behind Hawaiian singer Israel (Iz) Kamakawiwo‘ole's beloved medley of "Over the Rainbow" and "What a Wonderful World."
November 23, 2020
A really sweet homage to Israel Kamakawiwo'ole and the power of a good song. The story is short and sweet and the illustrations are very endearing. I really enjoyed reading through this.
January 11, 2021
A grandad teaches his grandson to listen to the good song because dreams really can come true.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews