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Peace Train

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Hop aboard the Peace Train in this picture book adaptation of Cat Stevens’s legendary anthem of unity and harmony in time for the song’s 50th anniversary! With illustrations by New York Times bestselling illustrator Peter H. Reynolds.

“Now I've been happy lately
Thinking about the good things to come
And I believe it could be
Something good has begun

Oh, I've been smiling lately
Dreaming about the world as one
And I believe it could be
Someday it's going to come”

Readers are invited to hop on the PEACE TRAIN and join its growing group of passengers who are all ready to unite the world in peace and harmony.

Featuring the timeless lyrics of Cat Stevens’s legendary song and illustrations by New York Times bestselling artist Peter H. Reynolds, this hopeful picture book inspires tolerance and love for people of all cultures and identities.

40 pages, Hardcover

First published May 11, 2021

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Cat Stevens

17 books3 followers

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5 stars
112 (34%)
4 stars
102 (31%)
3 stars
102 (31%)
2 stars
9 (2%)
1 star
1 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 56 reviews
Profile Image for Deborah.
731 reviews46 followers
May 22, 2021
United in harmony and peace, the multi-cultural passengers hop on the peace train. Celebrating 50 years after Cat Stevens wrote the lyrics to Peace Train, the visuals burst forth vividly and joyfully. I love the song. However, transcribing the song’s words in this child’s illustrated book did not transition as well. I think it would be best as an audio and visual book instead of just reading it. 3.5 stars.
Profile Image for Cheryl .
9,024 reviews390 followers
Read
October 25, 2022
VoxBooks is very well suited to this. The music player is built in, with added narration. Turn it on, and listen to the guide tell you to listen to the song once, then listen and follow along turning pages. Now, I don't like the recorded voice as much as Stevens' original, but that may be a minor quibble.

Since I do know the song well, I have no idea how well the text worked in the book. But I do know that the illustrations are marvelous.

If you can only get an ordinary book, I suggest finding a recording of the original song and listening to it at least a couple of times before reading the book. Even I would have enjoyed it more, had I done so, instead of relying solely on my memory.

Can't rate because I don't know how much I'd like it if I didn't already love the song.
Profile Image for John Blacksad.
245 reviews21 followers
November 12, 2021
“Oh, I've been smiling lately
Dreaming about the world as one
And I believe it could be
Someday it's going to come”


Yusuf İslam’ın 1971 yılında yazdığı, hit parçası “Peace Train”, Peter H. Reynolds’ın renkli illüstrasyonlarıyla kitaplaştırılmış.

Özellikle sapsarı tonlarda resmedilmiş sayfalar seyirlik. Şarkı sözünden mürekkep bu kısacık kitabı Ketebe Çocuk ciltli, güzel bir baskıyla sunmuş.
Profile Image for Amanda Brooke.
913 reviews7 followers
February 14, 2023
I love it when a picture book comes from a song. Great timing too, the book is dedicated to Greta Thunberg and all the children of the beautiful world. Kids are so stressed right now, and they need this.
Profile Image for Lisa.
184 reviews7 followers
May 22, 2021
I’ve been so excited about this book and my signed copy from Peter H. Reynolds came today! I love the message of the song and Peter’s illustrations are joyful and filled with hope! So let’s all jump on board the Peace Train and fill our hearts with love and peace so we can spread this message throughout our world! ❤️☮️❤️☮️
Profile Image for Tracy.
36 reviews
February 26, 2022
Reynolds’ vibrant, whimsical illustrations are the star of this book for me. The stripped down text doesn’t stand alone well, but paired with the music serves as a fun shared reading experience.
Profile Image for Stephanie Bange.
1,572 reviews12 followers
June 2, 2021
First, I admit - I am a sucker for these picture books coming out that feature pop songs with a great message for kids. I love to sing along with them and cuddle with the grands looking and singing along with them. (Although this one is rather tricky!) Yusuf/Cat Stevens' classic anthem of peace was a big highlight at all of his concerts. The back vocals that came in and hand clapping just added so much.

Here we have the stripped lyrics of the song, with no repeats. Each stanza and refrain read aloud well (although I do read it in the same rhythm it is sung - big hint: watch a video of him performing it) and the plea for peace remains. They are as strong and relevant today as when they were written in the 1970's.

Harper was brilliant in pairing these words with the brilliance of Peter H. Reynolds to create a dream team in telling a powerful story of peace. Reynolds shows the song being sung by a young boy of color, strumming his guitar. His companions include a black bird and a white peace dove that appears to be sympatico with the yellow striped cat. The Peace Train pulls into the station - decked out with peace signs, rainbows, hearts and flower power galore present - where a very diverse group of adults and children wait to op on board. Of course, the Peace Train emits flowers - not air-polluting smoke out of its stack. Once aboard, the gang grooves to the train as it clacks down the tracks. When the train approaches a bridge out (during lyrics about hate in the world), the boy comes up with the perfect solution: playing/singing music strong enough for the train to pass over safely. My hat is off to Reynolds; the detailed endsheets appear hand-drawn and must have taken hours upon hours to complete. All artwork is colorful and eye-popping eye candy. Sweet!

An author's note completes the book. Although, I would add be sure to watch Stevens perform his song on the book trailer: https://youtu.be/Jk4Grh1tpR0

Be sure to include this in units about peace and harmony in the world.

Highly Recommended for Pre-School - grade 2.
Author 1 book231 followers
March 9, 2022
Peace Train is a bold, beautiful, colorful book aimed at what the world needs at all times, peace. The original song was written in the 1970's by the author.

The song translated to the book is simple and heartfelt. If you are looking for major substance in a children's book, you won't find it here because it is in the simplicity that makes the message.

However, what really makes this book come alive is the illustrations. The main character singing is of course, the author himself running to joining the train. The cast of characters that follow in the turning of pages, come from all walks of life. The old, young, different religions, cultures, sexes, abilities, all join in love and harmony. all sing the main concept...peace.

This is a book worthy of showing to young children but the young at heart. It is worthy of sharing.

For the book, I am giving 4 stars not for the writer but for the illustrator.

Peace, love, and books,

Michelle
31 reviews1 follower
October 6, 2021
Peace Train by Cat Stevens; Illustrated by Peter H. Reynolds

The Peace Train is a colorful book with an amazing story. The book tells the story of a peace train that is bringing peace around the world. The peace trains trying to bring people out of the dark and into the light. The book describes the dark as the people that are hating in the world, and the peace train ride is bringing people back home to the better days. This book I believe is highly qualified for the Caldecott Award. The illustrations in this book are so vivid and colorful. I personally could not stop looking through the pages. The pages that talk about the darkness are dark, and the pages with the peace train are bright and lively. Making it easy to see the contrast in the dark and the light(peace train). Recommended for all ages!!
9 reviews
March 8, 2022
an amazing book for our times. again

Listening to the song fifty years ago when the Vietnam body bag count continued to escalate, and there were horrific wars in Israel, India and the Congo.
Today we watch and shudder and cry anew as Russia seeks to subjugate Ukraine.
The song p, especially with fifty global artists bring home the essential necessity of getting on the Peace Train.
Profile Image for Dina.
493 reviews
August 1, 2021
Any book illustrated by Peter H. Reynolds is a treat in my eyes! I like the concept of the book, but the illustrations are simply the best. Diverse characters throughout the pages, striking use of colors, and the author's note letting the reader know the text is from the song are some of the things I liked best about this book! Recommend!
Profile Image for Julie.
1,092 reviews
November 30, 2021
I loved the colorful, vibrant illustrations of Stevens' lyrics, as timely today as when he wrote them. The scenes of adults and children of all ages and races boarding the "peace train" are heartwarming, and the beauty of the lyrics melds with the beauty of the interactions depicted. A lovely book for his fans, old and new.
Profile Image for robyn.
186 reviews3 followers
February 4, 2022
Have always loved the song - love the message - love his letter at the end - LOVE the beautiful, joyous, bold, colorful illustrations. Love the Peace Train boarding ticket at the front. Loved everything about his simple, yet simply BEAUTIFUL book. For children and grownups, the message still resounds.
Profile Image for Anne.
4,377 reviews41 followers
February 18, 2022
Vivid tie-dye color illustrations were my favorite part. For me the lyrics did not flow until I found a youtube video of the song. (Found one with people from around the globe singing - that was spectacular!) This is a book that was meant to be sung, not read. (If sung, then gets a higher rating)

I read it to our self contained SpEd class. They liked the video/music and the pictures.
Profile Image for Katie Reilley.
773 reviews27 followers
June 9, 2021
Illustrated more than 50 years after the words were written, Peter Reynolds’ vibrant and joyous illustrations bring Cat Stevens’ powerful lyrics to life. Listened to the song as I paged through the illustrations. Don’t miss the author’s note at the end.
385 reviews7 followers
June 19, 2021
The concept of this book is what a better place the world would be if we could live without hate. If everyone would just decide to live in unity and peace. The author is singer/songwriter Cat stevens so the book has a singsong quality about it that I really loved.
Profile Image for Carol W.
215 reviews117 followers
September 19, 2021
This picture book features the lyrics of Cat Stevens', Peace Train.
Come on the peace train to learn how we can all live together as one.
A striking message to share with children from 5+ years.
Stunning artwork from Peter G Reynolds.
Profile Image for Kristine Hall.
820 reviews42 followers
May 26, 2022
This is a wonderful, vibrant book with an excellent message regardless of whether or not you know & love the song (which I do). Take it up a notch by finding the video & watching/listening to Cat sing the book. BEST. Can't wait to sing it to my granddaughter.
Profile Image for Vanessa.
161 reviews14 followers
November 24, 2022
Working at a book fair for scholastic today, when I saw « Cat Stevens» on a book, I was like, what?!
THE ILLUSTRATION ARE SO PRECIOUS.
Oh, my, godness.
I love it.
But I was already a big fan of Cat Stevens, and Yusuf, so maybe I'm bias.
709 reviews9 followers
May 10, 2021
I've always loved this Cat Stevens song, and Peter Reynolds' illustrations bring the song to life. What a great way to share with little ones.
Profile Image for Ron Turner.
1,100 reviews14 followers
May 13, 2021
I love it when songs are adapted into children's books because you really get to appreciate the lyrics.
Profile Image for Edward Sullivan.
Author 4 books203 followers
May 19, 2021
A beautiful song does not necessarily make a great picture book text. Peter Reynolds's visual interpretation with vibrant, joyful illustrations captures the spirit of the lyrics.
Profile Image for Robin.
3,202 reviews4 followers
June 1, 2021
Groovy fun lyrics and trippy illustrations carry a message of peace✌️
Displaying 1 - 30 of 56 reviews

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