A Song of Gladness

by Michael Morpurgo, Emily Gravett (Illustrator)

Un beau matin, un merle perché sur une branche entonne un chant. Un chant de paix, un chant d'espoir pour notre planète, afin d'apaiser le cœur des hommes et, surtout, y apporter la joie. Et son message va voyager tout autour du monde.

Genres: Picture Books, Animals, Poetry, Nature, Childrens

36 pages, Hardcover

Published April 29, 201

About the author

Sir Michael Andrew Morpurgo, OBE, FRSL is the author of many books for children, five of which have been made into films. He also writes his own screenplays and libretti for opera. Born in St Albans, Hertfordshire, in 1943, he was evacuated to Cumberland during the last years of the Second World War, then returned to London, moving later to Essex. After a brief and unsuccessful spell in the army, he took up teaching and started to write. He left teaching after ten years in order to set up 'Farms for City Children' with his wife. They have three farms in Devon, Wales and Gloucestershire, open to inner city school children who come to stay and work with the animals. In 1999 this work was publicly recognised when he and his wife were invested a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) for services to youth. In 2003, he was advanced to an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE). He became a Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature (FRSL) in 2004. He was knighted in the 2018 for his services to literature and charity. He is also a father and grandfather, so children have always played a large part in his life. Every year he and his family spend time in the Scilly Isles, the setting for three of his books.

Reviews

[Sophie Narey (Bookreview- aholic) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought that this was an absolutely beautiful book , and it's one that any age could read. It is a wonderfully illustrated book that would really engage a child and also introduce the to the different animals. I feel like next time the reader hears a blackbird , they will hear it differently and have a different reaction, take time to think of the world around us.

I can see this being a book I will re-read me find as beautiful every time!.


I received a copy of this book via Netgalley and the publishers .

[Mathew · Rating 5 out of 5]

Whenever you go on social media, Morpurgo gets a bit of a bashing and it's certainly not deserved. I often think that some of the educationalists disliking his work are inwardly disliking the fact that their canon is limited and that the huge swathe of texts Morpurgo brings out perhaps mirrors that 'celeb-writing' culture that abounds. This is not to say that he hasn't written a few stinkers but, for me, the good and excellent far outweigh them.

In 'A Song', Morpurgo plays with a real-life incident in which he found himself chatting to a blackbird in his garden during Covid. The speaker, whose appearance passes a more than a chance resemblance to the author himself, seems morose and down about the state of the world. Not just because of the pandemic because of the point to where the world has gotten to: or, at least, where humanity is.

The little blackbird has an idea and sets off a song that travels across the world to the ears of all creatures great and small - both beneath and above the waves. More than a Song of Gladness it is more redemptive in nature and tells the humans to stop apologising for what they have done to the planet and, instead, take this time to reflect and heal both themselves and that which we have left.

I adore Gravett's illustrations here - it's as if she's been allowed me - pun not intended- spread her wings. It's a little, hopeful book.

[Jo · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Song of Gladness by Michael Morpurgo is such a beautifully written story. It has a wonderful message behind it. The illustrations are simply stunning, so colourful and playful.
Thank you netgalley for letting me read this.

[Anna Gamble · Rating 4 out of 5]

A gorgeous new picture book by Michael Morpurgo and Emily Gravett aimed at 3-5 year olds, but actually one for all ages. It certainly has something we all need to hear and will be released next month.

This is a beautiful book in all senses – its subject, its prose, the wonderful illustrations. It’s about something we all know and, yes, a song we all need.

The premise is a lovely, timely concept – the story of a man talking of our sadness to a blackbird in his garden. The sadness of humanity that has led to many of us losing sight of our connection with nature, with animals, with all the world around us. But Blackbird has an idea and she sends it on its way to all the creatures of the world.

The language is so beautiful – a joy to read out loud – but then you wouldn’t expect anything less from Michael Morpurgo, and the illustrations by Emily Gravett swoop through the pages carrying us along with the whispering animals all around the world.

My children aged 7 and 5 loved it. I started reading it out loud as they played. At first they peered over asking me to turn the book to show the pictures, but they soon climbed up beside me for a better look.
It was lovely to spot the animals and talk about the new words in the text. My son (5) liked following the musical notes from page to page and we talked about what the sadness might be, and how ‘singing as one’ might help our hearts. There’s plenty to talk about. I really appreciated the authors contextualisation at the end – it really clarifies the timing and sentiment of the book. I have to say though – I’d really love to hear the song, we (‘dad’) managed to read a little of the melody but we were left intrigued.

A Song of Gladness is such a delicious read which I highly recommend to families young and old. It captures something of our shared experience – both over this difficult year and long before it – and joins the chorus of voices pleading for our action to truly appreciate and save our home. I may have to buy a copy to hold in my hands.

Thank you to Netgalley and Pan Macmillan for the opportunity to review this ARC copy

[beckys_book_blog · Rating 5 out of 5]

A superb book with a very important moral message: to work together and to look after our planet. A blackbird talks to a man who is saddened by the state of our planet. The blackbird has an idea which he passes to a fox and a deer. In turn the message gets passed between animals across the whole world. The story had a lovely ending where the whole world joined together to sing the blackbird's song. I really liked reading the author's explanation for the context of the book at the end. The illustrations (as always by Emily Gravett) are exceptional. My children loved looking at them in detail. There were so many wonderful creatures. They also enjoyed listening to the poetic text and we talked about the story and what the blackbird's 'idea' could be. This book would be a lovely addition to a school and would help reinforce the message that we should appreciate the nature and beauty of our world and work together to help preserve it.
Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan children's books for this ARC.

[Surya · Rating 3 out of 5]

would have been a wonderful book if only I could find the song. the book was leading to it, so I thought there was a song or poem in the end. but nope.

[Kate LG · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my goodness.. Lockdown has affected us all in different ways, we've all found our own coping mechanisms. As a single working parent of 5 we spent a lot of the first lockdown in our garden. Setting up our vegetable beds, planting fruit bushes and watching the wildlife thrive. We spent the time together, making memories and working our way through the enforced time at home. This book has managed to hit right at my heart, it brings to life the importance of not only appreciating, but also revelling in, the smaller things in life. Nevermind how far photos can travel on social media this book is beautifully illustrated to show a message of hope and of solitude rippling across the world, pushing aside boundaries and making itself heard whenever and wherever it was needed. An absolute stunner of a book that will be incredibly important to share with those who lived through the pandemic with children or without children and also for those in future years who learn about how the world came together during one of the toughest periods faced for many, many years.

[Fernando Maia Jr. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This Esperanto translation made by Jorge Rafael Nogueras​ and the editing made by Tim Owen​ are wonderful. This story by Michael Morpugo, one of the most read authors in England, "Kanto de ĝojo" (in English "A song of gladness") deserved its version in the neutral international language. A story about hope, about healing the soul through a song of love and unity, whose foundation is the respect for nature. Written in 2021, during the pandemic. I got emotional at the end. And I also learned a lot of new words in Esperanto! A book for children of all ages. Congratulations to Esperanto-Asocio de Britio for the edition!

[Lara Bate · Rating 3 out of 5]

A book of a black bird sings and passes the song onto many other animals around the world. A great story!

[Hanneleele · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sedasorti "oleme kõik lihtsalt koos rõõmsad" lood mulle jälle väga ei meeldi, isegi kui idee on ju armas.

[Annie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Inspired by the Covid-19 pandemic and climate change, this is a gentle wakeup call to listen to animals, to change our behaviour.

[Helin Puksand · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kui meel on kurb, leiab lohutust linnulaulust ja loodusest.

[Aryani Siti · Rating 5 out of 5]

This amazing book shows how when we work together and look out for one another, we can create a positive impact.

[Roosa · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful book, bringing out a beautiful way to see the world around us every day. Listen to the birds, connect with your surroundings ❤️

[Y.Poston]

a moving heart-felt encouragement to us all,
beautiful illustrations

[Gail Wylde · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lovely read.