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This Pretty Planet
Based on the touching song “This Pretty Planet” by Tom Chapin and John Forster, this hopeful and whimsically illustrated picture book celebrates the pretty planet we call home.
Winds blow. Tides flow.
Shooting stars descend.
Our lives begin, middle, and end on
This pretty planet.
From icy tundras to sandy beaches, lush forests to tall mountains, this exuberant picture book journeys around the globe and presents the natural wonders of the planet with a contagious sense of awe and whimsy. Young readers will get lost in the detailed illustrations as the narration serves as a gentle reminder of why we must care for and protect our pretty planet.
Winds blow. Tides flow.
Shooting stars descend.
Our lives begin, middle, and end on
This pretty planet.
From icy tundras to sandy beaches, lush forests to tall mountains, this exuberant picture book journeys around the globe and presents the natural wonders of the planet with a contagious sense of awe and whimsy. Young readers will get lost in the detailed illustrations as the narration serves as a gentle reminder of why we must care for and protect our pretty planet.
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
February 8, 2021
Reading this felt like a warm shower after a long day : complete!
A fairy-tale story with nursery rhyme kind of feeling, environmental-driven moral story, and started and finished by a song with real notes to sing--as I said, complete! ♡
A fairy-tale story with nursery rhyme kind of feeling, environmental-driven moral story, and started and finished by a song with real notes to sing--as I said, complete! ♡
March 7, 2021
Ive been having nightmares these past few weeks, they could get pretty bad to the point where im perspiring and shaking so bad. Im reading this in hope that it will somehow help me, i genuinely think it will.
January 14, 2025
An ode to the wonders that make up the spinning blue rock called Earth.
September 1, 2021
This review was originally written for The Baby Bookworm. Visit us for new picture books reviews daily!
Hello, friends! Our book today is This Pretty Planet, written by Tom Chapin and John Forster and illustrated by Lee White, a gorgeous picture book treatment of Chapin & Forster’s 1988 song of the same name.
A white rabbit wakes two children from their sleep, and the trio sails off into the night sky on their balloon-powered bed/airship. They adventure through constellation-filled skies, windswept beaches, flowering meadows, even outer space, experiencing the wonder and magic of a dreamy earth filled with more cheerful animal pals. When the trio travel briefly through history, they are struck by a scene of pollution and waste, and take a moment to care for the earth by cleaning up and planting new life. At last, the children return to their bedroom to be tucked in by their bunny friend, surrounded by reminders of their adventure.
Beautiful. I was not familiar with the original song, but it transitions to picture book form extremely well, with simple and soothing lyrics encouraging an appreciation for planet Earth, for each other, and for ourselves. As lovely as the lyrics are, they are given exquisite impact by White’s gorgeous, ethereal illustrations that combine fantasy and reality flawlessly; a spread that simply reads “You’re a holy place,” as the trio of travelers contemplate a giant glowing owl surrounded by a mountain lake and waterfalls, for instance, is absolutely breathtaking. Equally fantastic is the final spread, in which observant readers can see what items in the children’s room inspired their dreams (or vice versa, depending on your interpretation). It’s a quick read, but offers plenty of opportunity for examination of the rich illustrations, and JJ loved it. This is an affirming and earth-loving treat for little bookworms, and we recommend it; Baby Bookworm approved!
(Note: A copy of this book was provided to The Baby Bookworm by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.)
Be sure to check out The Baby Bookworm for more reviews!
November 15, 2020
The folk song “This Pretty Planet” written by Tom Chapin and John Forster comes to life in this beautifully illustrated picture book. There is a side story through the illustrations as the reader follows two young children on an adventure around the world. Their journey begins during the night as their bed is lifted out of their home and into the nighttime sky by a large, golden hot air balloon. Their magical adventure takes them to lands with books as large as buildings, skies filled with constellations of narwhals and bunnies, fields of flowers, dancing animals, dinosaurs, and a timeline of history from pyramids to the information age. They also encounter pollution and trash that threaten to destroy their beautiful Earth. The reader then sees the young children doing their part to help--cleaning, planting, and recycling. Their magical evening comes to an end as they are safely tucked into their bed.
The illustrations are magical and take a whimsical and creative approach to the words of the song. For example, the nighttime sky is filled with constellations of a fox, bird, and a heart. The spinning of the Earth is seen as a record album spinning on a turntable-complete with dancing animals. The illustrations are very detailed and young children will enjoy spending some time carefully looking at everything in the pictures. (Almost everything in the illustrations on the pages of the story can be seen as objects in the children’s bedroom, so this is a fun little seek-and-find for children.)
This story would be perfect for children between the ages of two and five years old, especially as a way to introduce them to the importance of taking care of the environment.
The illustrations are magical and take a whimsical and creative approach to the words of the song. For example, the nighttime sky is filled with constellations of a fox, bird, and a heart. The spinning of the Earth is seen as a record album spinning on a turntable-complete with dancing animals. The illustrations are very detailed and young children will enjoy spending some time carefully looking at everything in the pictures. (Almost everything in the illustrations on the pages of the story can be seen as objects in the children’s bedroom, so this is a fun little seek-and-find for children.)
This story would be perfect for children between the ages of two and five years old, especially as a way to introduce them to the importance of taking care of the environment.
November 22, 2021
This wonderfully designed picture book brings to life Tom Chapin and John Forster's song "This Pretty Planet." The words are poetic and written like so:
"Winds blow. Tides flow.
Shooting stars descend.
Our lives begin, middle, and end on
This pretty planet."
The vibrant graphics transport you through a chronology of history, including dinosaurs, dancing creatures, flower fields, and pyramids with two young children hoisted into the night sky by a hot air balloon. The youngsters are also exposed to rubbish and pollution; the author shows how young children may help by gardening, cleaning, and recycling. The shapes and color layering in this artwork are quirky and inventive. I would read this book when wanting to introduce children on how to care for their planet and community.
After reading this book, even as an adult reminds me to be conscious about the decisions I make when it comes to being 'greener'.
"Winds blow. Tides flow.
Shooting stars descend.
Our lives begin, middle, and end on
This pretty planet."
The vibrant graphics transport you through a chronology of history, including dinosaurs, dancing creatures, flower fields, and pyramids with two young children hoisted into the night sky by a hot air balloon. The youngsters are also exposed to rubbish and pollution; the author shows how young children may help by gardening, cleaning, and recycling. The shapes and color layering in this artwork are quirky and inventive. I would read this book when wanting to introduce children on how to care for their planet and community.
After reading this book, even as an adult reminds me to be conscious about the decisions I make when it comes to being 'greener'.
April 26, 2024
Come along on the hot air balloon ride you never imagined. Bunny brings a long a boy and girl to explore our pretty planet- planet Earth. Discover Earth's timeline with people and how our choices can help or hinder our pretty planet.
This book has beautiful illustrations and rhyming text. It is, after all song. This book is easy for those reading it to put themselves in the place of the children traveling to see the pretty planet. The pictures open up so many possibilities of discussion on how we each are doing, or not doing, our part to keep our planet pretty.
This book is a great one to read around Earth Day. It's not really a story, although the pictures take you on a journey. The text can be difficult to keep the rhyme going because of page brakes and placement. It's well done, but not more than a 3 star ranking from me.
This book has beautiful illustrations and rhyming text. It is, after all song. This book is easy for those reading it to put themselves in the place of the children traveling to see the pretty planet. The pictures open up so many possibilities of discussion on how we each are doing, or not doing, our part to keep our planet pretty.
This book is a great one to read around Earth Day. It's not really a story, although the pictures take you on a journey. The text can be difficult to keep the rhyme going because of page brakes and placement. It's well done, but not more than a 3 star ranking from me.
June 21, 2025
Come along on the hot air balloon ride you never imagined. Bunny brings a long a boy and girl to explore our pretty planet- planet Earth. Discover Earth's timeline with people and how our choices can help or hinder our pretty planet.
This book has beautiful illustrations and rhyming text. It is, after all song. This book is easy for those reading it to put themselves in the place of the children traveling to see the pretty planet. The pictures open up so many possibilities of discussion on how we each are doing, or not doing, our part to keep our planet pretty.
This book is a great one to read around Earth Day. It's not really a story, although the pictures take you on a journey. The text can be difficult to keep the rhyme going because of page brakes and placement. It's well done, but not more than a 3 star ranking from me.
This book has beautiful illustrations and rhyming text. It is, after all song. This book is easy for those reading it to put themselves in the place of the children traveling to see the pretty planet. The pictures open up so many possibilities of discussion on how we each are doing, or not doing, our part to keep our planet pretty.
This book is a great one to read around Earth Day. It's not really a story, although the pictures take you on a journey. The text can be difficult to keep the rhyme going because of page brakes and placement. It's well done, but not more than a 3 star ranking from me.
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November 5, 2021School Library Journal recommends this book for pre-school through 2nd grade.
Note: Sheet Music for the song is included.
Based on the touching song "This Pretty Planet" by Tom Chapin and John Forster, this hopeful and whimsically illustrated picture book celebrates the pretty planet we call home.
Winds blow. Tides flow.
Shooting stars descend.
Our lives begin, middle, and end on
This pretty planet.
From icy tundras to sandy beaches, lush forests to tall mountains, this exuberant picture book journeys around the globe and presents the natural wonders of the planet with a contagious sense of awe and whimsy. Young readers will get lost in the detailed illustrations as the narration serves as a gentle reminder of why we must care for and protect our pretty planet.
Subject: Children's songs, English -- United States -- Texts.
Note: Sheet Music for the song is included.
Based on the touching song "This Pretty Planet" by Tom Chapin and John Forster, this hopeful and whimsically illustrated picture book celebrates the pretty planet we call home.
Winds blow. Tides flow.
Shooting stars descend.
Our lives begin, middle, and end on
This pretty planet.
From icy tundras to sandy beaches, lush forests to tall mountains, this exuberant picture book journeys around the globe and presents the natural wonders of the planet with a contagious sense of awe and whimsy. Young readers will get lost in the detailed illustrations as the narration serves as a gentle reminder of why we must care for and protect our pretty planet.
Subject: Children's songs, English -- United States -- Texts.
April 23, 2024
A song made into a picture book. They (publisher, illustrator, authors) kindly added music to the front and back pages. The front has the Gospel Version and the back has the Three-Part Round. I am not familiar with the song or tune so I just read the book. I found the digital artwork adorable.
2024 storytime theme: Earth Day
Reviewed from a library copy.
2024 storytime theme: Earth Day
Reviewed from a library copy.
April 5, 2022
This book is based on the song This Pretty Planet by Tom Capin and John Forster - so it is not really a story.
But the illustrations are whimsical and gorgeous and some of this art would make terrific bedroom decorations for kids who love adventure and exploring!
But the illustrations are whimsical and gorgeous and some of this art would make terrific bedroom decorations for kids who love adventure and exploring!
November 3, 2020
So pretty with simple text. I love books like this!
December 11, 2020
So lovely all around.
December 16, 2020
Gorgeous! *tear drop*
January 6, 2021
Such pretty illustrations!
January 15, 2021
3.5-4 stars
January 18, 2021
Beautiful words paired with stunning illustrations. This book is a perfect lullaby.
February 8, 2021
This world is a pretty place as long as people take the time to clean it up.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 10, 2021
A beautiful song about the world that we love (written by Tom Chapin). Lovely and calm.
August 16, 2021
The wording was too poetic for my liking. And I didn’t care for the illustrative style. But I can recognize that this is a book some people would really like. It’s just not for me.
November 4, 2021
Gorgeous illustrations, the text is just all over the place with no real story line or plot or coherence.
January 20, 2022
Pretty illustrations;)
April 9, 2022
Gorgeous pictures and love the lyrics.
December 9, 2023
I love nature type books and this one didn't disappoint! Beautiful pictures, lovely prose and perfect for Arbor Day if you observe!
February 21, 2024
Not sure that it would hold the interest of a storytime crowd.
July 24, 2024
5 star illustrations 1 star words
April 14, 2025
Love this one. Gorgeous illustrations and message + a bonus song to boot.
July 28, 2026
Lovely.
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews