Let There Be Peace on Earth: And Let It Begin with Me

by Jill Jackson, Sy Miller, David Díaz (Illustrator)

Let There Be Peace on Earth and Let It Begin with M e
 
These cherished words have sounded a call for peace the world over since 1955. The song of the same name has echoed through schools and churches, community centers and summer camps, the White House, and meetings of the United Nations. It has touched hearts from South Africa to New Zealand, from Russia to Japan. "Let There Be Peace on Earth" has been recorded and performed by countless singers including Nat King Cole, Gladys Knight, Vince Gill, and many more.
Now available for the first time as a picture book, Jill Jackson and Sy Miller's lyrics have been beautifully interpreted by Caldecott Medal-winning artist David Diaz. Diaz's luminous illustrations, featuring peace symbols from many cultures, and a 12-track audio CD introduce this beloved song and its valuable message to a new generation.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Music

30 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2009

Reviews

[Jo Oehrlein]

Various symbols for peace serve as illustrations for the words of this well-known song.

End matter includes info on the songwriters and the writing of this particular song.

The CD is fine. It includes the song, the song in French, and an instrumental version with other songs by the same songwriters (and one by their daughter).

[Mrs. Ruigrok]

A beautiful picture book to accompany Let There Be Peace on Earth. This version also comes with a great CD with multiple songs and lots of information about peace symbols and the story of the song. The illustrations/text are simple but beautiful.

[SKP]

When I was a Children’s Librarian (before retirement), I used this book with music in storytimes with a “Peace on Earth” theme. The illustrations are marvelous, and the story told by the song is very much worth sharing with young children. Highly recommended.

[Lindsay]

I used this book for a peace-themed bilingual story time program. I don't really enjoy the illustrations, but the story is based on a classic song which is why I gave it a three rather than a two.

The following is from my blog (http://www.librarianlindsay.blogspot....

For this particular theme, I collaborated with a coworker in the reference department who was hosting a workshop about peace given by Dr. Iris Haapanen of California State University Stanislaus. During the workshop, which also promoted International Peace Day, which is celebrated on September 21st, adults and children were able to make multicultural bracelets while learning about peer pressure, lack of self-confidence, and bullying. Since Dr. Haapanen's program was family-friendly and started immediately after Saturday's Bilingual StoryTime program, it was fitting that the story time revolve around the same theme.

Here is the press release for Dr. Haapanen's event: http://www.stanislauslibrary.org/pdf/...

For more information about International Peace Day, visit http://www.internationaldayofpeace.org/

[Ruth Ann]

Caldecott winner Dadid Diaz illustrates the 1955 classic, "Let There Be Peace on Earth". Included is a 12-song CD, 11 of which were also written by Jill Jackson and Sy MIller. What I liked best about the book was the international flavor and the inclusion of a wide variety of peace symbols from around the world, which are annotated at the back of this picture book. The CD is not the calibre of the artwork but the main theme song was performed well as both a vocal and an instrumental selection.

[Stephanie]

I am not a religious person anymore, but this song always gets me. We would always sing it for Christmas and the New Year in my Catholic church when I was younger. Wonderful illustrations by Diaz.

[Linda]

Nice colorful illustrations with an Eastern (India) flair. The CD was ok.

[Marcie]

I liked this one enough to purchase it for Cece's friend Sarah even though she is Unitarian.

[Katie Fitzgerald]

Read at Baby/Toddler Holiday Story Time on 12/15/11: http://storytimesecrets.blogspot.com/...