What a Wonderful World (Jean Karl Books) (Hardcover)

Editorial Reviews
From School Library Journal
PreSchool-Grade 2?Those of us familiar with the music of Louis Armstrong may cringe somewhat at this earnest, albeit colorful interpretation of his famous song. Bryan's vibrant, neon-colored illustrations tell a story of kids making puppets that will act out the lyrics?"I see skies of blue and clouds of white, the bright, blessed day, the dark, sacred night." Multicultural puppets and "Satchmo" dance away as the children behind the stage wave clouds, flowers, rainbows, and other props. The usual picture-book crowd is too young to know of Louis Armstrong or his nickname, and those who are old enough and do know of him may not especially want to think of him as a puppet. The song is a celebration of the world and its varied inhabitants and each page in the book reflects this, but all of these well-meaning parts?the lyrics that express a true emotion; the bright, upbeat illustrations; and the celebration of diversity?don't make a successful whole.?Jane Marino, Scarsdale Public Library,
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist
Ages 4^-8. Made famous by the late Louis Armstrong, this Weiss and Thiele song is interpreted in carnival colors by Bryan. A group of multiracial children use a puppet stage with banners flying and puppets (including a Louis Armstrong lookalike) in a wide variety of hues to dramatize the songs' lyrics. Smiling children, glowing yellows and pinks, and brilliantly colored pastoral settings make this more than a tribute to Armstrong, to whom it is dedicated. In the deft hands of artist Bryan, it is a song of joy from the lyricists who wrote it, the man who sang it, and the artist who envisioned it. Janice Del Negro

See all Editorial Reviews
Product Details

* Reading level: Ages 4-8
* Hardcover: 32 pages
* Publisher: Atheneum (March 1, 1995)
* Language: English
* ISBN-10: 0689800878
* ISBN-13: 978-0689800870
* Product Dimensions: 12.1 x 10 x 0.4 inches
* Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces