Happy Birthday to You!: The Mystery Behind the Most Famous Song in the World

by Margot Theis Raven, Chris K. Soentpiet (Illustrator)

Overview

Imagine having a brithday with no one singing the song "Happy Birthday to You." Before the 1900s that's exactly the way things were. You might have had presents, cake, candles, and cards, but there was no Happy Birthday song to sing, because it had not yet been written.

Then once upon a happy day the famous song was born.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781627532228
Publisher:	Sleeping Bear Press
Publication date:	08/15/2013
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	40
File size:	3 MB
Age Range:	6 - 9 Years

Editorial Reviews

Gr 1-4

The story behind these words and music is truly an American tale of a large loving family blessed to share their creativity with those around them. Two Kentucky sisters, Patty and Mildred Hill-teacher and composer-created the song as a second verse to their "Good Morning to You" melody, which was shared with Ms. Patty's kindergarten class on a daily basis. A lovely succession of watercolor paintings depicts the latter half of the 19th century in Louisville and illuminates the thoughtful expressions and joyful faces of the Hill family. With a final historical note, readers find the record of the Hills' service to education and eventual recognition in the academic world. Forget what you remember about Irving Berlin's connection with the tune-the copyright for this title was correctly assigned 45 years after it was composed, an eye-opener for history and trivia lovers in all libraries.-Mary Elam, Forman Elementary School, Plano, TX

School Library Journal