What a Wonderful World

by Bob Thiele, George David Weiss, Tim Hopgood (Illustrator)

Overview

First recorded in 1967 by Louis Armstrong, and with sales of over one million copies, "What a Wonderful World" has become a poignant message of hope for people everywhere. Sweet and positive in its message, with bright, beautiful art, this book is sure to be a hit. Perfect for sharing!

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781466891302
Publisher:	Henry Holt and Co. (BYR)
Publication date:	02/17/2015
Sold by:	Macmillan
Format:	eBook
Pages:	32
File size:	6 MB
Age Range:	2 - 5 Years

About the Author

Tim Hopgood was six years old when he first heard Louis Armstrong's recording of "What a Wonderful World." Years later his daughter found a recording of the song in a flea market and gave it to him as a present. As soon as he heard Louis Armstrong's gravelly voice sing the first few lines, he knew he wanted to capture the joy of the song in a picture book

Tim Hopgood lives with his wife, children, and cats in North Yorkshire, England. A veteran graphic designer, he is the creator of more than ten picture books, including his book about colors, Wow! Said the Owl.

Editorial Reviews

…with sweet new illustrations by the British illustrator Tim Hopgood, [What a Wonderful World] will lend itself to many happy read-aloud sessions…Each page is a soft riot of color…

The New York Times - Maria Russo

Hopgood interprets this beloved ballad, written by Thiele and Weiss and made famous by Louis Armstrong. His colorful mixed-media collages present a hopeful world, filled with summery trees, sunny blue skies, and pastoral scenes from around the globe. . . . an upbeat story hour selection.” —Booklist

“With a satisfying night-to-day-to-night cycle, the book not only reinforces the concepts of colors but also provides a sense of security of the way things are supposed to be in the world. The repeated refrain of 'Wow!' throughout the book will elicit a chorus among young listeners at storytime.” —Booklist on Wow! Said the Owl

“Straightforward and flowing, this title makes a satisfying introduction to the colors of the day.” —School Library Journal on Wow! Said the Owl

“This sweet, wonder-filled picture book will make a good addition to toddler storytime and a perfect bedtime read, too.” —The Horn Book on Wow! Said the Owl

From the Publisher

Explore our wonderful world through the eyes of a young boy. The lyrics from the famous song, “What a Wonderful World,” guide the young boy through the world to see beautiful things in nature, such as green trees and red roses blooming. The young boy can see blue skies and white clouds as he floats through the sky in a hot air balloon. The young boy recognizes the bright day, dark night, and colors of the rainbow. He can see and feel things from the people around him as well. He sees friends shaking hands, saying “hello” or “I love you,” and babies crying as they grow. The young boy’s wonderment for the world grows on each page. The song lyrics provide a description for all of the bright and warm illustrations on each page. Readers can sing along with the lyrics and explore the wonderful world with the young boy. This book is a compelling depiction of Louis Armstrong’s famous song and will appeal to readers both young and old. Reviewer: Kristen Klotz; Ages 2 to 6.

Children's Literature - Kristen Klotz

01/01/2015
PreS-Gr 2—As a tribute to a favorite song, made famous by Louis Armstrong, Hopgood has illustrated the lyrics in a candy-colored retro fashion reminiscent of the It's a Small World ride at Disneyland. Unlike Ashley Bryan's version, with its emphasis on multicultural community, this book features a lone, olive-skinned boy who bonds with nature. A blue bird accompanies him on his adventures among friendly animals, lovely landscapes, and just a few children of varying skin tones. Although a recording is not included, the pacing of page turns will work well when paired with Armstrong's singing. The large trim size evokes the generosity of spirit of the song itself. A solid addition to most collections.—Heidi Estrin, Congregation B'nai Israel, Boca Raton, FL

School Library Journal