Wednesday, August 12, 2015

New from Margaret Wise Brown (author of Goodnight Moon) GOODNIGHT SONGS: A CELEBRATION OF THE SEASONS: Illustrated by 12 Award-Winning Picture Book Artists [Review & Giveaway]

















Goodnight Moon occupies a warm spot in the heart of a multitude of children (now grown) and their parents (now aged). The author, Margaret Wise Brown, died an untimely death in 1952 but her memory lives on in the hearts and minds of those exposed to the sweet beauty of Goodnight Moon.
A Celebration of the Seasons at Sterling Children's Books
Fluffy clouds, butterflies, furry bunnies,
and life from a bug's-eye view

The following information was provided by Sterling Publishing:  
It’s a little-known fact that Margaret Wise Brown, the legendary author behind Goodnight Moon, had contracts with three different record companies. It was her dream to do for children’s music what she had done for picture books; yet by the time of her untimely death at age 42, only a handful of her songs had been produced. The rest, hundreds of unpublished poems and manuscripts, were packed in a trunk in her sister’s barn where they sat for decades.
Now, Sterling Children’s Books seeks to realize Brown’s dream with Goodnight Songs: A Celebration of the Seasons, the follow up to the New York Times best selling Goodnight Songs. As with the original, this collection brings together twelve of the poems that were discovered in Brown’s sister’s home—all but two of which have never before been published—and sets each to an original score by musicians Tom Proutt and Emily Gary.
Each of Brown’s songs is further brought to life through gorgeous illustrations by twelve award-winning artists. The roster of celebrated names includes Peter Brown, whose books have earned numerous honors, including a Caldecott Honor, a Horn Book Award, two E. B. White Awards, a Children’s Choice Award for Illustrator of the Year, and a New York Times Best Illustrated Book Award; David Small, whose many awards include the Caldecott Medal and two Caldecott Honors; and Coretta Scott King Award winner Floyd Cooper. Children will enjoy poring through the book’s illustrations over and over again as they listen to the accompanying CD of Brown’s sweet lullabies.
My thoughts: I was given the opportunity to review A Celebration of the Seasons published by Sterling Publishing and absolutely delighted to do so. I thoroughly enjoyed reading and listening to the songs. The book is beautifully illustrated showing each of the seasons fittingly illustrated and in keeping with the words of the "poem" for that season.

After her songs were found, then gentle folksy, blue-grassy, ballad style music was added. The result is this lovely book, A Celebration of the Seasons, with accompanying CD tucked into a little pocket ready to be played so kiddies can sing along.

This is reminiscent of records I had for my children (grown now). I especially recall a Burl Ives record and "book." Lovely songs sung by the legend of the folk ballad himself, Mr. Ives. This type of book with accompanying record was a vision of Margaret Wise Brown that has now been fulfilled with her own works.

What are my favorites in the book? Oh my that is so difficult to choose. I particularly enjoyed "Cherry Tree" because it encompasses the passing of the seasons of the Cherry Tree and the child's interaction around the tree. It is sweet, simple, salient.

"There was a time When the cherries were red That I lay on the grass and they fell on my head" .... "But now my dear tree Where the cherries were red Is frozen and gray, The birds are all fled.".....

I love the wonderful variety of illustrations for the seasons. The publisher was particularly astute in selecting the 12 artists because their interpretation artistically adds a dimension of richness to this book already so rich in heritage.

Click to "listen to" some songs of A Celebration of the Seasons 
(You'll drifting high, high up in the sky, etc.)

I simply enjoyed this book and know when I pass it along to my grandchildren they, too, will spend many hours within its pages and listening to these sweet songs.
GIVEAWAY
Begins August 12 & ENDS September 3 @ 12:01 a.m. EDT.
 Open to USA addresses only.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
DISCLOSURE: I was provided a complimentary product to facilitate this review by Sterling Publishing. Opinions expressed are my own. Product information was provided by Sterling Publishing. Giveaway copy is provided by Sterling shipped by them to the winner. I was not compensated for this review.

40 comments:

  1. I woke up alive today which has made me happy.

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  2. God is my hope every single days his promises keep me going.

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  3. My son is visiting; he made me happy today. I know that Jesus loves me, so that gives me hope!

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  4. My Monarch butterfly hatched today it is so beautiful.

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  5. I was happy because one of my students used a big word that I use often and she used it correctly in a sentence.

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  6. I have hope that things will get easier come fall time.

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  8. This is such a beautiful picture book! The sing-along is wonderful!

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  9. I am happy today because I have been blessed with life another beautiful day !
    I have hope today because I have laid my burdens and lifted my prayers to God this morning.

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  10. My flower garden made me happy today; I've worked hard on it this year and it's looking great.

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  11. My daughter's happiness give me hope that we'll always be a happy family together.

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  12. I am really loving all the beautiful comments. Hope and happiness are true blessings poured out on us

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  13. My son made me happy with his giggles this morning.

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  14. I am happy today because a family member came to visit after not seeing one another in a long time!

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  15. I always try to keep hope for I have a son with special needs and we are told he will never be able to do something and I keep trying and never give up hope. I was told he would never talk and I didn't give up hope and now he talks and even in sentences.

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    1. Yes! Do continue to hope and trust and try and then hope some more. Blessings to you on caring for and loving your son.

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  16. I absolutely love the cover of this book :o)

    Hopping over from the kid lit blog hop.

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  17. What a mark Margaret Wise Brown has made on our world through her writing! Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this book at Booknificent Thursday this week!
    Tina

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  18. My son has made me happy, he gave me the biggest hug and kiss today and told me I was the sweetest, best Mommy in the world and it over flowed my heart with love!

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    1. The love, pure and unconditional, of a child is such a treasure. You value every incident and every moment that their love brings into your life!

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  19. I am happy today because it is a gorgeous day that shows the promise of a beautiful fall!

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  20. I have hope that through all of the trials of life, I have my Heavenly Father to walk with me.

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  21. My family makes me happy!

    Nancy
    allibrary (at) aol (dot) com

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  22. Faith in God gives me hope.

    Nancy
    allibrary (at) aol (dot) com

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  23. Today I am happy because it is my son's first birthday, and his grandma is in town. She has just recovered from stage four cancer, so we have a lot to celebrate! We are so blessed.

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  24. God's faithfulness and protraction give me hope!

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  25. Getting a little extra rest made me happy today! :)

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  26. Knowing I'm a child of God gives me hope!

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  27. My husband gives me hope every day.

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  28. My daughter and my husband have made me happy today!

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  29. Our air conditioner isn't working and my husband thinks her might be able to fix it -that gave me hope.

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  30. My wife and daughter make me very happy.

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  31. I have hope today to fix my broke air-conditioner.

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  32. What made me smile today was seeing my son come off of the bus after his second day of kindergarten! On his first day, the teacher forgot about him, and he never made it onto the bus to come home.. He's special needs and doesnt talk well. soooooo that wasn't fun at all! but he made it home today!

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  33. Seeing people battle with weight, successfully loose weight. I need to loose 15 more before I can try for my third, and final child, due to health issues. So seeing others do it gives me hope that I can loose the weight.

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  34. I am happy that I got some work completed that I hated doing.

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  35. I have Hope because Fleet Week is coming soon to our area and they just started advertising with colorful posters so all of the patriotism gives me hope.

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