Grateful : A Song of Giving Thanks

Rating:
Summary: Great presentation of a classic song
Review: After all the packaging, the song is still the thing - and Bucchino's "Grateful" is one of the all time wonderful songs, and a tragedy that it is not more widely known.

However, the packaging is also wonderful here - sensitive illustrations, and Art Garfunkel (still sounding as good as he did 35 years ago!!!!) really "given the treatment" in a gorgeous full orchestration by Don Sebesky.

Highly recommended...

Rating:
Summary: 5 stars for concept, 3 for lyrics, 5 for illustrations.
Review: Although labeled for the three and up age range, my experience suggests this book will appeal more to parents and caregivers than to toddlers.

LYRICS: The lyrics repeatedly use words such as "duly" (as in "duly grateful") -- a contrived phrase which appears repeatedly, apparently because it rhymes with "truly grateful."

CONCEPTS: The ideas--gratitude and choices--are important, and do come across, but not to the age group targeted. Too often, the author tells us, rather than shows us.

Some of the book's concepts are simply inappropriate in terms of developmental level for little ones. For example, "There may be times when I lose the light, and let my spirits sink. But I can't stay depressed When I remember how I'm blessed." Three and four year olds talk and think in terms that are both literal as well as much simpler--glad, sad, mad, etc.

For these reasons, and especially for younger children, you may find it helpful to paraphrase the concepts on each page, using language and examples your little person will understand and relate to.

ILLUSTRATIONS. These are excellent. More than the lyrics, they convey the concepts on each page. Very gentle in their impact on the reader.

SONG. As an Art Garfunkel fan, I didn't find his rendition as inspiring as I'd hoped. It's on a short CD, a single track, less than 5 minutes in length. Finally, the tune isn't particularly catchy and it isn't easy to learn.

LYRICS & MUSIC. On the plus side, both the lyrics and music are included at the end of the book, along with the CD in its endcover envelope.

OVERALL: This is a book most suitable for a thoughtful six year old and a caring parent or grandparent to share and discuss.

Rating:
Summary: Not simply a picture book
Review: Anna-Lisa Hakkarainen's paintings are captivating, Art Garfunkel's wonderful, warm voice is perfect for the song (included on CD), but John Bucchino's music and lyrics transcend all. Grateful is at once tender and powerful. It is a celebration of life�s blessings, and speaks to the comfort and safety of love and faith. The beautiful lyrics are thought provoking for all ages, and will inspire young and old alike.

Sing it in gratitude from the heart, in your place of worship, at your child's bedside, or in the car with the windows down.

Rating:
Summary: Touching and soul searching
Review: I recently got to see and hear the story about this wonderful book from the author.He sang the song and accompanied himself on the piano, it was thrilling to hear the depth of feeling in this beautiful song. This book should be a holiday classic and be treated as a gift to all who read and hear it. The illustrations are beautiful and can be enjoyed by all ages.

Rating:
Summary: Says SOOOOO much in relatively so few words.....
Review: This book really says in a very few words all we need to know about living a full, rich, peaceful, serene life.

The illustrations actually filled my heart with those same feelings, eliciting quite a response physically and heartfully.

Add the included CD and it is no longer a question, adding this book to your library is a necessity.

In fact, it would make a good coffee table book.....

The simple text acknowledges that the world is not perfect... it is blemished, and it is up to us to choose whether to "moan or sing" and whether to "count sheep or our blessings".

This will be one I will collect several copies to give away and keep around my house.