Grateful: A Song of Giving Thanks (Julie Andrews Collection)

CD with an original recording by Art Garfunkel included

Once in a while, a perfect union of words and music creates a transcendent song that soars from the heart and speaks to every soul ...

Grateful is such an anthem — a loving reminder of the gifts available to us when we approach life with gratitude. It is a song that inspires courage, compassion, and hope.

In this exquisite picture book and accompanying CD recorded by Art Garfunkel, Anna-Lisa Hakkarainen's radiant paintings bring John Bucchino's words to life. A joyous celebration of the beauty of the seasons, the wonders of nature, and the blessings of faith, here is a gift to be treasured by children and adults of all ages.

Judy Crowder - Children's Literature

In this brisk-paced, consumer-driven world, when are children encouraged to pause and think about what they have? This gentle, drowsy but uplifting book, with its Christian slant, helps readers, young and old, stop and take stock. Bucchino, an award-winning composer and lyricist, has written music for Dreamworks as well as musicals. The words of his song are beautifully illustrated in bold colors by Finish artist Hakkaarainen, also an award-winner in her field. This is a perfect book for Fall, with Thanksgiving looming, followed by the most consumer/gift-giving holiday of all, Christmas. Although its religious slant may prevent this book from making the public schools, it should find a grateful audience in churches, church-based schools and day cares. The book includes a simplified musical score and CD, with singing by Art Garfunkel. Lovely, just lovely. 2003, HarperCollins Publishers, Ages 3 up.