Product Description

This first illustrated picture book of Irving Berlin's classic song celebrates America and invites young readers -- and singers -- to experience all of her colorful glory, from the mountains to the prairies.

Lyrics by America's most celebrated songwriter, together with Lynn Munsinger's heartwarming illustrations, are sure to comfort and inspire young patriots across the nation.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #1001158 in Books
• Published on: 2002-06-01
• Released on: 2002-06-04
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 32 pages

Amazon.com Review
Illustrator Lynn Munsinger, along with a very cute family of bears, brings 20th-century songwriter Irving Berlin's 1938 classic to life in God Bless America, a warm, nostalgic picture book packaged with a CD of the song sung by none other than Barbra Streisand. Berlin's original lyrics are accompanied by various scenes of a bear father and his two cubs on a road trip--from the mountains, to the prairies, to the ocean white with foam. Along the way they witness a parade of firefighters and police officers, stop at the Lincoln Monument, and stand in the crown of the Statue of Liberty. The trip ends back at the ranch: "My home sweet home." Inspired youngsters will find the musical notation to the song at the back of the book. A portion of the publisher's proceeds will be donated to the God Bless America Fund to benefit American youth. (Ages 4 to 8)

From Publishers Weekly
In another song-lyrics-turned picture book-text, God Bless America by Irving Berlin, illus. by Lynn Munsinger, comes packaged with a CD, with the tune sung by none other than Barbra Streisand. Munsinger keeps the focus on Manhattan in an opening scene as well as with a parade of police officers and fire fighters, but she also adds cherry blossoms to a scene of the Lincoln Memorial at the capital, and of course the mountains, prairies and oceans (white with foam). Ages 3-7.
Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist
PreS. Irving Berlin wrote it, Barbra Streisand sings it on a CD that comes with the trade edition, and Munsinger illustrates it for young preschoolers with clear, upbeat, light-filled pictures that show a family of bears visiting New York, honoring brave firefighters and policemen in a parade, and then traveling across their beautiful country--"from the mountains to the prairies to the oceans . . ." Fireworks at the soaring Statue of Liberty are a fitting climax; then it's hugs and kisses and a view of the flag at home sweet home. The words and musical notation are appended, and the endpapers feature snapshot views of sights and monuments across the U.S., from the Liberty Bell to the Golden Gate Bridge. The art is a far cry from Munsinger's usual wild nonsense, but it shows the same intimate, smiling, affectionate view of the small child's place, safe in the arms of Dad, while opening up to a widening world. Hazel Rochman
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Customer Reviews

The Best Patriotic Children's Book I've Seen Yet
Most patriotic children's books get sappy or trite ... but not this one. The words are merely the lyrics of the great song. However, the illustrations that bring those words to life create a wonderful, colorful celebration of our country, without being overly sentimental. They are so well done they stir up feelings nonetheless. When you turn the page to the fireworks over The Statue of Liberty, goosebumps are guaranteed. My kids loved the family trip across the U.S. This is Lynn Munsinger at her best! I highly recommend this book over any other I've ever seen.

Great book!
This is a wonderful picture book. I am using it for second language learners during summer school. This also appeals to the musician in me. I plan to play the CD of God Bless America while showing the book to the students.

Simply beautiful
This book with its simple illustrations will allow me to teach this spiritual patriotic song to my music students.