♥ Children's Book of the Month: Feb 2022♥
(suggested) reading age: 6+
(suggested) interest age: dan 7
Illustrations: Emily Gravett
Gwales Description:
A Welsh adaptation by Endaf Griffiths of A Song of Gladness by Michael Morpurgo, with artwork by Emily Gravett. 'Our song is your song. Your song is our song'. The rich text and illustrations are a celebration of our wonderful planet and of all living things.
Review by Ceri Parry, Mum of 4 / Primary Teacher- reception/yr.1
This is a wonderful and beautifully written book with an important message for the readers. The story begins with an old man explaining to the little blackbird that there’s much sadness in the world. The little blackbird has an idea and goes on to share the message with the fox. The message is passed from one animal to another, and the reader comes to meet all kinds of colourful and diverse animals of the world as the animals unite to share the message. The story ends with a sense of pride and unity as everyone sings as one to share the little blackbird’s message.
I presented the story during a service for young children between the ages of three and eight. Everyone listened intently, enjoying the story and eager to guess the little blackbird’s message. The book is full of colourful and detailed illustrations that engage the children as well as introducing a variety of animals on our planet. The pictures were a great springboard for discussion and a wonderful way to introduce some unfamiliar animals. The story can be used for all sorts of learning opportunities within a primary school context.
This book challenges us to consider our amazing planet and how to care for it. It’s a wonderful thing to share with a class to reinforce the message of caring for our world.
Gwales Review - Hawys Roberts
Do you love nature? Do you want to do your part to make sure the world is a better place to live? Why not listen to the message of the animals in this colourful, vivid story?
It all starts with the blackbird and its wonderful song in the garden. And what is his message? He sings a song of hope.
He wants to cheer and share the good news everywhere. Although we can be demoralized at times, and stories of despair about the state of our world often make us sad, we need to cheer up, and come together to make things better.
The song of the blackbird leaves the garden and reaches into every corner of the world. Through the beautiful pictures we meet animals from all over the world – from the grasshoper and the smallest little mouse in the corner of the field, to the big gorillas in the tropical forests and camels in the desert.
The crocodile is in its marsh, the salmon and trout in the rivers, and the eagles on the mountain, all listen and get excited. Even the snow melts, and the song of the blackbird accompanies the stream from the mountain and out to sea. Everyone has the same message – we need to take care of this lovely planet.
Back in the garden, the blackbird is satisfied. It is our responsibility today to change the situation, and to look forward to a better future. In the words of the blackbird himself, 'Our song is your song, and your song is our song.'
A review from www.gwales.com, with the permission of the Books Council of Wales.
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