Overview
Let There Be Peace on Earth and Let It Begin with Me
These cherished words have sounded a call for peace the world over since 1955. The song of the same name has echoed through schools and churches, community centers and summer camps, the White House, and meetings of the United Nations. It has touched hearts from South Africa to New Zealand, from Russia to Japan. "Let There Be Peace on Earth" has been recorded and performed by countless singers including Nat King Cole, Gladys Knight, Vince Gill, and many more.
Now available for the first time as a picture book, Jill Jackson and Sy Miller's lyrics have been beautifully interpreted by Caldecott Medal-winning artist David Diaz. Diaz's luminous illustrations, featuring peace symbols from many cultures, and a 12-track audio CD introduce this beloved song and its valuable message to a new generation.
Synopsis
Let There Be Peace on Earth and Let It Begin with Me
These cherished words have sounded a call for peace the world over since 1955. The song of the same name has echoed through schools and churches, community centers and summer camps, the White House, and meetings of the United Nations. It has touched hearts from South Africa to New Zealand, from Russia to Japan. "Let There Be Peace on Earth" has been recorded and performed by countless singers including Nat King Cole, Gladys Knight, Vince Gill, and many more.
Now available for the first time as a picture book, Jill Jackson and Sy Miller's lyrics have been beautifully interpreted by Caldecott Medal-winning artist David Diaz. Diaz's luminous illustrations, featuring peace symbols from many cultures, and a 12-track audio CD introduce this beloved song and its valuable message to a new generation.
Kirkus Reviews
A popular peace anthem makes its picture-book debut, with simple lyrics celebrating the hope for a better world. In 1955, a group of 180 teenagers linked arms and hearts and sang this song. It has since been recorded by numerous artists, strummed around campfires and used as a theme for UNICEF. In radiant, familiar Diaz style, peace symbols from around the world illuminate the text. Glowing white doves settle next to curling tufts of grass, while fiery red cranes fly overhead. Teaching world peace is inarguably worthwhile. But the purpose of this song isn't to explain peace; instead, it is a call to individual action. The words "let it begin with me" are powerful-even children can do their part. Will the song resonate as much with young readers as it did with the original teenagers who first banded together? Likely not. But kids play a vital role in changing this world. The more quickly they learn that everyone can make a difference, the better. (CD, sheet music, history of song and composers, list of peace symbols) (Picture book. 7-10)