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Sing
"Sing! Sing a song. Sing out loud, sing out strong." So begins a song first made popular on Sesame Street, then interpreted by singers of every style, from Gloria Estefan to the Dixie Chicks to R.E.M., as well as famous personalities such as Conan O'Brien, Katie Couric, Nathan Lane, and Liam Neeson. Now, bestselling children's book illustrator Tom Lichtenheld has put a visual story to this timeless and universal song that celebrates perseverance, self-expression, and the power of music to help each of us find our voice.
40 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 21, 2011
4 people are currently reading
199 people want to read
About the author
Joe Raposo
37 books8 followersJoseph Guilherme Raposo, OIH (February 8, 1937 – February 5, 1989) was an American composer and songwriter, best known for his work on the children's television series Sesame Street, for which he wrote the theme song, as well as classic songs such as "Bein' Green", "C Is For Cookie" and "Sing" (later a #3 hit for The Carpenters). He also wrote music for television shows such as The Electric Company, Shining Time Station and the sitcoms Three's Company and The Ropers, including their theme songs. In addition to these works, Raposo also composed extensively for three Dr. Seuss TV specials in collaboration with the DePatie-Freleng Enterprises: Halloween Is Grinch Night (1977), Pontoffel Pock, Where Are You? (1980), and The Grinch Grinches the Cat in the Hat (1982).
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 98 reviews
December 20, 2014
Sing is the perfect book to encourage young readers to find their own voice. It starts off with a nest full of birds singing together, but as each one leaves the nest, they carry with them Their song until finally a little bird is left all alone and not able to sing. Try as it might, the little bird just can't find her voice. A boy comes along and sits under her tree and sings his little heart out. It is amazing what a little encouragement will do for a young soul. The lyrics are quite popular, if you have ever watched Sesame Street but somehow, the author made it even better with his illustrations.
April 21, 2014
I probably read this in less than 2 minutes, but I LOVED IT SO MUCH. It’s super cute and even comes with a CD so I can relive my Sesame Street childhood whenever I want. I’m also pretty sure I enjoyed this more than my kids. I ain’t even bothered.
May 20, 2025
Joe Raposo composed some of the songs the classic television series Sesame Street is best known for, and "Sing" from 1971 is arguably his crown jewel. Illustrator Tom Lichtenheld brings the tune to life in this picture book that underscores the song's meaning.
Three colorful birds start out in a nest, until the green one begins to sing and flies off on his own. The orange bird follows suit, but the purple one can't think of a melody or words worth singing. He mourns the loss of his friends...until a boy settles in on the ground below his nest, and performs a song about the importance of creative expression. With rejuvenated hope the purple bird swoops away to take a chance and join the other birds in a song.
"Sing,
sing a song.
Make it simple to last your whole life long.
Don't worry that it's not good enough for anyone else to hear.
Just sing,
Sing a song!"
As you discover your identity in life, the effect can be jarring. Others may mock your efforts to craft a song that tells the story of who you are and offers your talents in service to friends and family; they may consider you odd, your friendship not worth having. It's tempting to chuck the unique song you're working on and sing what everyone else is, but you'll never fit in with those who have contempt for you. Instead, refine the message of your own song so it clearly conveys your values and is easy to wield. Perfecting it is impossible, but you can use your song so others understand the good you offer their lives. When you find that your song accomplishes all this, you'll know you did it right.
I love "Sing" in all its iterations, especially the hit single released by the Carpenters in 1973. For the sake of space the lyrics are abridged in this book, but the most important parts are present. Thank you to Joe Raposo and Tom Lichtenheld for a powerful song and story.
Three colorful birds start out in a nest, until the green one begins to sing and flies off on his own. The orange bird follows suit, but the purple one can't think of a melody or words worth singing. He mourns the loss of his friends...until a boy settles in on the ground below his nest, and performs a song about the importance of creative expression. With rejuvenated hope the purple bird swoops away to take a chance and join the other birds in a song.
"Sing,
sing a song.
Make it simple to last your whole life long.
Don't worry that it's not good enough for anyone else to hear.
Just sing,
Sing a song!"
As you discover your identity in life, the effect can be jarring. Others may mock your efforts to craft a song that tells the story of who you are and offers your talents in service to friends and family; they may consider you odd, your friendship not worth having. It's tempting to chuck the unique song you're working on and sing what everyone else is, but you'll never fit in with those who have contempt for you. Instead, refine the message of your own song so it clearly conveys your values and is easy to wield. Perfecting it is impossible, but you can use your song so others understand the good you offer their lives. When you find that your song accomplishes all this, you'll know you did it right.
I love "Sing" in all its iterations, especially the hit single released by the Carpenters in 1973. For the sake of space the lyrics are abridged in this book, but the most important parts are present. Thank you to Joe Raposo and Tom Lichtenheld for a powerful song and story.
June 14, 2013
Another gem from illustrator extraordinaire Tom Lichtenheld. This is an illustrated version of the song "Sing ( Sing A Song)". The little bird is so sweet. It's a great story about finding your voice and following your own path. Great story.
June 23, 2013
A delightfully illustrated interpretation of the beloved Sesame Street song. Includes a CD.
January 29, 2014
This song will always, always bring me back to my beloved Sesame Street. A lovely book and picture story paired along with the original lyrics.
February 19, 2015
It's a quick cute little read. Easy to teach kids how to sing this song. I just thought that it was a really sweet book.
March 30, 2024
This is a cute book about a bird who suffers from laryngitis…or maybe it’s just a lack of inspiration. As someone comes along to sing this famous song that was made popular on Sesame Street, the bird is pushed up, up and away by the printed notes on the page and finally finds its voice.
This is a story about inspiration finding us just when we’ve given up, about pushing through when others don’t like what you’re singing and about just not giving a cuss because no one else gets it. You just sing. For children who like to sing (and sing off key), this book is a reminder of the joy of simply singing out loud.
This is a story about inspiration finding us just when we’ve given up, about pushing through when others don’t like what you’re singing and about just not giving a cuss because no one else gets it. You just sing. For children who like to sing (and sing off key), this book is a reminder of the joy of simply singing out loud.
February 7, 2017
Many from my generation would remember this song from versions by The Carpenters or Sesame Street. Three little birds are in a nest, but one is having difficulty getting his song out until a helper with a guitar comes along. Cute but essentially wordless until the song starts, so the reader will need to give a child listener some context and explanation for the visuals.
September 9, 2019
My daughter says that she enjoyed this book. She likes/did sing along. She liked that all the birds were singing together in the end. She thought that the one little grayish bird didn't have any friends and she didn't like that. She also enjoyed the illustrations. She said she would listen to me read that book again.
June 4, 2021
That lonely sad bird really got me. I hate seeing animals sad and omg, my heart broke when I saw the bird. It was really upset and depressed! But spoiler alert the story gets better and the bird ends up happy so whew! All good. The illustrations are really adorable. The birds are so flippin cute! The book is based on the song "Sing" by Joe Raposo.
October 6, 2024
This was such a cute and heartwarming book! I had learned this song as a kid and it became the song that bolstered me up whenever life was difficult. As I read this book it brought back so many fun memories of my childhood. This will definitely be on my bookshelf in the future for my children to enjoy. I loved how the artist showed the little bird finding his voice by the end.
October 15, 2018
GREAT book! LOVED IT! The illustrations are perfect and convey very strong emotion. The storyline moves along sadly until music enters. This is beautifully done. I hope it will win an award soon. BRAVO! Music teachers will especially love it. Highly recommended for Grades K-5.
February 6, 2019
a book you can sing, based on a classic song... the only thing i did not like is that it's about a boy singing to a bird... and the pictures are the boy singing and the bird... but the message is still there. be yourself. be happy. and sing!!!
May 13, 2019
Loved this on many levels. The wordless part of the story was expressive and throughout there was brilliant illustration of theme. The book almost glows with its vibrant palette and uplifting message.
January 10, 2020
I am not sure about using this in story time despite Polly's statement that it is important to be role models for singing even if you can't sing. I do a fair bit, admittedly poorly, since I can barely carry a tune. However, this is a bit out of my flubbing comfort zone.
June 5, 2020
This song is one from my childhood. It brings back fond memories and I love how they have put it to music. The illustration is beautiful. I love singing it as we read to my kids and now it is one of their favorites too.
February 28, 2024
Jack borrowed this book from the Ashland Public Library.
At first, he didn’t seem interested, but once I started singing, he perked right up. When I finished reading, he carried the book off and flipped through the pages and mimicked my singing.
At first, he didn’t seem interested, but once I started singing, he perked right up. When I finished reading, he carried the book off and flipped through the pages and mimicked my singing.
February 15, 2018
Beautiful song, beautiful message, beautiful book!
May 7, 2018
A really cute interpretation with a positive message of a classic song.
June 7, 2018
I cannot say enough about the joy Lichtenheld's art brings me. He was the perfect choice for Sing.
June 15, 2018
2018 storytime: baby music
May 6, 2019
One of my favorite childhood songs. This and Rainbow Connection still bring tears to my eyes. Happy to find it as a book with sweet, simple illustrations to share with my storytimers.
May 22, 2019
An absolutely adorable and perfect setting for a favorite song.
May 30, 2019
Encouragement illustrated, using the song made popular on Sesame Street in the 1970s. Great story hour material for babies through memory care units.
October 25, 2020
Love. We love this song from Sesame Street and this book is beautiful.
December 3, 2022
I suppose you have to like the song to like the book. I never really did which probably makes me a grump. Oh well.
July 7, 2023
I have a real fondness for this song, and without adding any other words, the pictures do make it a story, and it works. There is a nice note from Raposo's son at the end.
February 2, 2024
This story made me smile. That’s it! You should read it, and enjoy the illustrations that bring this little tune to life.
October 9, 2024
This was such a great book! The illustrations are cute and brightly colored, and I love that the book comes with a CD.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 98 reviews