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Write On, Irving Berlin!
Escaping persecution for being Jewish, the Baline family fled Russia and arrived by ship in New York City harbor in September 1893. Little Israel Isidore Baline is only five years old. After arriving at Ellis Island, the first stop for all immigrants, Israel and his family are ready to begin a new life in America. His family settles in the Lower East Side and soon Israel (now nicknamed Izzy) starts school. And while he learns English, he is not a very good student. According to his teachers he daydreams and sings in class. But while these may not be traits that are helpful in the classroom, these are wonderful tools for a budding singer and composer. And by the time that Izzy (now known as Irving) is a young man, he is well on his way to becoming one of the most well-known composers in America. This vivid picture-book biography examines the life of Irving Berlin, the distinguished artist whose songs, including "God Bless America," continue to be popular today.
32 pages, Hardcover
First published May 5, 2018
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
January 7, 2019
Kimmelman wrote a lovely picture book biography. In it she included a few YouTube links for some of Berlin's best known works: Oh I hate to get up in the morning; White Christmas sung by Bing Crosby; and God Bless America sung by Kate Smith which was a new singer for me. I wanted to know more but likely the author couldn't fit all that in. How many kids did Berlin have with his second wife (the first died months after the wedding)? It was interesting and depressing both that some people thought Berlin shouldn't have been writing God Bless America when he wasn't born here and was Jewish. Ditto for White Christmas. I didn't know Berlin lived to 101 years old! I liked the bibliography and the discography which included a biography written by Berlin's daughter as well as the aforementioned YouTube videos. I had a nice time listening to these songs again. Recommended especially since there are really very few biographies for kids on Irving Berlin!
June 11, 2021
Write On, Irving Berlin! is a children's picture book written by Leslie Kimmelman and illustrated by David C. Gardner. It centers on a Jewish immigrant's passage from pogroms in Russia to "God Bless America" to celebrate his beloved adopted home.
Irving Berlin was an American composer and lyricist, widely considered one of the greatest songwriters in American history.
Kimmelman's text is rather simplistic, straightforward, and informative. Kimmelman emphasizes Berlin's devotion to music and his love for his adopted country, as expressed through the song "God Bless America". Backmatter includes an author's note, selected songs, and further reading. Gardner's spreads alternate between bright and crisp scenes of Berlin writing and playing music and more expressive tableaus that show texture and emotion through blurred colors and residual pencil lines.
The premise of the book is rather straightforward. Irving Berlin was just a child when his family and so many others fled terror directed at Jews in czarist Russia for New York City's Lower East Side. It was a crowded, dirty, and very poor neighborhood of immigrants, but it allowed a musical boy who had never studied music to grow up and write songs. Israel, his given name, was not a good student in school, but, a cantor’s son, he had a head full of tunes. Early success led to music composed for fellow soldiers during World War I and then music written for Broadway and the movies. It was during World War II that he took out and polished up a song he'd written long ago. That song was "God Bless America," which is still sung and loved.
All in all, Write On, Irving Berlin! is a wonderful and heartfelt Americana biography of an immigrant and his love for music and his adopted country.
Irving Berlin was an American composer and lyricist, widely considered one of the greatest songwriters in American history.
Kimmelman's text is rather simplistic, straightforward, and informative. Kimmelman emphasizes Berlin's devotion to music and his love for his adopted country, as expressed through the song "God Bless America". Backmatter includes an author's note, selected songs, and further reading. Gardner's spreads alternate between bright and crisp scenes of Berlin writing and playing music and more expressive tableaus that show texture and emotion through blurred colors and residual pencil lines.
The premise of the book is rather straightforward. Irving Berlin was just a child when his family and so many others fled terror directed at Jews in czarist Russia for New York City's Lower East Side. It was a crowded, dirty, and very poor neighborhood of immigrants, but it allowed a musical boy who had never studied music to grow up and write songs. Israel, his given name, was not a good student in school, but, a cantor’s son, he had a head full of tunes. Early success led to music composed for fellow soldiers during World War I and then music written for Broadway and the movies. It was during World War II that he took out and polished up a song he'd written long ago. That song was "God Bless America," which is still sung and loved.
All in all, Write On, Irving Berlin! is a wonderful and heartfelt Americana biography of an immigrant and his love for music and his adopted country.
May 30, 2020
Irving Berlin was born Israel Baline in Russia in 1888. In 1893 when he was five, his family emigrated to America after their home was burned during a pogrom. Pogroms were violent anti-Semitic attacks common during that period in the Russian Empire.
Berlin only had a few years of formal schooling, dropping out at age thirteen to help support his family after his father died. In Russia, his father had been a cantor - the person who chants Jewish prayers and songs in the synagogue. Irving loved music too, and began to earn money from singing. He liked making up his own lyrics, and soon wrote both lyrics and music for new songs. (He taught himself to play the piano even though he could not read music.) His first big hit was “Alexander’s Ragtime Band,” which sparked a national dance craze and made him a celebrity.
He moved on to lyrical ballads, writing the wildly popular “A Pretty Girl is Like a Melody” and “Always,” which he dedicated to his eventual wife of more than sixty years, Ellin. He expanded his repertoire to all kinds of songs, and composed constantly:
“He scribbled ideas on napkins and on the sleeves of his shirt. He wrote songs in elevators and in taxicabs. He wrote songs in the bathtub. He wrote all night long.”
During his lifetime, Irving Berlin produced more than 1,500 songs, including “White Christmas” and “God Bless America.” [Composer Jerome Kern opined that Berlin’s best-known songs seemed “indivisible from the country's history and self-image.”]
The author points out that some people were angry that “God Bless America” was created by someone Jewish who wasn’t even born in America. But Irving Berlin loved America and the opportunities it had given him. He donated all the money he made from the song to the Boy and Girl Scouts of America. The author explains:
“It was his way of saying thank you to the country that had given him such a good life.”
He was the target of similar outrage over his 1942 song “White Christmas,” based on objections that a Jew was daring to write a song about a Christian holiday. But, the author writes, “most people just let the music fill their hearts.”
During World War II, Berlin was too old to fight, but not too old to contribute. He arranged a show to entertain the troops called “This is the Army” with a completely integrated cast - a rarity at that time. He gave all profits to wartime charities. When the war ended, Berlin turned his talents to the Broadway stage. “Annie Get Your Gun” was probably the most well-known of his shows.
Berlin died in 1989 at the age of 101, 96 years after coming to America. But, as the author notes, “his music lives on.” At a Kennedy Center tribute to Berlin in 1987, Walter Cronkite said, “Though he's not here with us tonight, he will be with us always. Wherever there is America, there is Irving Berlin.”
An Author’s Note, list of songs, and suggestions for further reading are at the conclusion of this book aimed at readers aged 6-10.
David C. Gardner, an award-winning illustrator, shows Berlin at different times in his life as he ages from a little boy on the ship to America coming into Ellis Island, to an old man admiring the Statue of Liberty, tying the two ends of his life together. Gardner uses a soft palette, varies the font, and adds musical notes that swirl through many of the pictures.
Evaluation: Any book that reminds me of so many wonderful favorites by this composer is welcome, and it is a bonus that children will learn that some of the music they too love was written by Irving Berlin; his name deserves to be remembered. His story of immigrant success is inspiring, and to the extent that readers seek out more information about his songs, they will be richly rewarded.
Berlin only had a few years of formal schooling, dropping out at age thirteen to help support his family after his father died. In Russia, his father had been a cantor - the person who chants Jewish prayers and songs in the synagogue. Irving loved music too, and began to earn money from singing. He liked making up his own lyrics, and soon wrote both lyrics and music for new songs. (He taught himself to play the piano even though he could not read music.) His first big hit was “Alexander’s Ragtime Band,” which sparked a national dance craze and made him a celebrity.
He moved on to lyrical ballads, writing the wildly popular “A Pretty Girl is Like a Melody” and “Always,” which he dedicated to his eventual wife of more than sixty years, Ellin. He expanded his repertoire to all kinds of songs, and composed constantly:
“He scribbled ideas on napkins and on the sleeves of his shirt. He wrote songs in elevators and in taxicabs. He wrote songs in the bathtub. He wrote all night long.”
During his lifetime, Irving Berlin produced more than 1,500 songs, including “White Christmas” and “God Bless America.” [Composer Jerome Kern opined that Berlin’s best-known songs seemed “indivisible from the country's history and self-image.”]
The author points out that some people were angry that “God Bless America” was created by someone Jewish who wasn’t even born in America. But Irving Berlin loved America and the opportunities it had given him. He donated all the money he made from the song to the Boy and Girl Scouts of America. The author explains:
“It was his way of saying thank you to the country that had given him such a good life.”
He was the target of similar outrage over his 1942 song “White Christmas,” based on objections that a Jew was daring to write a song about a Christian holiday. But, the author writes, “most people just let the music fill their hearts.”
During World War II, Berlin was too old to fight, but not too old to contribute. He arranged a show to entertain the troops called “This is the Army” with a completely integrated cast - a rarity at that time. He gave all profits to wartime charities. When the war ended, Berlin turned his talents to the Broadway stage. “Annie Get Your Gun” was probably the most well-known of his shows.
Berlin died in 1989 at the age of 101, 96 years after coming to America. But, as the author notes, “his music lives on.” At a Kennedy Center tribute to Berlin in 1987, Walter Cronkite said, “Though he's not here with us tonight, he will be with us always. Wherever there is America, there is Irving Berlin.”
An Author’s Note, list of songs, and suggestions for further reading are at the conclusion of this book aimed at readers aged 6-10.
David C. Gardner, an award-winning illustrator, shows Berlin at different times in his life as he ages from a little boy on the ship to America coming into Ellis Island, to an old man admiring the Statue of Liberty, tying the two ends of his life together. Gardner uses a soft palette, varies the font, and adds musical notes that swirl through many of the pictures.
Evaluation: Any book that reminds me of so many wonderful favorites by this composer is welcome, and it is a bonus that children will learn that some of the music they too love was written by Irving Berlin; his name deserves to be remembered. His story of immigrant success is inspiring, and to the extent that readers seek out more information about his songs, they will be richly rewarded.
March 3, 2019
Although I finished this lively picture book wanting to know a lot more about its subject, Irving Berlin, the author does an admirable job in bringing the composer to life. Arriving in the United States with his family when he was five, Irving (born Israel) and his family left Russia to avoid the pogroms that were sweeping through their homeland. They settled into the Lower East Side of New York where life was hard, money was scarce, but freedom was theirs. Israel (nicknamed Izzy) loved to sing, and began writing song lyrics. Although he had little musical training, he could hum the tunes that came to him while someone else recorded the music. Young readers may be surprised to learn that many of today's beloved classics, including "White Christmas," "God Bless America," "Always," and "Anything You Can Do (I Can Do Better)," came from the creative mind and heart of Irving Berlin. They also may be surprised that there were those who were offended that a Jewish immigrant wrote songs about this country or about Christmas. While there may be some who will see no particular value in a biography of this particular musician since the current generation may not be so familiar with his songs, I would disagree. Not only are these songs still a mainstay of our culture, his Berlin's story is a vivid reminder of the many contributions that immigrants have made to the fabric of the American story and way of life. Although he died at the age of 101 in 1989, it is a safe bet that his music will never go out of style. The text is accompanied by softly-colored illustrations that capture his personality and exuberant love for music. There is an Author's Note with more information as well as suggested reading, websites, and the author's favorite songs by Berlin. This book will be a fine addition to a text collection of musicians, creative spirits or immigrants.
July 17, 2018
Wow! What a fantastic story! I learned so much reading this book. This is a really interesting story about a great composer who wrote music for our country during some of its most trying times. I had no idea that some really well known songs - God Bless America and White Christmas were written by the same person with such an interesting background. I love learning about people who overcame great odds to do extraordinary things, and the nature of this book - being a picture book - makes it a great opportunity to teach my kids about one such situation. The watercolors are wonderful! Highly recommended!
December 4, 2019
A lovely picture book biography of the Russian Jewish immigrant who came to New York City as a kid and ended up writing over 1,500 songs over his lifetime, including some of America's best-loved songs--and he never had any formal music training. Couldn't read or write music, so he would hum the music and someone else wrote it down for him! Wonderfully illustrated by a former Disney Studios animator, which was a big draw for me; these pictures are great. My only tiny quibble is that there is a direct quote from Berlin that is not sourced.
December 4, 2019
A lovely picture book biography of the Russian Jewish immigrant who came to New York City as a kid and ended up writing over 1,500 songs over his lifetime, including some of America's best-loved songs--and he never had any formal music training. Couldn't read or write music, so he would hum the music and someone else wrote it down for him! Wonderfully illustrated by a former Disney Studios animator, which was a big draw for me; these pictures are great. My only tiny quibble is that there is a direct quote from Berlin that is not sourced.
January 12, 2025
This book about Irving Berlin checked all of the boxes for things that I like in a picture book biography. The illustrations were wonderful. The information was interesting, but not overly complex. They didn't shy away from challenging subjects such as anti-semitism in both Russia and the United State.
As far as Irving Berlin goes, color me impressed. I had no idea just how many songs he had composed. And all in the key of F#! He wrote "Anything You Can Do, I Can Do Better" in 15 minutes in a cab. What an incredible man!
As far as Irving Berlin goes, color me impressed. I had no idea just how many songs he had composed. And all in the key of F#! He wrote "Anything You Can Do, I Can Do Better" in 15 minutes in a cab. What an incredible man!
August 26, 2018
Insider's view into the life and times of Irving Berlin
Leslie Kimmelman's book, "Write on Irving Berlin," really gives readers an insiders view into the life and times of Irving Berlin. There are fascinating facts sprinkled throughout--that a Jewish immigrant wrote the songs: "White Christmas" and "God Bless America," and so much more! Plus, I had no idea that he scribbled ideas on napkins, the sleeves of his shirts, and wrote songs in elevators, taxicabs, and while he was in the bathtub!
Karen Rostoker-Gruber
Leslie Kimmelman's book, "Write on Irving Berlin," really gives readers an insiders view into the life and times of Irving Berlin. There are fascinating facts sprinkled throughout--that a Jewish immigrant wrote the songs: "White Christmas" and "God Bless America," and so much more! Plus, I had no idea that he scribbled ideas on napkins, the sleeves of his shirts, and wrote songs in elevators, taxicabs, and while he was in the bathtub!
Karen Rostoker-Gruber
February 28, 2019
This is a vivid biography of Irving Berlin, beautifully told and charmingly illustrated.
An inspiring story about a poor Jewish immigrant boy who daydreams too much and sings to himself.
As a teenager, he keeps singing. As an adult, he goes on to writing songs, even in the bath tub. And he gives all the money he made from his song, “God Bless America” to the Boy and Girl Scouts of America.
An inspiring story about a poor Jewish immigrant boy who daydreams too much and sings to himself.
As a teenager, he keeps singing. As an adult, he goes on to writing songs, even in the bath tub. And he gives all the money he made from his song, “God Bless America” to the Boy and Girl Scouts of America.
November 16, 2019
I love Irving Berlin. I can’t believe how prolific he was- over 1500 songs!!! An immigrant who loved his adopted home, fought for it, gave back to it... just an amazing man all around. The author lists some of her favorite songs by Berlin, further reading, and YouTube links to some of his music (including the man himself singing one of his songs).
February 1, 2022
"Write On, Irving Berlin!" is a beautiful story about Irving Berlin based on true events. It was very interesting to read about the story of the man who multiple well known songs, yet I had known nothing about him. This story was very interesting with good illustration and it definitely made me want to learn more about him!
July 17, 2019
Interesting biography about Irving Berlin, the man who wrote the songs God Bless America and White Christmas.
Good read for elementary school kids. Can be used for discussion about immigration and discrimination as well, since Irvin Berlin was a Jewish immigrant.
Good read for elementary school kids. Can be used for discussion about immigration and discrimination as well, since Irvin Berlin was a Jewish immigrant.
June 11, 2018
The life of song writer Irving Berlin illustrated in striking watercolors. I found it interesting that Berin integrated his show, "This Is the Army" while the army wasn't integrated.
October 10, 2018
Fun to read biography of a fascinating man. Appreciated all the specific references to his famous compositions and the notes for further study in the back.
March 2, 2019
I always see Irvin Berlin's White Christmas on the DVD cover when I watch ever year. Too bad I didn't connect the two, or even try and figure out how he was. He wrote a lot of good songs.
September 14, 2019
An elementary level picture book about the life of composer Irving Berlin from his childhood to his hit work.
July 23, 2025
Really loved this very informative and beautifully illustrated picture book biography of Irving Berlin!
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August 12, 2018This picture book biography with it's gentle watercolor illustrations brings the life of Irving Berlin to a young generation of readers.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews