What a Wonderful World Picture Book

by Ashley Bryan (Illustrator), George David Weiss (Original Song), Bob Thiele (Original Song)

What simpler way could there be to express to children the beauty and the harmony in the world around them than through the lyrics of this song by George David Weiss and Bob Thiele, made famous by the great Louis Armstrong? And what better visual accompaniment than the bright colorful artwork by award-winning Ashley Bryan depicting children of many backgrounds (and Louis Armstrong himself) performing a puppet show that brings the lyrics to life. Here is a book of brightness, wonder, and hope to be shared by all.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Music, Storytime, Cultural, Jazz, The World

32 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1994

About the author

Ashley Bryan was an illustrator, children's author, and poet.

Ashley Bryan (1923–2022) grew up to the sound of his mother singing from morning to night, and he shared the joy of song with children. A beloved illustrator, he was named a Newbery Honoree for his picture book, Freedom Over Me. He also received the Coretta Scott King—Virginia Hamilton Lifetime Achievement Award, the Laura Ingalls Wilder Award, was a May Hill Arbuthnot lecturer, a Coretta Scott King Award winner, and the recipient of countless other awards and recognitions. His books include Freedom Over Me; Sail Away; Beautiful Blackbird; Beat the Story-Drum, Pum Pum; Let It Shine; Ashley Bryan’s Book of Puppets; and What a Wonderful World. He lived in Islesford, one of the Cranberry Isles off the coast of Maine.

Reviews

[Sarah Frobisher · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful illustrations, the kids like it. It is a book that you feel good reading to your kids.

[Jeannie Parker · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book and song! Louis Armstrong is an amazing songwriter and musician. This book can be used to introduce Louis Armstrong and even when teaching about the Harlem Renaissance.

[Megan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Genre: Picture Book
Audience: K-4
Theme: Appreciation of the world in which we live
Curricular Uses: Read-Aloud, Independent Reading, Shared Reading
Reading Level: Early Readers
Literary Elements: Rhyme, Alliteration, Repetition of the phrase "what a wonderful world"
Illustrations: Bright, colorful, illustrations reinforce the text and bring to life the theme of appreciation of the world.
Issues: Accepting differences
Additional Comments: I used this book for my multi modal. Added the song "What a Wonderful World" to the text to reinforce the theme of appreciation. This is a fun book for students to read and learn to appreciate the simple things in life that make this world a wonderful place.

[Maria K. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another one of my favorite children's books for it's simply wonderful message and bright, fun illustrations. It was given to my oldest child by his Godmother on his baptismal day. What makes it most special is the inscription she wrote inside:
"Dear Ian,
What a wonderful world! Today you are surrounded by family and friends, people who love you. Wherever you go, wherever you'll be, there will always be someone who cares for you...is thinking of you. We'll watch you grow and live your life. We'll be there for you if there's ever a need.
So, Ian, read this book and remember how amazing life will be.
See? What a wonderful world! Love, Kate"
Since then I have given this book with my own similar inscription to others as a baby gift, baptism gift or 1st Birthday gift.

[Amy B. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Weiss, G. (1967). What a wonderful world. New York, NY. Atheneum Books for Young Readers.

The familiar tune will sure strike a memory with anyone who is a fan of Louis Armstrong’s famous lyrics. It the book the illustrations are sure to catch the eye and get children talking about the world in which we live. The award winning illustrator, Bryan, also captures images of Louis and his venture around a world so diverse and wonderful. Children are sure to see themselves represented in the world in this colorful and vibrant text. Pair with Louis Armstrong’s song and you are sure to get a response from listeners.

[Laiken_123 · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a reader, I loved this book and the illustrations. I actually have this book in a hardback copy, and it is signed by the illustrator! This was read to me in elementary school and it is still one of my favorites.

As a future teacher, I will definitely use this in my classroom. For younger levels, it's a great book to introduce poetry and rhyme. Plus, the illustrations will capture the attention of the students with the bright colors. Love it!

[Antonio · Rating 5 out of 5]

This brilliant book is based off of the song made famous by the legendary jazz singer Louis Armstrong, “What a Wonderful World.” The book is an excellent way to demonstrate to students the beauty of all races, religions, and cultures. In addition, “What a Wonderful World,” can be used to introduce the Jazz Age to students.

[Cherese · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful colorful illustrations that are suitable for programs on unity, diversity, friendship and love. I don't read the book when I use it in storytime. I use the song on "Jazz for Kids" #11. http://www.amazon.com/Jazz-Kids-Sing-...
Parents and teachers have been moved when I have used this book during my storytimes.

[Mhm Storytelling · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book illustrates the lyrics of the song "What a wonderful world." I think this could work well with a music theme. It also provides an opportunity to celebrate the diversity of the world. The pictures are vividly colored and the text is simple. This book could become a sing along when combined with the song.

[Gusson Abdallah · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a wonderful children's book. It teaches children how to appreciate all their surroundings. As well as appreciating their surroundings, it hints to kids how wonderful it is to observe the world around them. The illustrations are great, and I would definitely recommend the book in a young children's class.

[Kyle Greenberg · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the book "What a Wonderful World". This book would be a great book to read-aloud to students of all different ages. Not only does it go along with the song, but it multicultural diverse through both the words and the illustrations. Students can learn a lot through the book and relate it to real life and historical fiction as well.

[Dania · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my absolute favorite book. I am now 23 but I can still hear my grandmother singing this song to me as we flipped the pages of this book. Parents, if you want a book that will encourage your children to see the beauty in everyone and everything, each and every day, please purchase this book. Be blessed and I hope you enjoy this.

[Loree · Rating 4 out of 5]

I remember dancing to this song with my grandfather... This joyfully illustrated book is a delightful way to introduce children to this song of yesteryear. Nice tribute... ever so glad that Louie Armstrong made this song popular so that my grandfather and I could dance to it.

[Cassie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the bright pictures! It brings to life the story o a timeless song. This could open many many conversations and lessons for kids! Lessons about diversity use of poem... Jazz music history.........
This book is super rad!

The end

[Jennifer Bryant · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fun, happy book. Students will explore great, colorful pictures. This book is a very inspirational; it lets you see the bright side of the world. The book is also very multicultural involving people from all over the world in the illustrations.

[Lynne Vanderveen · Rating 4 out of 5]

The lyrics to the well-known song serve as the text to go with the beautiful illustrations by Ashley Bryan. His artwork always makes a book light up, and the words to the song are likewise compelling.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved so much about this book -- the beautiful calligraphy; the vibrant, rich colors; the textures -- except for the creepy puppet people.

And, OF COURSE, I sang it. I would so buy this book if it weren't for the creepy puppet people.

[Valerie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful illustrations featuring children from multiple ethnic groups illustrate the lyrics from George David Weiss and Bob Thiele's song. The bright colors of the pictures draw children into the book.

[Theresa · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a Wonderful World (Hardcover)
by George David Weiss
Reading this book to kindergarten first and second grade. Kindergarten was mesmerized by the book, and the song. The kids thought it was too fast to read the story as a song.

[Alfajirikali · Rating 4 out of 5]

I see trees of green, red roses too...and I think to myself what a wonderful world

[Byron · Rating 5 out of 5]

Why does Daddy read this one in a funny low voice?

[Helen Zhang · Rating 4 out of 5]

Grade Levels = Pre-K

Summary:
A man sees flowers, beautiful skies, colorful rainbow and happy faces everywhere and observes what a wonderful world he lives in. He sees babies grow up and learn about different cultures. He sees a world of beautiful people and culture and knows he’s lucky to live in such a beautiful world.

Review:
This book is also a song that children can play while reading the book. The song teaches kids that life can be beautiful when you look at the people and culture that surrounds you. The graphics in the book was also very colorful and cheerful and can brighten children’s day.

Possible Lesson Plans:
Students can draw what they see in their wonderful world and hang it in the classroom. Teachers can use this book to talk about music and have students analyze the lyrics and the meanings behind them. Students can be asked to close their eyes while listening to the song before they analyze the lyrics. This book can also be used during November, the month of thanks, to help students identity what they are thankful for.

[Paige]

This book is like the song. "What a wonderful world". To be honest, that is the voice that was reading it in my head (the deep raspy voice). But this book goes through and points out the small things of beauty that exsists in the world. Little things such as the color of a flower, or the differences in other are made out to be beautiful and bring joy. The world is a beauiful place, and as said multiple times in the book, what a wonderful world.

[Mariah Aivazis · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a beautiful book. The illustrations are bright and colorful, which go along with the wise words in the text. When I read this read, all I could do was read it with the sounds of the song "What a Wonderful World." It teaches the true appreciation of the world around you and how much we have to be thankful for in our lives.

[Baylee Krueger · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoy this book as it goes along with Louis Armstrong's song "What a Wonderful World". The book is nicely illustrated with bright colors and showing the reader a few of the wonderful things about this world.

[Jon Nakapalau · Rating 5 out of 5]

If only we would all listen to the message of this song...great book for children.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice Illustrations, would be good for learning the song.

[Samantha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this song, love the words, love the illustrations.

[Shauna Ludlow Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this song and the fact that international children are illustrated in the book, but I don't care for the simple drawings. Kids might like them because of the bright colors.

[SKP · Rating 5 out of 5]

If I could give this more than 5 stars, I definitely would. It was one of my favorite books to use the last few years in my career as a children’s librarian before I retired. I did a theme about “Music makes the World Go Round” and used picture books that had songs that went with them with an overall meaning of peace on earth, kindness, and the like. (Another one I liked to use was LET THERE BE PEACE ON EARTH by Jill Jackson & Sy Miller, Illustrated by David Diaz.) I would play the music while showing the pictures in the books. For this one, I actually played the Louis Armstrong version of the song. Because we used a lot of puppets in storytime, the kids always picked up on the puppet show depicted in the illustrations, and I could tell the children that the man singing was a famous musician who is shown in the illustrations too, thereby introducing Louis Armstrong. The kids loved the book, and I loved it too! I purchased my own copy and still have it! I don’t think Ashley Bryan ever illustrated a book I didn’t love! Highly, highly recommended.