May There Always Be Sunshine

by Jim Gill, Susie Signorino-Richards (Illustrations)

Using thoughts children have shared during concerts, the book expands on a traditional Russian folk song.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Storytime, Music

32 pages, Hardcover

First published October 1, 2001

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.

Reviews

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qxFVQ... is Jim singing and showing his book, and developing the idea of it as a mentor text. He invites viewers to contribute pages to a new video book, sample seen here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gm_ta...

Note, the book is kinda old, but the videos are newer. Jim apparently missed visiting schools during the Pandemic closures, and so developed this ongoing project.

[Katy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very sweet picture book

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Happy picture book month! Rounding out the Thanksgiving holiday weekend is this noteworthy sentiment.
“May There Always Be Sunshine” By Jim Gill and illustrated by Susie Signorino-Richards c) 2001
I was seeking rhymes and there are none. But the song and words work because they follow a pattern.
Jim started out with the first four lines of a Russian folk song: May there always be sunshine; May there always be blue skies; May there always be Mama; May there always be me. Then he invited audience members to add their own ideas when he performed. And, in the case of this book, he gathered some of his favorites. In the foreword Jim says, “Each person’s thoughts and ideas are worthy of our attention—and only get better with exercise. The joy of life is in THINKING, CREATING and DOING.”
The book I have checked out is an autographed one and he signed it with, “May there always be libraries.” Indeed! So cool!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=knzyY...

[Emma · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this song and want to use it acapella in storytime this month, so this book worked well as an introduction to it. It also worked surprisingly well as an introduction of what it means to be thankful, since, as I explained to the toddlers and preschoolers today, if you are thankful for something, you are happy it exists and you want it to always be around.

[rebecca j · Rating 4 out of 5]

author autographed, won in a workshop

[Goshen PL Childrens · Rating 5 out of 5]

GPL Storytime Goes Online on May 11, 2020

[Diana · Rating 4 out of 5]

based on the russian folk song. i adore this song

[Maeve · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jim Gill's adaptation of the Russian folk song.

Storytime:
Music and Movement
Gratitude

[Abby Turner · Rating 4 out of 5]

very simple and sweet

[Claire · Rating 4 out of 5]

was familiar with Jim Gills songs from observing storytimes at our library, where he is a favorite. I hadn’t realized he had a book until I attended a workshop he conducted last week. This is based on a traditional Russian folk song, and is a stunningly simple, endearingly positive book. I like the way it could be used to interact with young children, by simply asking them what they hope there will “always be”.

[Melanie Hetrick · Rating 5 out of 5]

The first four lines of this book are based on a traditional Russian folksong. The sentences after that are a few chosen by Jim Gill, author, from his many concerts with children. At the end he lists quite a few other things children want around.

Quite a powerful book for starting a conversation with your child. Music score is included for those who like to sing books as well as read them.

[Stephanie Wycihowski · Rating 5 out of 5]

perfect choice to add into a cloud themed storytime!
Also, great one to start a conversation about what are your favorite things that you hope will always be around!
I just Love Jim Gill- Great Music!

[Megan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Gotta love Jim Gill.

[Monica Albright · Rating 5 out of 5]

Super Great!!!!

Make your own class book using this as an example!

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

Use with Jim Gill song that matches.

[Kelli · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice accompaniment to Jim Gill's song.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this song and being able to sing and read it is great. My toddler loves this book too and helps me sing the song when we read this book.

[Naomi · Rating 4 out of 5]

A song and a story! Vivid illustrations and a great list at the end!

[Fran · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great way to end a story time.