Let the Whole Earth Sing Praise

by Tomie dePaola, Tomie dePaola (Illustrator)

Overview

This joyous book sings thanks and praise for everything in land, sea, and sky-from the sun and moon to plants and animals to all people, young and old. Beloved author-illustrator Tomie dePaola captures the beauty of God's creation in his folk art-style illustrations. With text inspired by Old Testament Scripture and artwork fashioned after the beautiful embroideries and designs of the Otomi people from the mountain villages around San Pablito, in Puebla, Mexico, this is a wonderful celebration for all to share.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780399254789
Publisher:	Penguin Young Readers Group
Publication date:	01/20/2011
Pages:	32
Sales rank:	407,891
Product dimensions:	7.00(w) x 8.36(h) x 0.35(d)
Age Range:	3 - 5 Years

About the Author

Tomie dePaola was born in Meriden, Connecticut, in 1934 to a family of Irish and Italian background. By the time he could hold a pencil, he knew what his life's work would be. His determination to create books for children led to a BFA from Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, New York, and an MFA from the California College of Arts & Crafts in Oakland, California.

It drove him through the years of teaching, designing greeting cards and stage sets, and painting church murals until 1965, when he illustrated his first children's book, Sound, by Lisa Miller for Coward-McCann. Eventually, freed of other obligations, he plunged full time into both writing and illustrating children's books.

He names Fra Angelico and Giotto, Georges Rouault, and Ben Shahn as major influences on his work, but he soon found his own unique style. His particular way with color, line, detail, and design have earned him many of the most prestigious awards in his field, among them a Caldecott Honor Award for Strega Nona, the Smithsonian Medal from the Smithsonian Institution, the Kerlan Award from the University of Minnesota for his "singular attainment in children's literature," the Catholic Library Association's Regina Medal for his "continued distinguished contribution," and the University of Southern Mississippi Medallion. He was also the 1990 United States nominee for the Hans Christian Andersen Medal for illustration.

Tomie dePaola has published almost 200 children's books in fifteen different countries. He remains one of the most popular creators of books for children, receiving more than 100,000 fan letters each year.

Tomie lives in an interesting house in New Hampshire with his four dogs. His studio is in a large renovated 200-year-old barn.

- He has been published for over 30 years.
- Over 5 million copies of his books have sold worldwide.
- His books have been published in over 15 different countries.
- He receives nearly 100,000 fan letters each year.

Tomie dePaola has received virtually every significant recognition forhis books in the children's book world, including:

- Caldecott Honor Award from American Library Association
- Newbery Honor Award from American Library Association
- Smithson Medal from Smithsonian Institution
- USA nominee in illustration for Hans Christian Andersen Medal
- Regina Medal from Catholic Library Association

Hometown:

Connecticut and New Hampshire

Date of Birth:

September 15, 1935

Place of Birth:

Meriden, CT

Website:

http://www.tomie.com/main.html

Editorial Reviews

In this small-format book, dePaola masterfully pairs simple words and resonant images. Rendered in acrylics and inspired by the folk art of the Otomi people from Puebla, Mexico, the pictures offer primitive depictions of natural phenomena. Celestial objects, fire and heat, mountains and rivers, flora and fauna, and finally humans, all featured in turn, bring to mind the Creation story. DePaola's art is even more elemental than in his The Song of Francis (2009), to which this book is a natural companion; his palette consists of tropical pinks, greens, blues, and purples, which pop against the muted, tea-stained backdrops. Based on two pieces of Old Testament scripture--the Canticle of the Three Young Men from the Book of Daniel and Psalm 148--dePaola's narrative bids specific creatures and forces of nature to give praise, before issuing a cumulative call-out: "Let everything in heaven and on earth bless and praise God." The very largeness of the loose, hand-lettered text, which appears in all caps, amplifies the message, while the joy that emanates from the cheerful spreads confirms its value. Ages 3–5. (Jan.)

Publishers Weekly

K-Gr 2—dePaola introduces this title as a reflection on the Old Testament's Psalm 148 and Canticle 13, Song of the Three Young Men, each of which expresses praise and exhorts blessings for the goodness of God's creation. This short, poetic rendition is illustrated with milky watercolor paintings that, according to the artist, were inspired by the art of the Otomi people of Puebla, Mexico. Each spread addresses aspects of the natural world, e.g., "Sun and Moon,/Stars and comets in the heavens./Praise God," accompanied by insipid folk-art-style nature painting. dePaola is a gifted writer and artist with many religious-themed books in his oeuvre. This one uses none of his expressive characters, vivid colors, or inspired storytelling. Children are likely to pass up this title in favor of those that are more comprehensive in their approach to prayer, more visually engaging, or have illustrations with a concrete connection to the text.—Lisa Egly Lehmuller, St. Patrick's Catholic School, Charlotte, NC

School Library Journal

DePaola takes two pieces of the Old Testament (the Benedicite and Psalm 148) and transmutes them into a simple song for all Creation. It begins, "Sun and moon, / stars and comets in the Heavens. Praise God." The backgrounds are a deep cream (the paper is tea-stained), and the stylized stars and comets float on the page in vibrant but almost translucent acrylic washes. Each double-page spread calls on the world to bless and praise God: light and darkness, frost and snow, "all that sprout," all birds, fish, animals and "All people, / young and old." The text is all hand-lettered, and "God" is always rubricated (displayed in red). The images of birds, fish, animals, flowering plants and so on are in the most elemental of shapes(according to the author's note, he was inspired by the folk art of the Otomi around Puebla, Mexico). The people are representative of all, with green, blue and purple faces and reverent expressions. Every page is infused with joy and color, and sweet touches like the ladybug that sits on the letter G on the cover delight.(Picture book. 4-8)

Kirkus Reviews