Let the Whole Earth Sing Praise

November 1, 2010
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.

Starred review from November 15, 2010

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)

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March 1, 2011

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

Copyright 2011 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

March 1, 2011
Preschool-K This small picture book is both a religious creation story and also a playful celebration of the environment and its connections. In a note, DePaola says he combines two Old Testament piecesfrom the Book of Daniel and Psalm 148to make a childlike song. For the illustrations, he drew on the designs of the Otomi people from mountain villages in Puebla, Mexico, to create his stylized, folk-art images in transparent acrylics on watercolor paper. Along with the invitations to Praise God in the hand-lettered text, the swirling, symbolic patterns and shapes evoke light and darkness, day and night, mountains, hills, seas, rivers, and also the earths small creatures. Preschoolers will want to join in the chanting words and point to the expansive views of sky, ocean, and earth, as well as the tiny details of a rabbits whiskers, a butterflys wings, and tiny fish, right up to the closing celebration of all people, young and old.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2011, American Library Association.)