Book Descriptions
for This Land is Your Land by Woody Guthrie and Kathy Jakobsen
From Cooperative Children's Book Center (CCBC)
The most important fact about this full-color picture book edition of Guthrie's famous song is that it contains complete lyrics, including the verse about No Trespassing and the one about the hungry people. The scope of Guthrie's message is intact. So is the beauty of his idea. Jakobsen's glorious paintings show varied topography and people within this land in detailed scenes and individuals from Guthrie's life. According to a note, the paintings were done in oil on canvas, and the painted borders were inspired by notch carvings found in traditional "tramp art"--boxes, picture frames and mirror frames crafted by tramps, hoboes, miners and lumberjacks in the early to mid-1900s. The final pages include quotes from Guthrie, such as This whole world is your world and my world. Take it easy, but take it. Images from Guthrie's experiences are pictured, including two composite paintings of all his friends together--singing. Seemingly endless discoveries can be made when scrutinizing each illustration, depending on where readers have lived or traveled and what they know about Woody Guthrie's life and times. Pete Seeger's tribute and a biographical sketch are placed on the opposite side of a three page foldout of the nation and its people. The music for the song completes the book. (Age 5 and older)
CCBC Choices 1998. © Cooperative Children's Book Center, Univ. of Wisconsin - Madison, 1998. Used with permission.
From the Publisher
Honor America -- and Woody Guthrie's 90th birthday -- with this beautiful gift package. Featuring the complete lyrics and musical notation to the beloved anthem This Land Is Your Land, as well as a photo-essay about Woody, a note from his daughter Nora Guthrie, and a tribute by beloved folksinger Pete Seeger, this stunning book paints an unforgettable picture of our diverse land. Now an award-winning CD containing nine popular folk songs performed by Woody and Arlo Guthrie is bound into the book, making this a treasure for the whole family or classroom to share.
Publisher description retrieved from Google Books.