This Land Is Your Land is a rich and beautiful
book. It contains all the words to
Woody Guthrie’s song, one of our country’s best-loved folksongs. The verses
are celebrated in paintings spread across two pages – a ribbon of highway, an
endless skyway; diamond deserts and wheat fields waving – and in cameos of
cities and countryside, homes and harbors, churches and community centers, with
all the diversity that Guthrie cherished. The book pictures times in Woody’s life
when he traveled and as he sang with friends; it takes us from California to
the New York island, from the redwood forest to the Gulf Stream waters – and
always we are invited to share his appreciation for the land that is made for
you and me. Guthrie was born in Oklahoma in 1912; he lived in Texas and
California and in New York. He had a special affinity for people going through
hard times, and his songs often reflect their courage. Yet his message is
universal: it is an expression of deep appreciation for the freedom promised by
our expansive nation. Folk artist Kathy Jakobsen’s detailed paintings are at
the heart of this moving book; she includes numerous quotes from Guthrie as
well as picturing the sweeping, affecting verses. “A song don’t have to be as
old as the hills to be good, true, or honest. Songs that tell the great battle
of our people to get better and better conditions everywhere are as good, hot
or cold, new or old, just so’s they’re honest.” There is, at the end, a tribute
from his close friend Pete Seeger as well as more details about Guthrie’s life;
the musical score of “This Land Is Your Land” is also included. Ages 4 up.
