When most adults think of
the song “What a Wonderful World,” written by George David Weiss and Bob
Thiele, they hear Louis Armstrong’s unique voice intoning it. And what a
pleasure that is. Artist, poet, writer and storyteller Ashley Bryan captures
the spirit of this celebratory song in colorful words and images in a book with the same name. In What a Wonderful World, Bryan envisions the song as a puppet show performed by children, with the
brilliant colors of nature, of the rainbow, of life in the busy world around
us. Yes, it is a heartwarming expression of the best we have to offer: “The
colors of the rainbow, so pretty in the sky, are also on the faces of people
passing by…I see friends shaking hands, saying, ‘How do you do?’ They’re really
saying, ‘I love you.’ ” The words speak of the future, alluding to the experience and
wisdom today’s children will gain as they grow. Bryan grew up with a mother who
loved to sing, and through his storytelling and art he shares that joy with us. Ages 4-8.
