All Night, All Day: A Child's First Book of African-American Spirituals

K-Gr 6-- Bryan has certainly let his little light shine in this selection of 20 well-known spirituals, none of which appear in his Walk Together Children (Aladdin, 1981) or I'm Going to Sing (Atheneum, 1982; o.p.). Whereas the earlier books provided only the melody, David Manning Thomas's arrangements in this collection include full piano scores and guitar chords; the piano accompaniments are simple enough to be performed by amateur pianists, but are sufficiently challenging to remain interesting, with pleasing and appropriate harmonies. The stylized watercolor paintings, dominated by pinks, blues, and yellows, glow with the faith and hope of the songs they illustrate. From Peter ringing the bells, to Noah opening the window for the dove, to the ships sailing over on the river of Jordan, these illustrations are dynamic and full of movement, and the people and angels radiate an unearthly light. The songs leap off the page, demanding to be played and sung. --Susan Giffard, Englewood Public Library, NJ

"School Library Journal" The songs leap off the page, demanding to be played and sung.