A Picture Book a Day for a Year: Day 78

Picture Book: What a Wonderful World

Authors: George David Weiss & Bob Thiele

Illustrator: Ashley Bryan

Summary: Louis Armstrong’s rendition of this song is familiar to many adults. This picture book allows the inspiring lyrics about the beauty & wonder of our world to be brought to children. The bright, colorful illustrations, including Mr. Armstrong himself performing a puppet show, will be enjoyed by children and adults.  

Hanna’s Comments: This wonderful book will easily encourage a conversation with children about God’s creative spirit and hope for our world, the world that God has so generously given us. Have fun teaching this song to a new generation! 

There is also a board book version of these lyrics, illustrated by Tom Hopgood. Such a small book would not be appropriate for large group readings.

There are a couple of other books with this same title, but their texts are different. I highly recommend the one written by Suzanne Chiew and illustrated by Tina McNaughton. 

The plot involves 2 bears, a mama and child, exploring the natural world together. Young children will love it so I have included it in my Trinity Treasures preschool Sunday school curriculum in lessons about the natural world.

Publisher & Date of Publication: Antheneum Books, 1995

Age & Grade Appropriateness: 4 and up, Pre and up

# of Pages: 32

Available in Spanish? Not at Present

Formats other than Book: Tablet, many videos of the song are on Youtube

PBT Category: Song Book, 1995

PBT Topics this Book Connects with: abundance/bounty, attentiveness/observation/seeing, awe, beauty, blessings, creation, Earth/world, the environment/nature, flowers/leaves/trees, God’s care/providence, goodness, gratitude/thankfulness/thanksgiving, humanity, joy, kingdom of God/rein of God, love, manna, prayer, rainbows, response to God, reverence, satisfaction, variety, vision, worship

Scripture Connections: Psalms of gratitude

Idea(s) for Application: as part of a thanksgiving celebration for children