A Picture Book a Day for a Year: Day 343

Picture Book: Let the Whole Earth Sing Praise

Author & Illustrator: Tomie de Paola

Summary: Here is the text of this beautiful book:

Sun and Moon, Stars and Comets in the Heavens.

Praise God.

Light and Darkness, Day and Night, 
Showers and Frost, Ice and snow.

Bless God.

Fire, Heat, Lightning and Clouds, 
Mountains, Hills, Seas, Rivers, and Fountains,

Praise God.

Fruitful Trees, Cedars, and all that Sprout upon the Earth,

Whales, Fish, and all Creatures that Move in the Waters,

Bless God.

Birds, Everything that Flies in the Air,

Dogs, Cats, All Animals and Creeping Things on Earth,

Praise God.

All People, Young and Old, Let Everything in Heaven and on Earth

Bless and Praise God.

Hanna’s Comments: In the Authors Note, Tomie de Paola explains that this book was inspired by two pieces of Old Testament scripture: The Canticle of the Three Young Men from the Book of Daniel and Psalm 148. He has purposefully made it like a children’s song. The illustrations are inspired by folk art designs of the Otomi people of Puebla, Mexico.  

Original Publisher & Date of Publication: G. P. Putnam’s Sons, 2011

Age & Grade Appropriateness: 3 and up, Pre and up

# of Pages: 32

Available in Spanish? Not at present 

Formats other than Book: Tablet

PBT Category: God Book, Post 2K

PBT Topics this Book connects with: abundance/bounty, adoration, animals, awe, Bible/scripture, blessings, creation, diversity, the environment/nature, heaven/sky, humanity, moon/space/stars/sun, pleasing God/the Shema, prayer, response to God, unity, variety, weather, worship

Scripture Connections: Praise the Lord…Praise him, sun and moon… (Psalm 148); let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name (Hebrews 13:15)

Idea(s) for Application: Read this book to children when teaching them about worship and praise to God.