Peace Train

by Cat Stevens, Peter H. Reynolds (Illustrator)

Overview

Notes From Your Bookseller

The trifecta — iconic lyrics from Yusuf Cat Stevens, inspiringly lavish art from Peter H. Reynolds and a message of peace and hope. With a theme that’s relevant and necessary for our time, Peace Train is the perfect addition to any bookshelf and a noteworthy gift for any age. “Well, I’ve been smiling lately, thinking about the good things to come…”

The instant #1 New York Times and Indie bestseller!

Hop aboard the Peace Train in this picture book adaptation of Cat Stevens’s legendary anthem of unity and harmony in time for the song’s 50th anniversary! With illustrations by New York Times bestselling illustrator Peter H. Reynolds.

“Now I've been happy lately

Thinking about the good things to come

And I believe it could be

Something good has begun

Oh, I've been smiling lately

Dreaming about the world as one

And I believe it could be

Someday it's going to come”

Readers are invited to hop on the PEACE TRAIN and join its growing group of passengers who are all ready to unite the world in peace and harmony.

Featuring the timeless lyrics of Cat Stevens’s legendary song and illustrations by New York Times bestselling artist Peter H. Reynolds, this hopeful picture book inspires tolerance and love for people of all cultures and identities.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780063053991
Publisher:	HarperCollins
Publication date:	05/11/2021
Pages:	40
Sales rank:	117,732
Product dimensions:	9.80(w) x 9.90(h) x 0.60(d)
Age Range:	4 - 8 Years

About the Author

Cat Stevens is one of the most influential Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Songwriters Hall of Fame, and Grammy-nominated singer-songwriters of all time. His career spans over six decades, and he is known worldwide for his hits “Peace Train,” “If You Want to Sing Out, Sing Out,” “Wild World,” “Father and Son,” “The First Cut Is the Deepest,” and many more. In 2003, he was honored with the World Social Award for “humanitarian relief work helping children and victims of war.” The World Summit of Nobel Peace Laureates recognized him with the Man of Peace award for his charity work and philanthropy in 2004. In 2020, he launched the Peace Train initiative, which delivers relief, medical aid, and education globally. www.catstevens.com

Peter H. Reynolds is the award-winning author and illustrator of The North Star, The Dot, and Ish. He also illustrated the bestselling Someday by Alison McGhee, Tess's Tree by Jess M. Brallier, and the bestselling Judy Moody series by Megan McDonald. Peter is the founder and CEO of FableVision, an educational company that produces animated films, books, and software. He lives in Dedham, Massachusetts.

Editorial Reviews

Unlike many of the songs that have become picture book texts, this one builds up a real head of steam for world peace, and captures the childlike optimism of the original song for a new generation. — School Library Journal (starred review)

Climb aboard, with this visual interpretation of the classic 1971 song.  — Kirkus Reviews

[A] joy-filled journey. — Horn Book Magazine

From the Publisher

[A] joy-filled journey.

Horn Book Magazine

★ 09/01/2021

Gr 1–3—A barefoot troubadour, with black hair and tan skin, croons the opening words of the famous song: "Now I've been happy lately, thinking about the good things to come. And I believe it could be something good has begun." A page later, a train rounds the bend, which the musician and a small orange cat board as soon as it comes to a stop at the station. That's when readers learn that the Peace Train is inviting everyone in the world, from the furthest reaches of the globe, to ride along in a spirit of cooperation and empathy. When the train comes upon a break in the tracks, there is still a path to healing and good will. Reynolds gleefully creates billowing clouds of flower power images and other psychedelic touches, and gives the story a joyful arc that is impossible to ignore. VERDICT Unlike many of the songs that have become picture book texts, this one builds up a real head of steam for world peace, and captures the childlike optimism of the original song for a new generation.—Kimberly Olson Fakih, School Library Journal

School Library Journal

2021-03-17
Climb aboard, with this visual interpretation of the classic 1971 song.

The lyrics of Stevens’ song are the catalyst for this colorful picture book, which depicts a golden-hued train with a plume of psychedelic smoke initially traveling across an unknown and barren landscape. As the train chugs along, a tan-skinned, purple-haired guitar player makes their way to the train and travels with it, sometimes riding, sometimes walking alongside it, as it picks up a racially and ethnically diverse group of passengers. Reynolds’ cartoon illustrations are characteristically bold, the flower-power symbols in the smoke making a cheery if sometimes hard-to-distinguish clutter. As with many songs-cum–picture books, some of the lyrics defy visual interpretation. “Everyone jump up on the Peace Train” is nicely imagined with a cat leaping into the arms of the guitar-playing protagonist, but Reynolds’ accompaniment to the stanza that begins “Now, come and join the living” simply frames it in a close-up of symbolic smoke. In visual answer to “Why must we go on hating? / Why can’t we live in bliss?” the guitar player lays musical notes over a scary hole in the tracks that represents “the world as it is.” The train safely passes, but it all seems awfully easy. Musically inclined caregivers who feel confident belting out the lyrics may find this a useful title for peace-themed storytimes, but the overall depictions of peace and unity feel superficial at best.

Not exactly first-class travel. (Picture book. 4-8)

Kirkus Reviews