What a Morning!: The Christmas Story in Black Spirituals

by John Langstaff, Ashley Bryan (Illustrator)

Overview

This luminous illustrated songbook presents five spirituals that tell the story of the Nativity.

Young readers will delight in the exquisite cast of human, animal, and heavenly creatures. The collection includes: “My Lord, What a Morning!”, “Mary Had a Baby”, “Go, Tell It on the Mountain”, “Sister Mary Had-a But One Child”, and “Behold That Star!.” Simple arrangements for singing, piano and guitar and a useful note for teachers, parents, and instrumentalists are also included in this book.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780689504228
Publisher:	Margaret K. McElderry Books
Publication date:	09/30/1987
Pages:	32
Product dimensions:	8.25(w) x 10.00(h) x 0.40(d)
Age Range:	4 - 8 Years

About the Author

John Meredith Langstaff (1920–2005) was a music educator and author who created the Christmas Revels and wrote the Caldecott Medal–winning children’s book Frog Went A-Courtin’.

Ashley Bryan (1923–2022) grew up to the sound of his mother singing from morning to night, and he shared the joy of song with children. A beloved illustrator, he was named a Newbery Honoree for his picture book, Freedom Over Me. He also received the Coretta Scott King—Virginia Hamilton Lifetime Achievement Award, the Laura Ingalls Wilder Award, was a May Hill Arbuthnot lecturer, a Coretta Scott King Award winner, and the recipient of countless other awards and recognitions. His books include Freedom Over Me; Sail Away; Beautiful Blackbird; Beat the Story-Drum, Pum Pum; Let It Shine; Ashley Bryan’s Book of Puppets; and What a Wonderful World. He lived in Islesford, one of the Cranberry Isles off the coast of Maine.

Editorial Reviews

In this picture book, the Christmas story is told in spirituals: ``Mary Had a Baby,'' ``My Lord, What a Morning!'' and ``Go Tell It on the Mountain'' among them, until the baby is born, and ``Behold That Star!'' closes the tale. Bryan's illustrations tie into the African-American theme, showing a black Holy family and multiracial wise men and shepherds. Bold brush strokes line each landscape and every garment; the star of Bethlehem, through the religious prism, reveals colors of rainbow hues. This collection of songs exhibits an intimacy and compassion that give these spirituals a stunning universality. All ages. (September)

Publishers Weekly - Publisher's Weekly