Horn Book (Mon Apr 01 00:00:00 CST 2002)

Illustrations of a girl and her dog enjoying nature's wonders while relaxing and doing light chores on a farm accompany couplets from the well-known hymn. Although the pictures focus the reader's attention more on the girl than on her natural surroundings, the book still offers a quiet reflection on God's presence in the world. Music is included at the book's end.

Kirkus Reviews

All things are indeed "bright and beautiful" in the serene, sharply detailed country scenes Whatley ( Wait! No Paint , p. 669, etc.) has created for this familiar 19th-century hymn. With creamy, photorealistic clarity, the artist portrays an overall-clad child visiting barn and orchard, pausing to admire a golden sky, coming home after her ramble with a basket of apples, an armful of cattails—and a story, or perhaps a poem, with which to regale her fond family before bedtime. Everything from faces and livestock to compositions and rich colors are so natural, so harmonious that viewers will feel elevated even if they don't know the song. The verses are recapitulated, with musical arrangement, at the end. Lovely. (Picture book/poetry. 5-9)

Publishers Weekly (Fri Oct 06 00:00:00 CDT 2023)

"Alexander's beloved 1848 ode to the natural wonders of God's creation receives a fresh treatment via Vojtech's expansive watercolor paintings in this handsome, square-format book," <EMPHASIS TYPE=""ITALIC"">PW wrote. Ages 3-up. <EMPHASIS TYPE=""ITALIC"">(Mar.)

School Library Journal (Mon Oct 01 00:00:00 CDT 2001)

K-Gr 2 Whatley has interpreted this 19th-century hymn, which celebrates both nature and the omnipotence of the Creator, in beautiful, panoramic watercolor paintings. They feature a girl dressed in dungaree overalls, a straw hat, and boots walking on a farm with her dog. The illustrations are consistent in their wonderful, soft colors. However, the artist's talent overwhelms the simple text. Notes and lyrics appear on the last two pages. Barbara Buckley, Rockville Centre Public Library, NY