From: Ginny Moore Kruse <gmkruse>
Date: Tue, 30 Apr 2002 15:39:34 -0500

Ruth Gordon wrote: " I am especially appreciative of this biography (as well as Knopf's?? illustrated book of what certainly should be our national anthem, "This Land is Your Land" with ALL its verses) ".

I think Ruth was referring (above) to the 32-page volume "This Land Is Your Land" with lyrics by Woody Guthrie, artwork by Kathy Jakobsen, and a tribute by Pete Seeger (Little, Brown, 1998). Even if I've got it wrong about Ruth's reference, her message reminds me to bring this exceptional volume of nonfiction to your attention as an introduction to Woody Guthrie, as well as to his song..

Here is an excerpt from "CCBC Choices 1998" in which "This Land Is Your Land" is recommended: The most important fact about this full-color picture book edition of Guthrie's famous song is that it contains complete lyrics, including the verse about
"No Trespassing" and the one about the hungry people. The scope of Guthrie's message is intact. So is the beauty of his idea. Jakobsen's glorious paintings show varied topography and people ... in detailed scenes, and she pictures of individuals from Guthrie's life, too. According to a note, her paintings were done in oil on canvas. The painted borders were inspired by notch carvings found in traditional "tramp art"
- boxes, picture frames and mirror frames crafted by tramps, hoboes, miners and lumberjacks in the early to mid00s ... Seemingly endless discoveries can be made while scrutinizing each illustration, depending upon where readers have lived or traveled and what they know about Woody Guthrie's life and times... ?1999 Cooperative Children's Book Center

Woody Guthrie's daughter Nora Guthrie participated in the Jane Addams Children's Book Awards Event in NYC in October 1999 when Kathy Jakobsen was honored for her artwork. Nora led everyone assembled in singing a rousing rendition of "This Land Is Your Land." A memorable moment connected that beautiful book and to the song it pictures.

Elizabeth Partridge's biography of Woody Guthrie "This Land Was Made for You and Me" extends and expands the cultural and national history developed in the closing portion of "Jakobsen's book." Each is a fine and honest volume. Each is also worthy of consideration as a personal gift for a child or family.

Woody Guthrie has been quoted as frequently writing and saying, "This whole world is your world and my world. Take it easy, but take it." Partridge so poignantly observes in her biography of Guthrie that while his health deteriorated he still attempted to inscribe that particular admonition, even when his deteriorating health made it impossible for him to write legibly.

Just as I hope U.S. children today and tomorrow will have the opportunity to see each of these two books, I also hope they'll have a chance to learn all the verses to Woody Guthrie's signature song. It's his gift to everyone in many generations in the future.

- Ginny


Ginny Moore Kruse gmkruse at education.wisc.edu Director, Cooperative Children's Book Center www.education.wisc.edu/ccbc/ A Library of the School of Education, University of Wisconsin - Madison
Received on Tue 30 Apr 2002 03:39:34 PM CDT