School Library Journal Review
Gr 1-4-The story behind these words and music is truly an American tale of a large loving family blessed to share their creativity with those around them. Two Kentucky sisters, Patty and Mildred Hill-teacher and composer-created the song as a second verse to their "Good Morning to You" melody, which was shared with Ms. Patty's kindergarten class on a daily basis. A lovely succession of watercolor paintings depicts the latter half of the 19th century in Louisville and illuminates the thoughtful expressions and joyful faces of the Hill family. With a final historical note, readers find the record of the Hills' service to education and eventual recognition in the academic world. Forget what you remember about Irving Berlin's connection with the tune-the copyright for this title was correctly assigned 45 years after it was composed, an eye-opener for history and trivia lovers in all libraries.-Mary Elam, Forman Elementary School, Plano, TX (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Booklist Review
With a sweet, true story and big glowing watercolor illustrations, this picture book introduces how the famous birthday song came to be written. It starts in the loving Hill family in nineteenth-century Louisville, Kentucky, where Patty and Mildred learn from their parents to make up little melodies and write simple poems. Patty grows up to become one of the first kindergarten teachers in America, and in 1889, she composes lyrics for a song for the poor children in her class, Good morning to you. . . . Good morning, dear children, and Mildred writes the melody, inspired by folk tunes. Much later, the words are changed to the birthday song and are even performed on Broadway, but it takes until 1935 for the sisters to be awarded copyright. The glowing picture-book idyll, which adopts the sisters' formula of One part words, one part melody, one part happy child, will appeal to preschoolers as they chant along. With the extensive notes at the back, though, it is older readers who will appreciate the history of the early feminist siblings and their extraordinary legacy.--Rochman, Hazel Copyright 2008 Booklist
