When you are born, you make up a song
It doesn’t rhyme, and it isn’t long
A song of everything you hold dear
It’s your own tune, it’s loud and clear
A Life Song is about a musical journey from the time a child’s life song first begins, through all its modulations, adding new verses and extra voices through the years, until it becomes their own unique composition – and one that is ultimately a part of the beautiful, grand and glistening score of the world.
Jane Godwin is an Australian children’s book publisher, and also the highly acclaimed, award-winning author of over twenty books for children, across all styles and ages. She and award-winning illustrator Anna Walker have teamed up to create classics such as Don’t Forget, All Through the Year, Tilly and Starting School. Now, the duo is back with A Life Song, their new exquisite, universal and captivating picture book that carries us through a child’s life journey on the magical metaphor of song.
As we approach the holiday season, A Life Song is going on the top of my gift-giving list this year. What a spectacularly moving and evocative picture book! A Life Song is a celebration of life, a celebration of music and a celebration of storytelling. I know children and adults alike will revel in the beauty of this story.
Filled with the metaphor of song throughout, this picture book teaches young readers about the journey of life ahead. Godwin and Walker have created something incredibly special – I was overcome by nostalgia from the book’s opening pages, right through to the very end. I was quickly taken back to childhood, thinking about how my own life song has been formed, and how I continue to add to it now.
In this, we see a young child move from infancy through to adolescence, witnessing her song – and others around her – flourish and grow. Young readers will learn to expect the unexpected and embrace life’s joy and appreciate the beauty in the mundane. In a world of change, love stays and it’s all around you – that’s the takeaway message of this glorious book.
Walker’s vivid, watercolour-style illustrations are poignant and impactful alongside Godwin’s compelling prose. Together, this duo prompts excitement for the adventure of life ahead for young readers. And it also prompts reflection in adults; I could resonate with the illustrated adults throughout this, whose expressions tell their own, seasoned songs.
A Life Song will have music fans delighting in the musical references, but this is a story for everyone; all kinds of readers will relish in the metaphorical meaning of song. This belongs on every kid’s bookshelf. I recommend it for children aged 5+.
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