Book Review: Music From Our Lord's Holy Heaven

Music From Our Lord's Holy Heaven. Gathered and Sung by Gloria Jean Pinkney. Art by Jerry Pinkney, Brian Pinkney, and Myles C. Pinkney. Prelude by Troy Pinkney-Ragsdale. 2005. HarperCollins. 48 pages.

Music offers a magical space for children as well as adults. Within a song one can find warmth, motivation, and a chance to express oneself.

From the prelude, "Spirituals are so melodic that even a very young child can quickly hum a tune and often remember the words...Sharing inspirational songs with children is a unique way to teach the wonders of God, for singing lets them actively participate in the learning process."

I loved this one. I just LOVED it. There are three sections in the book, "Adoration," "Spiritual Wayfarers," and "The Good Shepherd." Each section has seven to eight songs. Some of the songs included: "Old-Time Religion," "This Is My Father's World," "Glory, Glory, Hallelujah," "Go Down, Moses," "We Are Climbing Jacob's Ladder," "Joshua Fit the Battle of Jericho," "Go Tell It On the Mountain," "Tell Me The Stories of Jesus," "He's Got The Whole World In His Hands," and "This Little Light of Mine."

Readers get the chance to listen to the music--a CD is included with the book--read the lyrics, and look at the illustrations. (The illustrations are diverse in style. Included are some photographs.) One feature which I especially enjoyed was how Gloria Pinkney paired each song with a psalm--a bible verse. For example, "Old Time Religion" is paired with Psalm 9:1-2. ("I will praise Thee, O LORD, with my whole heart; I will show forth all Thy marvelous works. I will be glad and rejoice in Thee: I will sing praise to Thy name, O Thou Most High.") And "This Is My Father's World" is paired with Psalm 148:5. ("Let them praise the name of the LORD: for He commanded, and they were created.")

I would definitely recommend this one. It would pair well with He's Got The Whole World In His Hands, All Night, All Day: A Child's First Book of African-American Spirituals, All Things Bright and Beautiful, Let it Shine, All God's Critters, and Sunday is For God.

© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible