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Synopsis

Whole World by Fred Penner

Lets you sing around the world, from high in the mountains to low in the valleys, in every town and city, with all the fish, birds, trees and flowers of the Earth. This book and CD combo, adapted from a popular gospel spiritual also features informative endnotes.

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Reviews

'The mountains and the valleys, the plains and the deserts - the whole world is in our hands - with this gorgeously illustrated, exuberant eco-anthem. The piano music for the familiar tune is at the back of the book as well as a CD. My house is reverberating to 'we've got the w-h--o-o-l-e world...'
Angels and Urchins
'Subtle pronoun changes breathe new life into the traditional spiritual He's Got the Whole World in His Hands by a shift of responsibility from his hands to ours. The rhythm of the song shines through unchanged, but the verses say, We've got the whole world in our hands, He's got the birds of the air in his hands, and She's got the fish of the sea in her hands. Like Kadir Nelson's He's Got the Whole World in His Hands (Dial, 2005), Corr's joyful pictures illuminate the wonder of our world. His bright, folksy paintings focus on the planet's diversity and form a nice contrast with Nelson's scenic illustrations. Comparison of these two books would initiate a great classroom or Sunday school discussion. Supplemental pages provide an explanatory paragraph about each world wonder and music and words for a sing-along. An additional page on Ways to Reduce Global Warming suggests another pronoun change.'
June Wolfe, Bushnell
-Sage Library, Sheffield, MA

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About The Author

Fred Penner is a children's entertainer who gives appearances throughout North America as well as performing on his Canadian children's television show Fred Penner's Place.

Fred's musical career practically began as soon as he could harmonize. As a precocious four year old, he would make up songs while travelling on the bus with his mother. In grade school, Fred taught himself how to play the guitar, and performed in school choirs and pageants. He recognized the therapeutic value of music through experience with his sister, Susie, who had Down's Syndrome.

After graduating from university with a degree in Economics and Psychology, Fred spent time working with mentally and physically challenged children, using his considerable musical talents to comfort and entertain.

Throughout the seventies, Fred explored a variety of musical and theatrical genres, including a stint on the live performance circuit with his comedic folk/rock band, Kornstalk, which also featured Juno-award winning children's entertainer AI Simmons.

In 1977, Fred met choreographer and future wife Odette Heyn, with whom he started a children's dance theatre company. After a performance, he was approached by a member of the audience who was so impressed by Fred's talent and charisma that he offered to finance an album of his music. Fred accepted the generous offer, which resulted in the classic album, The Cat Came Back. It launched his career and established him as a premiere Canadian children's entertainer.

Fred's dynamic live performances are integral to his success. He, along with The Cat's Meow Band, consistently play to packed houses of children and parents across North America. To captivate throngs of energetic fans for 60 minutes, this consummate family entertainer mixes his music with comedic routines, not only to enchant the little ones, but to delight their parents as well.

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