My Symphony

by William Henry Channing

Mary's first original children's book since The Snow Queen has sold 100,000 copies since its debut. She puts her lavish touch to a reverent and radiant poem by nineteenth-century clergyman William... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0836236742
• ISBN13: 9780836236743
• Release Date: November 1997
• Publisher: Andrews McMeel Publishing
• Length: 1 Pages
• Weight: 2.60 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.4" x 7.4" x 9.3"
• Age Range: 4 to 8 years
• Grade Range: Preschool to Grade 3

Customer Reviews

This is to be my symphony...

I love this poem, and one of my very favorites, Mary Engelbreit, has beautifully and perfectly illustrated it. It doesn't get any better than this!

4 to 8?? 4 to 80 is more like it:)

I was at the book store browsing for books for my two year old daughter and came across 'My Symphony'. I was drawn to the lovely art on the cover so opened it up and began to read. The poem by W.H. Channing is superb. Simple, elegant, meaningful, touching, humorous, and leaves a lasting impression. (To live content with small means; to seek elegance rather than luxury, and refinement rather than fashion; to be worthy, not respectable; and wealthy not rich, etc). The art work by Mary Engelbreit is a wonderful compliment, page by page, for the poem. As a childrens book I wasn't so certain, but I bought it for myself anyway. I treasure books that inspire me to be my best and this is a graceful and simple version of that. But I still wasn't sure that my daughter, a two year old, would be ready for a book like this. I tried it on her anyway, even though she is a fair amount younger than the four years old suggested. She loves it. She loves the illustrations, she works excitedly to understand the concepts and for the most part gets them. Only the closing lines that refer to spirituality and 'my symphony' lost her and she enjoyed the illustrations anyway. I wasn't an Engelbreit fan at all. My only encounter with her prior to this book was a birthday card I received called 'the queen of everything'. Cute card for sure, but I wasn't aware that the artist illustrated books. Now I adore her work. I ordered her christmas book 'Believe' and I am excited for it to arrive. Engelbreits art seems perfectly suited for the holiday season - traditional and pure, yet fun and fanciful at the same time. I guess you can tell I really liked this book.

The Book I buy most frequently

Because I am a manager of a symphony orchestra, the title and beautiful illustrations were the first attractions for me. Then the poem captured my heart and soul. It has become a daily affirmation for me and during the last three years, it has been my preferred gift for family, children, graduates, new mothers, musical friends and colleagues. I quoted the poem at my brother's funeral, and last week, I read the poem at a memorial in New Orleans honoring a public servant. The book was a gift to his widow.

This book is a toast to life!

My Symphony is a toast to life! While listed as a children's book, I will be sending it to adult friends. The poem is a gentle reminder of what is important, and the reader must contrast that with what s/he has spent time doing recently. The illustrations enhance the text with a delightful lightheartedness. Thanks, Mary.

We love this book!

My son has had me read this to him at least twice a day since it arrived. We love the poem and the illustrations. My son who is six enjoys trying to tie the verse on the page with what ME has drawn to go with it in an attempt to understand and describe what is being said. It works on us adults too!