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Encore! John Denver's hit "Sunshine On My Shoulders" debuts again as a children's picture book John Denver's hit song Sunshine On My Shoulders is making another debut--this time as a picture book for children with an audio CD of John's magical song. Complementing the simple but profound lyrics--"Sunshine on my shoulders makes me happy"--are delightful illustrations, which makes a compelling new presentation of a great song. The illustrator, Christopher Canyon, portrays a little girl and her father with a guitar playing in wildflower-filled meadows, enjoying each other's company while a cat and a variety of cute wildlife creatures look on. "If I had a day that I could give you / I'd give to you a day just like today." Joy and peace are palpable in the light-hearted watercolor art. Sunshine On My Shoulders is the first in a series of children's books based on the songs of John Denver, intended to bring Denver's heartfelt, envionmental themes to children. "If I had a wish that I could wish for you / I'd make a wish for sunshine all the while." The California-based publisher specializes in children's nature-awareness books. Other great Denver songs, including "Country Roads Take Me Home," "Windsong," and "Anciet Rhymes" are scheduled to follow. Canyon, an award-winning illustrator of children's books and a long-time fan of Denver's music, created a story in which a daughter shares a very secial day with her fater (who resembles John Denver). "This beautifully moving song of love, givig, sharing and appreciation is truly a song for anyone, of any age, in any thoughtful reationship," Canyon, of Columbus, Ohio, says. "I envision Sunshine On My Shoulders not only for children, but as a family picture book to be shared together. Adults who first fell in love with this song in their youth now have children and grandchildren of their own. Sunshine will appeal to story group times at schools and libraries, as well as parents and grandparents lullabying their children to sleep at bedtime." The book was licensed by Dawn Publications from Cherry Lane Music Company of New York. Jim Bell, consultant to Cherry Lane Licensing, envisions Sunshine On My Shoulders as "the first of many wonderful picture books using lyrics of great songs. The direct yet elegant language of Denver's lyrics are particularly appropriate for picture books meant to be shared by children and their parents." The project is the brainchild of Sandy Ferguson Fuller, children's liteary agent of Alp Arts Co., in Golden, CO. Prior to John Denver's tragic death in 1997, she conceived the idea of bringing John's spirit to children through picture books, and now has pursued it to fruition. As she says, "'It's about time' to share John's beautiful words and personal vision via picture books." Hal Thau, John Denver's long-time personal manager has enthusiastically supported the project. He states: "This Sunshine picture book offers an opportunity to reach a new, young audience - and lay the foundation for them to rediscover this song in later years with a heightened appreciation and awareness of its beauty." The 32-page full-color book is available in paperback and hardcover editions; the latter includes the musical score plus a CD with Denver performing the song, along with another short song that Denver wrote, "The Music Is You." John Denver was much moe than an entertainer. He was also a director an supporter of over 22 environmental organizations including the National Wildlife Federation, Save The Children, the Cousteau Society, Friends of the Earth, and the Human/Dolphin Foundation. He co-founded the Hunger Project and created PlantIt 2000, now renamed Plant-It 2020, an organization that has already planted one million trees. Yet his special talent was communicating feelings through lyrics and music. Glenn Hovemann, editor and co-publisher of Dawn Publications, notes that Denver knew how to paint vivid pictures with words. "It is our hope at Dawn Publications to bring John's inspiration to children of all ages." Sunshine
On My Shoulders
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