School Library Journal Review
Gr 3-5-This rich and thoughtful book uses beautifully detailed artwork to bring new life to a familiar song. On the first page, the verse is printed on an illustration of the Earth with the repeated word "Turn!" encircling it. The focus of each of the following spreads is a large circle filled with small pictures. The verses are set along the edges, with contrasting ideas on either side ("a time to be born" on the left, "a time to die" on the right). Done in watercolor and ink, each of the round illustrations creates a cohesive whole, while its many sections tell small stories and reveal truths. The gutter divides each wheel in two, delineating between the opposing ideas of the verses. The tiny, detailed drawings fan out in all directions, forcing readers to turn the book around to view them. Some spreads are more dramatic than others: "a time of war" is illustrated with stark reds and grays, jagged lines, and images of sad children behind barbed wire and warriors in action. The illustration for "a time of peace" has rounded lines and brighter colors, and shows youngsters of all races holding hands and people enjoying quiet moments. Many details will beg for discussion, like the image of a hooded figure throwing stones at two retreating individuals. Accompanied by a CD with versions of the song by Seeger and the Byrds, this is a book for all collections.-Jane Marino, Bronxville Public Library, NY (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Publisher's Weekly Review
An illustration of the earth (before the title page) serves as backdrop to the complete text of the King James version of the titular passage, with Seeger's refrain ("Turn! Turn! Turn") encircling the globe. On the first page, the opening lines ("To everything turn, turn, turn there is a season turn, turn, turn/ and a time for every purpose under heaven") form a circular frame around an open door, through which readers view a grassy plain. Each spread that follows features a giant circle divided in half along the center crease, and arranged in a way that encourages readers to literally turn the book; pictures on the left illustrate the first half of the phrase ("a time to plant"), on the right, the second ("a time to reap"). Each semicircle contains numerous smaller illustrations that correspond to a mirror image. For example, a squirrel buries a nut in summer, then finds it in winter; a woman writes a manuscript, then signs copies of her finished book. Some of the images are disturbing (for "a time of hate," someone kicks a dog, and a boy holds a gun), but Halperin (The Secret Remedy Book) balances these with enough humor and childlike vignettes elsewhere to keep youngsters engaged (for "a time to build up/ a time to break down," bookend paintings show children building a snowman and, the snowman after it has melted). A compact disc containing both Seeger's original song and The Byrds' rendition (tucked into a pocket on the back cover) complements the circle motif. This attractive volume provides a lovely introduction to a timeless verse and a beloved song for a new generation of children, and invites deeper consideration for those already familiar with both. All ages. (Sept) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
