Review - What the World Needs Now Is Love

What the World Needs Now Is Love
by Burt Bacharach & Hal David
illustrated by Mary Kate McDevitt
Date: 2017
Publisher: Penguin Workshop
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book
Pages: 32
Format: e-book
Source: library

For anyone who needs to be reminded of the power of love, this beautiful book is the perfect gift!

With its soothing lyrics and calming tones, "What the World Needs Now Is Love" has become a beloved song worldwide since its release in 1965. Now, for the first time ever, these captivating lyrics are in book form accompanied by gorgeous illustrations, and perfectly packaged with a ribbon enclosure.

Both a reminder of the importance of love and a call to make the world a better place, this book is the perfect gift for anyone you care about—or for yourself when you need some gentle comfort.

(synopsis from Goodreads)

I like the idea of this book in theory: take a lovely song from the 1960s and add some illustrations to make it more accessible for kids.

Unfortunately, I really didn't like the illustrations. They're colourful and show a nice degree of diversity... but I also found them a bit ugly. I think it could've really been something special if the illustrations had been in a more realistic style. Even a series of beautiful photographs to emphasize the words could've worked. As it is, however, the illustrations just left me bored, and I found myself rushing to get through the book rather than really taking the time to look at it and absorb the words. (That's probably not the response the publisher was going for.)

It's too bad about the illustrations, because the song has a timely message. Love really is the only thing that there's just too little of. Unfortunately, I couldn't find much to love here, either.

Premise: 3/5
Meter: 4/5
Writing: 4/5
Illustrations: 2/5
Originality: 3/5

Enjoyment: 2/5

Overall: 2.86 out of 5