John's Secret Dreams: The Life of John Lennon

My 2 1/2-year-old daughter was given this book as a gift. Yes, she's a little young to understand it, but she's already a Beatles fan... I read the book to her and she asked questions about why John was sad growing up, and I sang her the printed song lyrics (I likely will burn her a CD with all the songs featured in the book). I know that she won't get all of it (I glossed over the last page; she doesn't need to know what murder is just yet), but it's a beautifully written & illustrated book that not only gives facts about John's career but also draws you in and makes you want to learn more; she will definitely grow with this book. In fact, I showed her footage of the Beatles performing in the Cavern and John Lennon's "Imagine" music video after she saw the drawings in the book. (My only - and very minor - gripe is that the author chose lyrics from Paul's section of "A Day in the Life".)

...and the world will live as one. These inspirational words from John Lennon from his 1971 mega hit, "Imagine" beautifully underscore this book. The gentle illustrations of John as a young boy to the man he became are sure to delight all ages. This is a wonderful way to introduce children to the Chief Beatle, the man who founded the World's Number One Band as well as to see what influences helped John create the poignant lyrics that he did. John's sad classic, "Mother" was about how his natural mother Julia turned him over to her older sister and brother-in-law to raise; "Imagine" was the vision that John had for a peaceful world where we all live as one. Please read this book and share it with somebody. It is not only a deeply moving book, it is one that will resonate in the heart and mind as well.

For children whose parents steeped them in the Beatles as mine did, this book of swimming, beautiful collages about the life of John Lennon is a wonderful treat. The story is essentially a highlight of the good and the not-so-good parts of John's life and the many poingant, moving, and splendedly beautiful things he had to say. It deals with the sadness of John's abandonment by his mother ("Mother, you had me, I never had you"), the jubilation of creating a rock'n'roll phemonenon that shook the world and his wild sense of the absurd (Goo Goo Ga'Joob!). The book is punctuated by lyrics from many Beatles songs and is, basically, very moving. Although a few aspects of John's life mentioned in the book, divorcing his wife to marry Yoko Ono for example, may take a bit of explaination for younger children they are certainly important parts of John's life. The message of the book is John's constant message to the world: "Yes" is the answer and Love is all you need.