If Not for You by Bob Dylan

by Bob Dylan

Iconic singer-songwriter Bob Dylan and illustrator David Walker team up to present this charming, cozy, and touching interpretation of “If Not for You.”If not for you…I’d be sad and blue.If not for you…I just wouldn’t have a clue.If not for you…What would I do?In this inventive interpretation of Bob Dylan’s 1970 song “If Not for You,” illustrator David Walker beautifully imagines Dylan’s lyrics as portraying the bottomless love between a parent and a child—and the magical experiences they might share together.

Genres: Picture Books, Music, Animals, Childrens, Family, Poetry, Dogs

Unknown Binding

First published April 12, 2016

About the author

Bob Dylan (born Robert Allen Zimmerman) is an American singer-songwriter, author, musician, poet, and, of late, disc jockey who has been a major figure in popular music for five decades. Much of Dylan's most celebrated work dates from the 1960s, when he became an informal chronicler and a reluctant figurehead of American unrest. A number of his songs, such as "Blowin' in the Wind" and "The Times They Are a-Changin'", became anthems of the anti-war and civil rights movements. His most recent studio album, Modern Times, released on August 29, 2006, entered the U.S. album charts at #1, making him, at age sixty five, the oldest living person to top those charts.

Bob Dylan won the Nobel Prize in Literature (2016).

Reviews

[Dave Schaafsma · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read this because I am a Dylan fan and it is one of a series of children's picture books he has done over the years. I didn't really like it much at all, but I gave it one star for, you know, Dylan.

This is a sample of the sweet simple lyrics, which in his actual singing of the song comes off funky and cool, in my opinion:

If not for you…
I’d be sad and blue.
If not for you…
I just wouldn’t have a clue.
If not for you…
What would I do?

We know now Dylan was a pretty reclusive guy, but a fiercely protective father, one who wanted all his fans to leave him alone so he could just live, when he wasn't performing. And I recall he also did music with kids which was generally awful. Badly conceived, sappy. But he had kids in his heart, and I give him a star here for that. I have kids there, too.

But I can't believe Dylan ever met the guy, Walker, who did this art, which reduces his lyrics to a bit of--again--sappy picture book cutesieness. Even at its lightest, and only on rare occasion, was Dylan's music regrettably sappy, but Walker makes it look this way, unfortunately. I guess kids might like it, which Walker would jump on here and insist "that's the point!" but the only reason you would buy this book is because Dylan's name is on it, and then you will be disappointed.

[A.K. Madison · Rating 5 out of 5]

There's not much I can say about this except that the lyrics to Dylan's song taken on a newer and even deeper meaning when read to a small child. Get this book and read it with a preschooler you love. And make sure they know that YOU feel that way about THEM.

[Elizabeth Guzman · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the story of a cute little dog that loves his friend. If not for you…my life would not be as great. I found this to be very heart filled and adorable. The reading level is very beginner, with very few, large words. The illustrations are great, very bright and colorful. The soft images have a yellow glow around them, showing a nice happy aura. The relationship between a loving mother and child is an interpretation of Bob Dylan’s song from 1970 “If Not For You”. This love is endless and touching. I would recommend this book as a read aloud from parent to child. This story is filled with so much love it’s hard not to feel good after reading it. Having this love be shown through dogs makes it even more interesting for children to look at. This might be a good bedtime story to read to children.

[Anna · Rating 3 out of 5]

First of, I don't know this song. I didn't know it was a song, until I opened the book and read the sleeve cover. So text wise I wasn't much of a fan of it. I didn't like how the word "babe" was used and the beginning was just iffy for me. The lyrics got better and were really sweet later. But what I really loved about this book were the illustrations. It's the main reason why I picked it up. Plus, the title seemed like it would be a real cute book. So let me tell you that the illustrations are absolutely wonderful and so beautiful. I love the style of the drawings and the colors. If this book was full of only illustrations done in that style, it would get 5 stars because it's that good and amazing. Text wise, maybe a 3 or 2 1/2.

[Nicola · Rating 1 out of 5]

This didn't work for us and didn't entirely make sense to Miss 4. I think it would have been better if there was a CD included so that we could just look at the pictures while the song was playing (as opposed to reading it).

Miss 4 and I like to explore different books and authors at the library, sometimes around particular topics or themes. We try to get different ones out every week or so; it's fun for both of us to have the variety and to look at a mix of new & favourite authors.

[John Mullarkey · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a very sweet adaption of the Bob Dylan classic song set to a picture book. The deep meaning is perfect for a parent and small child - it highlights the strong family bond and of course, love for a child. It is a great read aloud to share one on one and would make a terrific gift to be treasured in a personal library. The illustrations are colorful and bright and show how much affection is shared between the parent dog and its child/puppy.

[The Book Maven · Rating 3 out of 5]

While this picture book (which is composed of the lyrics from a Bob Dylan song) is a perfectly lovely book, something tells me it's going to be parents who derive the greatest enjoyment from it. Or, depending on where they are in their lives, perhaps the greatest poignancy and overwhelming sense of depression.

[CatJuggler · Rating 3 out of 5]

In this larger format picture-book the illustrations pull you right into the story, a touching story of a parent's love for the child...in this case, a cuddly, playful, spotted fluff-puppy.


Had to go through it again just for the illustrations.
Still cuddly, fluffy, spotted puppy.

[Melissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

My niece loved the pictures but was not into the story as much

[Lindsay · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 stars because the illustrations are nice. Otherwise, 2 stars. I don't think the songs into children's book concept works well in general.

[Stacie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sweet little picture book of a parents love for their child, words by Bob Dylan.

[Kelly · Rating 2 out of 5]

It didn't move me.

[منال الندابي · Rating 5 out of 5]

I bought this book before I even thought about having kids, because it felt like exactly the sort of book I'd love to read with my children. Hind and I enjoy it every time.

[Rusty · Rating 5 out of 5]

If not for you, Dylan, we wouldn't have some of the greatest music and lyrics of all time! ❤️ ❤️ ❤️ Thank you Bob!

[Kelsey · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was sweet to use Bob Dylan’s lyrics for a children’s storybook. I love the illustrations in this book.

[Payton Hunter · Rating 3 out of 5]

Adorable adaptation of Bob dylan's song. Great story showing the relationship between adult and kid. I would reccomend this book to parents but would not use it in my own classroom.

[Laura Williams · Rating 2 out of 5]

Adorably illustrated but the interplay of the song's lyrics (with the use of "babe" implying a romantic interpretation) with the familial context just gave this book an uncomfortable tone.

[BlackhamBooks]

The LFL needed a restock and I didn't have time to do my read /rate/review ... this was a "read and listen" with included audio. Added July 8 and it was snagged shortly after.

[Tegan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really liked the illustrations.

[Juliana Lee · Rating 3 out of 5]

A nice book for parents who remember Bob Dylan's song by the same name. For those who don't, this might be harder to read... I on the other hand couldn't read it without following the same cadence of the song. The illustrations of a parent/child (dogs) spending their days together are precious. A view of how the parent's life changed after the arrival of the child.

[Art · Rating 5 out of 5]

Five of Bob Dylan's five hundred songs transformed into children's illustrated storybooks. This is the latest one, which released two weeks ago.

Fun and charming. The paintings illustrate the lyrics of Dylan's song from 1970, a love song to Sara, his wife.

Warning: Do not open and read this book by itself. You must strap on your headphones and play the song while reading. Then play and read it again. You can choose from the original tune, or try the acoustic alternative version.

Officially, this book for young readers celebrates the love between parent and child, but we also can read it as love between lovers.

Release of this book pointed me to four other Dylan songs illustrated for kids.

[Lynn · Rating 3 out of 5]

An introduction to a new generation! I dare you to read this book without getting into the rhythm of the song. It rang in my head just reading the title and I hadn't even seen the "author"'s name.

Soft, colorful illustrations try to interpret the words on a child's level - somewhat successfully. That being said, I don't like music videos or movies made from books because they distort my own mental image of what I think the author was saying to me through their words.
I do think this would be a nice, reassuring bedtime story.

[Maude · Rating 5 out of 5]

lire un livre en chantant ça fait sourire

[Samantha · Rating 2 out of 5]

Lyrics from Bob Dylan's song are set against acrylic illustrations depicting the loving relationship between parent and child as portrayed by dogs.

This book could sit very comfortably on the shelf next to McBratney's Guess How Much I Love You in that it would make a nice baby shower gift and its illustrations are cute like nursery décor.

Fans of Dylan will likely want to skip this, though.

Baby, Toddler and PreK.

[Robin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Despite my love for music and lyrics, I did not know the song "If Not For You," was written by Bob Dylan. I know I've heard the song and liked it but I don't have a strong connection to Dylan's music. This is a sweetly illustrated book to go along with these lovely lyrics.

[Angie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful, simple illustrations with Dylan's lovely lyrics make this adorable picture book one that's both heartwarming and full of nostalgia.
I can't decide yet if I will just read it or sing it in story time.

[Kelsey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Age: 0-2 years

Big, bold illustrations and rhythmic text make this perfect for storytimes. Although, you'll probably want to avoid a nasally drawl unless you have the accompaniment of the guitar or harmonica.

[Sherry · Rating 5 out of 5]

A touching book, with it's fervent simplicity bringing it to the level of endearing. This title was a 'quick grab' for a read out loud group, I had no idea who the author was until after I read it. I hope Mr. Dylan writes more of these wonderful pieces.

[Bethe · Rating 2 out of 5]

Bookaday #66. Sweet but sappy adaptation of one of Dylan's songs - might be a better board book? Shout out for cute dogs and narwhals!

[Kecia · Rating 2 out of 5]

I forgot what it was about 10 minutes after reading it. Cute illustrations.