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With a Little Help from My Friends
A picture book that illustrates John Lennon and Paul McCartney’s lyrics from “With a Little Help from My Friends.”
I get by with a little help from my friends…
I get by with a little help from my friends…
40 pages, Hardcover
Published December 10, 2019
4 people are currently reading
101 people want to read
About the author
John Lennon
749 books1,974 followersJohn Winston Ono Lennon, MBE, was an English singer-songwriter who rose to worldwide fame as one of the founding members of The Beatles, and together with Paul McCartney formed one of the most successful songwriting partnerships of the 20th century.
Born and raised in Liverpool, Lennon became involved in the skiffle craze as a teenager, his first band, The Quarrymen, evolving into The Beatles in 1960. As the group began to undergo the disintegration that led to their break-up towards the end of that decade, Lennon launched a solo career that would span the next decade, punctuated by critically acclaimed albums, including John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band and Imagine, and iconic songs such as "Give Peace a Chance" and "Imagine".
Lennon revealed a rebellious nature and acerbic wit in his music, his writing, on film, and in interviews, and became controversial through his work as a peace activist. He moved to New York City in 1971, where his criticism of the Vietnam War resulted in a lengthy attempt by Richard Nixon's administration to deport him, while his songs were adapted as anthems by the anti-war movement. Disengaging himself from the music business in 1975 to devote time to his family, Lennon reemerged in October 1980 with a new single and a comeback album, Double Fantasy, but was murdered weeks after their release on the sidewalk outside his home in the Dakota. Ironically, "Imagine" (imagine all the people, living life in peace) was a featured cut from this album.
Lennon's album sales in the United States alone stand at 14 million units, and as performer, writer, or co-writer he is responsible for 27 number one singles on the US Hot 100 chart. In 2002, a BBC poll on the 100 Greatest Britons voted him eighth, and in 2008 Rolling Stone ranked him the fifth greatest singer of all time. He was posthumously inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1987 and into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1994.
--Wikipedia the Free Encyclopedia --
Born and raised in Liverpool, Lennon became involved in the skiffle craze as a teenager, his first band, The Quarrymen, evolving into The Beatles in 1960. As the group began to undergo the disintegration that led to their break-up towards the end of that decade, Lennon launched a solo career that would span the next decade, punctuated by critically acclaimed albums, including John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band and Imagine, and iconic songs such as "Give Peace a Chance" and "Imagine".
Lennon revealed a rebellious nature and acerbic wit in his music, his writing, on film, and in interviews, and became controversial through his work as a peace activist. He moved to New York City in 1971, where his criticism of the Vietnam War resulted in a lengthy attempt by Richard Nixon's administration to deport him, while his songs were adapted as anthems by the anti-war movement. Disengaging himself from the music business in 1975 to devote time to his family, Lennon reemerged in October 1980 with a new single and a comeback album, Double Fantasy, but was murdered weeks after their release on the sidewalk outside his home in the Dakota. Ironically, "Imagine" (imagine all the people, living life in peace) was a featured cut from this album.
Lennon's album sales in the United States alone stand at 14 million units, and as performer, writer, or co-writer he is responsible for 27 number one singles on the US Hot 100 chart. In 2002, a BBC poll on the 100 Greatest Britons voted him eighth, and in 2008 Rolling Stone ranked him the fifth greatest singer of all time. He was posthumously inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1987 and into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1994.
--Wikipedia the Free Encyclopedia --
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 55 reviews
January 4, 2020
Lovely artwork in these pages. They look like pencil drawings. The art is amazing and the story is touching and it’s all based on the song by the Beatles. I love these books that make a story out of a famous song.
I got to sing this one to the nephew which brought in the curious niece and they did know the song and they sang the chorus with me.
Two girls are best friends and one moves away and they still need each other. It really is a beautiful story.
The nephew loves singing a book. He seemed interested in what was happening between the kids. He was interested in a book about a relationship. It’s a short book and easy to follow, but it interested him. Wow, this is growth. I’m so happy. He found it very sad for the best friend to move away. He said he wouldn’t like that. He gave this 4 stars. The niece thought this was the sweetest book. Moving schools, she has left a friend behind before and she knows this feeling. She gave this book 4 stars too.
We had fun singing this one together.
I got to sing this one to the nephew which brought in the curious niece and they did know the song and they sang the chorus with me.
Two girls are best friends and one moves away and they still need each other. It really is a beautiful story.
The nephew loves singing a book. He seemed interested in what was happening between the kids. He was interested in a book about a relationship. It’s a short book and easy to follow, but it interested him. Wow, this is growth. I’m so happy. He found it very sad for the best friend to move away. He said he wouldn’t like that. He gave this 4 stars. The niece thought this was the sweetest book. Moving schools, she has left a friend behind before and she knows this feeling. She gave this book 4 stars too.
We had fun singing this one together.
January 19, 2020
This is a lovely little book about friendship. Taking the 1967 song as its starting point, the book weaves a story about two young girls and their friendship as it faces a major challenge.
The illustrations by Henry Cole are really adorable. They're mostly in black and white, with just a few touches of colour. I think they were my favourite part of the book and, to be honest, this probably could've been a wordless picture book and it would've worked just as well. The song lyrics did seem a bit forced in a few places, and I'm not sure if "I get high with a little help from my friends" is entirely appropriate for a picture book (the illustrations cleverly use a kite at that point, so it's probably only older kids who will giggle over the "get high" reference).
I've read other books that take old songs and turn them into picture books (e.g., What the World Needs Now Is Love and The Circle Game ), but this is one of the strongest I've read so far. Highly recommended to Beatles fans or readers who are seeking out books on friendship.
Quotable moment:
The illustrations by Henry Cole are really adorable. They're mostly in black and white, with just a few touches of colour. I think they were my favourite part of the book and, to be honest, this probably could've been a wordless picture book and it would've worked just as well. The song lyrics did seem a bit forced in a few places, and I'm not sure if "I get high with a little help from my friends" is entirely appropriate for a picture book (the illustrations cleverly use a kite at that point, so it's probably only older kids who will giggle over the "get high" reference).
I've read other books that take old songs and turn them into picture books (e.g., What the World Needs Now Is Love and The Circle Game ), but this is one of the strongest I've read so far. Highly recommended to Beatles fans or readers who are seeking out books on friendship.
Quotable moment:
April 17, 2020
--Oh, look. The Joe Cocker song.
--No mom, it's the Beatles.
I guess I always associated this more with JC than as a Beatles song. Oops.
I didn't care for this as much as others did. It kind of felt like cheating. Make a book out of a famous song. It just didn't feel original or fresh.
--No mom, it's the Beatles.
I guess I always associated this more with JC than as a Beatles song. Oops.
I didn't care for this as much as others did. It kind of felt like cheating. Make a book out of a famous song. It just didn't feel original or fresh.
February 14, 2020
I LOVE the illustrations in this book. They were beautiful and I loved the tiny bits of color that popped on each page in the sketches.
I also LOVE the Beatles, this song, the Across the Universe soundtrack, and the Wonder Years.
So with those two things in mind...I should love this book? And yet, I feel conflicted. The lyrics of this song don't really work well with this story in my opinion. It felt a little forced and a little unconnected for me which was kind of a let down.
I also LOVE the Beatles, this song, the Across the Universe soundtrack, and the Wonder Years.
So with those two things in mind...I should love this book? And yet, I feel conflicted. The lyrics of this song don't really work well with this story in my opinion. It felt a little forced and a little unconnected for me which was kind of a let down.
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December 19, 2019So... I had no idea this song was written by the Beatles. I just always knew it as the "Wonder Years" song!
January 16, 2020
My son doesn’t like me singing, but I really enjoyed this book.
March 5, 2020
I've always liked the song (duh, it's the Beatles!), and the illustrations in this book tell an accompanying story that is sweet and endearing.
December 17, 2019
Two little girls find each other and become fast friends, but then, when one of them moves away, they “get by” writing letters, calling each other and planning a visit. The text is the lyrics of the Beatles song "With a Little Help from My Friends"
I have loved this series of illustrated classic songs. Even better when you listen to the song while you read. Henry Cole’s illustrations are splashed with color and nicely expressive. Imagining a story based on song lyrics.
For this and more of my reviews, visit http://kissthebook.blogspot.com CHECK IT OUT!
I have loved this series of illustrated classic songs. Even better when you listen to the song while you read. Henry Cole’s illustrations are splashed with color and nicely expressive. Imagining a story based on song lyrics.
For this and more of my reviews, visit http://kissthebook.blogspot.com CHECK IT OUT!
December 18, 2019
I don't typically like picture books that rehash song lyrics. I really enjoyed the illustrations in this book. I tried to ignore the lyrics while I looked through to see what it would be like as a wordless picture book and I think I might have preferred it that way. Nothing against the song - but I just don't particularly like reading lyrics, especially when they don't exactly fit what I'm looking at. Illustrations and the sweet story that they tell, though, raised this one up for me.
March 18, 2022
I thoroughly enjoyed this book; the illustrator, Henry Cole, has done a marvelous job FILLING the pages with characters that match the lyrics perfectly. The lyrics, written by John Lennon AND Paul McCartney are fun to recall and enhanced in story form.
From the book jacket: "The legendary songwriting partnership of John Lennon and Paul McCartney is one of the best-known and most prolific in music history. Between the years of 1962 and 1969, the duo published more than 180 songs, many of which have become iconic anthems of popular culture. The Beatles are the best-selling band in history, with sales of more than 600 million records worldwide. Today, they still hold the record for most number-one hits on the Billboard Hot 100 chart with twenty. The lyrics of John Lennon and Paul McCartney continue to transcend multiple generations. "
From the book jacket: "The legendary songwriting partnership of John Lennon and Paul McCartney is one of the best-known and most prolific in music history. Between the years of 1962 and 1969, the duo published more than 180 songs, many of which have become iconic anthems of popular culture. The Beatles are the best-selling band in history, with sales of more than 600 million records worldwide. Today, they still hold the record for most number-one hits on the Billboard Hot 100 chart with twenty. The lyrics of John Lennon and Paul McCartney continue to transcend multiple generations. "
September 13, 2021
I sang this book instead of reading it. Loved the story told through illustration appealing to children and their friend.
June 24, 2023
"I get by with a little help from my friends…." ~ Yep!
We all know the classic, timeless words by Lennon and McCartney, but it’s still worth a read/look as the illustrations by Henry Cole are freakin’ adorable! I loved it!
We all know the classic, timeless words by Lennon and McCartney, but it’s still worth a read/look as the illustrations by Henry Cole are freakin’ adorable! I loved it!
February 26, 2020
charming and I couldn't help but hum the tune
January 3, 2020
I'm not sure the payoff of this one is realistic. And I'm not sure the message it sends is a good one about children and friendships.
February 17, 2020
With a Little Help From My Friends by John Lennon and Paul McCartney, illustrated by Henry Cole PICTURE BOOK Little Simon Simon and Schuster, 2019 $18 978-1534429833
BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE
AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE
Two little girls find each other and become fast friends, but then, when one of them moves away, they “get by” writing letters, calling each other and planning a visit. The text is the lyrics of the Beatles song "With a Little Help from My Friends"
I have loved this series of illustrated classic songs. Even better when you listen to the song while you read. Henry Cole’s illustrations are splashed with color and nicely expressive. Imagining a story based on song lyrics.
Lisa Librarian
https://kissthebookjr.blogspot.com/20...
BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE
AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE
Two little girls find each other and become fast friends, but then, when one of them moves away, they “get by” writing letters, calling each other and planning a visit. The text is the lyrics of the Beatles song "With a Little Help from My Friends"
I have loved this series of illustrated classic songs. Even better when you listen to the song while you read. Henry Cole’s illustrations are splashed with color and nicely expressive. Imagining a story based on song lyrics.
Lisa Librarian
https://kissthebookjr.blogspot.com/20...
April 18, 2020
I really wanted to love this book, because "With a Little Help from my Friends" is one of my favourite songs by the Beatles, but overall it was a bit of a let down. I guess I was just spoiled by the perfection of the scene in Across the Universe which uses the song to so aptly depict the early stages of Jude's friendship with the rambunctious group of college lads led by Max. The book follows a friendship between two young girls, showing them meeting at school, their adventures together, and all the fun parts of being young. We then see them cope with "when my love is away", as one of the girl's families moves, and their friendship must adapt to the distance. As someone who has had to leave her friends many times, these scenes hit pretty close to home, but also made me remember how I've been able to keep in touch with so many of them over the years and across the vast distance of Canada. So maybe the book is more powerful than I gave it credit for, even if I still don't entiely like it.
April 14, 2020
The famous lyrics by John Lennon and Paul McCartney are shown in a beautiful celebration of love and friendship. Two little girls become close friends, only to be separated by distance. Through their close friendship, letters, and calls, they still find a way to feel accepted and loved as they “get by with a little help from my friends.” Evoking illustrations put scenes to the famous lyrics, while also sharing a story of friendship and acceptance.
For more of my reviews and body paints of book covers visit my Instagram page: https://www.instagram.com/amy_forthel...
For more of my reviews and body paints of book covers visit my Instagram page: https://www.instagram.com/amy_forthel...
March 12, 2020
With a Little Help From My Friends written by John Lennon and Paul McCartney, illustrated by Henry Cole (Little Simon 2019) (Children's Fiction) (3428). This is a children's book which deals with the youthful heartache that results when a best friend moves away. I appreciated both the story and the drawings, but how the author gained permission from Sir Paul McCartney and the estate of the late John Lennon to use their lyrics is beyond me. My rating: 7/10, finished 3/11/20 (3428).
May 7, 2020
Henry Cole illustrates a story of friends who stay strong through ups and downs that is paired with the lyrics from John Lennon and Paul McCartney's song.
A sweet story of friendship. Henry Cole's illustrations are always amazing. I'm not a big Beetles fan, but you don't need to be to like this. (It does seem weird to have the phrase "I get high with a little help from my friends" repeatedly in an innocent children's book. I think I would've changed the lyrics to I get picked up or lifted up.)
A sweet story of friendship. Henry Cole's illustrations are always amazing. I'm not a big Beetles fan, but you don't need to be to like this. (It does seem weird to have the phrase "I get high with a little help from my friends" repeatedly in an innocent children's book. I think I would've changed the lyrics to I get picked up or lifted up.)
January 7, 2020
A nice interpretation of the famous Beatles' song. The illustrations are lovely and follow a story of two young friends who move away from each other but maintain their friendship.
The song's phrase "I get high with a little help from my friends" may be too problematic to share with a group in a program, but could work one on one with some discussion, teachable moment style.
The song's phrase "I get high with a little help from my friends" may be too problematic to share with a group in a program, but could work one on one with some discussion, teachable moment style.
May 19, 2020
I absolutely could not help but sing along to this Beatles song set to pictures by Henry Cole. Fun for all who can sing along, but you don't need to know the song to follow the friendship of two young girls as they meet at school, and then one moves away. Sweet and little sad- I felt emotional at the end...maybe because music makes you feel emotional?
September 10, 2021
This classic song can be enjoyed by members of every generation. This sweet and nicely illustrated book uses scenes that are relatable to children--a best friend is made at school, the friend moves away, and the kids find a way to stay in touch. This little story has a big heart and kids and adults will be singing the lyrics together.
January 6, 2020
Beautiful illustrations to accompany a great song. Would probably be hard to read this aloud without feeling like you need to sing it. Would probably work well by playing the song and projecting the illustrations for all to see.
February 12, 2020
Once again, unless you sing the Beatles tune, children won't enjoy it that much. Or maybe I'm wrong. At least this illustrator did a LOVELY job of conveying the light and color a true friend brings into our lives. Seriously, the illustrations are what drew me in! (and hence the higher review)
April 2, 2020
The classic song illustrated. However, the story comes from the illustrations. You follow two friends as they learn to deal with the ups and downs of life because they have each other. Even if it means taking an airplane to get to each other.
April 28, 2020
Usually I don't like books written with the words of a popular song...I find them hard to leave the song cadence and let the words stand on their own. However, this book, along with the fantastic illustrations, does a great job delivering the message.
October 6, 2020
Beautiful illustrations/art, but using L&M lyrics is unoriginal, even though they are wonderful words. Story about a friendship facing hardship of being separated by a move. Another politically correct children's book. Showing those who look different can be friends.
January 24, 2022
My BFF gave me a copy of this book for Christmas so it will always be special to me. Don't take your friends for granted. I get by with a little help from my friends all the time and this book is a great reminder of how special they can be.
December 25, 2019
As Beatles fan we enjoyed the lyrics and illustrations.
January 20, 2020
The classic Beatles tune revisited in pictures. The lasting power of real friendship.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 55 reviews