Wendy Anderson Halperin Children's Book Author & Illustrator

Turn Turn Turn

Pete Seeger adapted the text from the Bible, the Book of Ecclesiastes, Chapter III, verses 1-8 and Chapter I, verse 4 into this poetic verse. Wendy Halperin then used the refrain from Seeger's adaptation -- Turn! Turn! Turn! to inspire the circular illustrations in which she created contrasting images for the various phrases. Leo Dillon and Diane Dillon have also illustrated a similar text. The Dillons use the text and their art to celebrate the seasons (moments in time) of human existence. They have used various settings and various art styles - gouache, acrylic, watercolor, and ink paintings. The opening image is based on the Book of Kells; among other styles used are Japanese ukiyo-e, Greek red-and-black pottery, kiva painting, medieval woodcuts, Russian icons, and Thai shadow plays. Those illustrations are included in their book:

To Every Thing There Is a Season: Verses from Ecclesiates, illustrated by Leo Dillon and Diane Dillon. (Scholastic, 1998).

Connections:

Read the Seeger/Halperin book and then compare and discuss the text adaptation and the various illustrations that Halperin and the Dillons used to illustrate each phrase/concept.

Select two contrasting phrases such as "A time of Love" "A time of Hate" and create your illustration in a two panel illustration.
Use the CD to listen and learn the song and melody.

Include a choral singing of the song in a school program celebrating a literacy event such as, a breakfast where strolling singers entertain parents, grandparents with music or poems related to stories and poems.