Canyon has outdone himself in his second pairing with a John Denver tune, this one about returning home to the place of his roots.
A cast of wonderfully expressive characters journey day and night toward a reunion. Just as in real life, the family members are an interesting bunch, humorously reflected in the vehicles they are driving – a peace-sign-adorned Volkswagen van, a motorcycle, a station wagon towing a camper, a pickup truck, a camouflage-painted jeep and a fancy touring auto. The joyous reunion and its attendant feast and musical jam will have families itching to gather together. Canyon`s portrayal of the song`s West Virginia mountains and countryside as a quilt is inspired. Painting on textured paper and including every detail, right down to the stitches between the differently patterned ‘fabrics’ making up the fields, mountains and trees, even hardcore quilters might be fooled into thinking this was the work of a needle and thread.
— Kirkus Review (October 1, 2005)
And many a family will want to load up the minivan for an outing expressly to hear John Denver’s Take Me Home, Country Roads, which has been released in a book-and-CD package, adapted and illustrated by Christopher Canyon (who also adapted the late singer’s Sunshine On My Shoulders for kids). Jaunty artwork with the busy color and texture of a patchwork quilt add to the listen-while-you-look fun.
— Publisher’s Weekly (October 10, 2005)
When I started going down that country road many years ago I had no idea where it would lead. The thought became a song and the song happily traveled the world in many cultures and languages. It’s found itself in outer space and at the bottom of the sea.
Now for a new world of children it’s brought to life through the captivating imagination of Christopher Canyon and his colorful patchwork quilt inspired illustrations. Like most of the fun books I’ve ever looked at with kids, the pages are full of interesting things to find. Every turn of page reveals new characters and objects to make up side stories about while we follow various folks and critters “home” to a family reunion. It’s vibrant and happy and sure to be requested by the young ones over and over. I can’t wait to read it to a kid.
— Bill Danoff – Co-songwriter with John Denver of
“Take Me Home, Country Roads”
John Denver’s music has long been many a listener’s favorite expression of love between human and nature, though he has a great catalog of songs whose subject matter is far less earthy (“Leaving on a Jet Plane,” etc.). The latest installment in Christopher Canyon’s series of children’s books based on the songs of John Denver, Take Me Home, Country Roads is the ideal combination of human and earth. The song is a love letter to the beautiful Appalachian Mountains, and when accompanied by Canyon’s illustrations, it also tells the story of a family reunion. In fact the song was originally inspired by a reunion that Denver’s sometime musical comrades Bill Danoff and Taffy Nivert drove to in 1971. Denver helped them write the song, and it became one of his best-loved hits.
Canyon’s paintings are done in the style of a quilt, with tiny paint marks like the stitches in keeping with the Appalachian theme. Huge glowing moons, dusty mines, and rolling green hills provide the backdrop for the characters reuniting in West Virginia. The story is obviously set in the 1970s, which provides some charmingly anachronistic styles to gaze upon. The book is a visual treasure, and to enhance the experience one can listen to the included recording of John Denver performing “Take Me Home, Country Roads” in the cloth edition.
— The Bloomsbury Review – Sofia Walker (March/April 2006)
This is a loving tribute to Denver, who died in 1997. His legacy is in his music; “Take Me Home, Country Roads” was first hit, and remains among his most memorable songs. The bright, beautifully illustrated pages have a patchwork-quilt motif that spreads over the hills and villages depicted in homey vistas. Canyon sought to celebrate Appalachian tradition, but also the comfort of home and family. His story pages show a family on a journey – by car, truck, minivan, and even motorcycle – through the hills to a family reunion. Although familiar with the Denver hit, he was unaware of the source as he drew. His artistic intuition compelled him to interpret the lyrics in this way. In actuality, “Country Roads” was inspired by a drive to a family gathering taken by friends of Denver, Bill Danoff and Taffy Nivert. They literally composed the beginnings of the piece as they traveled through the hills of Western Maryland. Later, the couple invited Denver to help finish the song, and soon it was done – and transported to West Virginia.
There can be no finer legacy than to have one’s art shared with generations to come. That’s exactly what this charming picture book accomplishes. Denver would be pleased.
— Dirty Linen – Linda J. Morris (Dec. 2006/Jan. 2007)
Calling all John Denver fans. His hit song, Take Me Home, Country Roads, has been turned into a rambunctious picture book by Christopher Canyon, complete with CD. A much-anticipated reunion calls family members back to West Virginia and their “mountain mama.” They arrive in cars towing campers, pickups, minivans, Harley-Davidsons and even an old VW bus complete with peace sign. The characters are a hoot, the party is raucous, and the vibe is joyous. The buoyant paintings on textured paper look just like quilts made by mountain ladies, right down to the stitching. You’ll all be singing along as you plan your own family gathering.
— Cleveland Plain Dealer – Kathy Englehart (May 28, 2006)
Thank you for the opportunity to have a sneak peek at “Take Me Home, Country Roads.” I found the book’s artistic concept completely charming. Christopher Canyon’s illustrations offer a wonderful blend of whimsy and sentiment using the art of quilting. I was amazed to hear that he doesn’t have a quilting background (better ask his Grandma) as the subtitles are fabulous. I think children of all ages will enjoy the book.
— Alex Anderson – Host of “Simply Quilts” TV show
& bestselling quilt book author (August 2005)
How many times did I sit in my bedroom playing my 45 record of John Denver and belting out Take Me Home, Country Roads or Rocky Mountain High? His music celebrated the love of both music and nature; no kid in the 1970s was worth his bell bottoms without knowing about John Denver.
Using Denver’s lyrics, Christopher Canyon has created a rich patchwork of scenes that depict relatives coming together in West Virginia for a family reunion. The illustrations look as if they are quilted, West Virginia mountain style.
Each family unit portrayed is different, from hippies to Harley riders to conservative station-wagon clans. Each picture features carloads of happy family members traveling the country roads to come together for a joyous reunion. A CD of Canyon singing Denver’s classic accompanies the book, highly recommended for both the nostalgia of the song and the incredibly detailed, beautiful illustrations. Perfect for a car trip, perfect for bedtime reading and crooning.
— Winston-Salem Journal – Monica Young (October 16, 2005)
John Denver’s internationally celebrated song, “Take Me Home Country Roads,” is Dawn Publications’ third title in the John Denver & Kids Book Series. John Denver was a great advocate for children, healthy families, and the environment. The lyrics of his first big hit make up the story, along with award-winning artist Christopher Canyon’s brilliant illustrations that look like quilting. Canyon illustrates a family making their way through the hills of West Virginia to a reunion at Grandma and Grandpa’s house. This book is all about family, going home, and belonging.
— West Virginia Family Magazine (Dec/Jan 2007)
John Denver’s famous song is wonderfully brought to life in this book that will surely delight all ages. Follow John Denver’s song through the book, with colorful, quilt-inspired illustrations depicting a drive through the country. The hardcover version comes complete with a CD of John Denver singing.
— Genesee Valley Parent – Jillian Melnyk (April 2008)
John Denver’s Take Me Home, Country Roads, adapted and illustrated by Christopher Canyon, celebrates a festive family reunion through the song lyrics that first made John Denver famous. Depicting the West Virginia homecoming in nostalgic quilt-pictures, the illustrator captures the rich, colorful beauty of the countryside setting, stitched to perfection.
Take Me Home, Country Roads is the third in the “John Denver & Kids” series; the hardback edition includes an audio CD of John’s original song.
— The Capital-Journal (Topeka, KS) – Gary & Barbara Bleeker (October 27, 2005)
John Denver’s Take Me Home, Country Roads is an illustrated version of Denver’s popular song.
Max:
“I like this song! {sings}‘Country roads, take me home to the place, I belong. West Virginia, mountain mama, take me home,: The pictures in the book were really cool. They look different than other books that we read. There are a lot of things in them too! My favorite picture was the one with the train””
Parent’s comments:
I have decided there is nothing cuter than seeing my 4-year-old walk around the house randomly starting to sing “Take Me Home, Country Roads.” The song is definitely stuck in his head after reading this book. The illustrations in John Denver’s Take Me Home, Country Roads are absolutely wonderful and so much fun to look at. What a great way to introduce the music of John Denver to a child!
— Kids Reader Views – Max Aures (age 4) and Mom (September 2010)
