While Angels Watch by Marni McGee, Tina Macnaughton (Illustrator)

From the Publisher

"Long ago, when the world was new, the angels had all the work to do," begins this quietly hopeful book. "But where did all those Angels go? Where are they now? Does no one know?" In this tender book, the animals tell how the Angels share our lives today. Told in gentle rhymes and illustrated with lovely detail, this book brings comfort to everyone -- that Angels are watching over each of us. A treasure.

Publishers Weekly

Are there angels here on Earth? The cuddly creatures of McGee's (Sleepy Me) gentle-hearted picture book believe so. Beginning with a history of sorts ("Long ago, when the world was new,/ The Angels all had work to do"), the melodic rhyming text describes some of the essential roles angels played in the creation of the world. A raft of animals then cites examples of angels' presence in contemporary times (" `The Angels are still here,' said Owl./ `They teach our babies how to sing./ They show us how to nest and fly,/ To sail the sky on silent wing' "). Macnaughton's (One Snowy Night) plushly textured paintings feature cozy images of animal families and unfettered landscapes. Throughout, the artist represents the angels' presence with a shimmering stream of silver-foil dots emanating from a winged white, gauzy shape on high. The novelty art and the comforting tenets here are likely to have broad appeal. Ages 3-up. (May) Copyright 2006 Reed Business Information.

Children's Literature

In four-line rhyming verses, the work of angels at creation is detailed. Then animals speculate whether there are still angels on earth. At creation angels named colors and taught dolphins how to swim. One verse states: "Some showed spiders how to spin/ And helped them hang their webs in trees./ The smallest Angels of them all/ Painted stripes on bumblebees." Other animals assert that angels are experienced now. Owl says that angels teach owl babies how to sing and fly. Calf explains that when he was lost, an angel showed him the way home. Cat says that he sees angels hover around children by day and guard children in bed at night. The colorful illustrations indicate the presence of angels by trails of silvery dots. The story offers children assurance of a caring presence in their lives.

Kirkus Reviews

A playful, rhyming text describes one interpretation of the mysterious influence of angels on the natural world, from choosing the colors of the dawn sky to showing spiders how to spin their webs. Other angelic accomplishments include teaching dolphins to swim, birds to fly and roosters to crow. The angels are shown on a few pages as ethereal, white shapes in the sky, trailing silvery speckles printed in metallic glitter. These silver highlights are shown sprinkled across each spread wherever the angelic influence is indicated, including a reference to angels singing at "a newborn baby's birth" and protecting two children asleep in their beds in a modern-day setting in the final spread. The large-format illustrations across double-page spreads are filled with glowing light and jeweled tones that complement the silvery special effects. Though the religious underpinnings of the story are a bit unclear, and the rhyming verses don't always scan, this effort does achieve a rather magical air, mainly due to the appealing illustrations. (Picture book. 3-7)

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