It's Easy! All You Need Is Love by John Lennon and Paul McCartney

Bears are known to be a bit grumpy when they emerge from hibernation, and this rumpled bear is no exception. Melting snow is making chilly puddles all around. Bah!

But what's that sound?

It's a happy bluebird whose song seems to call forth the spring itself. Trees begin budding and bright flowers push up out of the muddy fields.

The bluebird perches on Bear's head and offers him a freshly picked flower and then leads him through the landscape.

LOVE, LOVE, LOVE!

ALL YOU REALLY NEED IS LOVE!

And as Bear and Bird make their way down the road, spring unfolds before them and a joyful throng assembles as the parade progresses to a happy "happening" in the park.

NOWHERE YOU CAN BE

THAT ISN'T WHERE YOU'RE MEANT TO BE!

Altogether, now, everyone:

LOVE IS ALL YOU NEED!

In a sweet tribute to fellow-feeling and spring joy, the lyrics to Lennon and McCartney's anthem to love, so familiar to Baby Boomers and Beatles fans, becomes the lively rhyming text to All You Need Is Love, illustrated with great charm and visual humor by noted picture book artist, Mark Rosenthall. Love may not be all we need in these times, but it is what we need for sure, love for life, love for our lovely world, and love for each other. School Library Journal sums it up: "The illustrations are as inspiring as the lyrics, with bright rainbow colors, and lighthearted, animated characters. The diversity of human characters is to be appreciated, and the change of setting as the parade marches on adds interest and intrigue. VERDICT A cultural must-have for all well-rounded library collections."