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English Titles
Heartsong is a quaint story about culture, history and family roots. It's a bilingual book, English and...Gaelic, with a Cape Breton setting. The story begins with a man, his son and a spruce tree. While searching for the perfect tree from which to make a fiddle, father and son stop by a large spruce tree atop a hill. While resting on the tree, both father and son feel something beneath the bark. There is music within the tree. The spruce is cut, and when it has dried, the father carves it into a fiddle. The father plays it, the son plays it, and so it goes as the fiddle is passed down through the generations. Finally, a mother gives the instrument to her daughter who continues the magic of the fiddle. The fiddle playing marked good times such as ceilidhs and weddings, and solemn times such as people leaving home or people dying. And though the years pass by, the music within lives on.
Jeremy is on his way to the symphony with his family. His father is the conductor. Although Jeremy loves music and staying up late to watch his father, he's not looking forward to that inevitable question: "Are you going to be a conductor like your father?" Jeremy squirms uncomfortably before he meekly answers, "I don't know". Four times in one night, he is asked the dreaded question! Jeremy is proud of his father, and doesn't want to hurt his feelings, but deciding what to be when you grow up is a big decision - one he doesn't feel ready to make, until... The delightful ending to this story encourages children to pursue their dreams, and has a few good messages for adults as well.
The people of Kugel Valley were proud of their kugel (noodle pudding), their peaceful village, and especially of their fine klezmer band. This band played at many important events, such as weddings and bar mitzvahs. The Kugel Valley Klezmer Band had Benny on double bass, Yossi on clarinet, and Isaac on fiddle. Isaac wanted to retire from the band, but who could take his place? Shira, Yossi's 10-year-old daughter had watched Isaac play since babyhood. Isaac had seen her interest and made her a toy fiddle. He advised her to "practise, practise, practise". She practised secretly in the woods. But her father said young girls don't play in klezmer bands, and besides she had never had a lesson. So, Shira continued to pass the hat at performances, and Isaac continued to play fiddle. The band was scheduled for a Hanukkah party, but Isaac had such a bad cold that he could not play. At the Hanukkah party, people noticed the band had no fiddle player. The atmosphere was tense, when in rushed Shira with Isaac's fiddle. She began playing. The band raced to keep up, and everyone at the party, even the animals in the street, just had to dance. With her flying skirts and braids, the pictures of Shira entice us to hear her music and dance along.
On a beautiful spring day, hopeful, wary Burl Crow follows his abusive father through the verdant undergrowth of Northern Ontario. In a scene fraught with the potential for violence, the two characters are interrupted by an unexpected and wondrous sight. A grand piano hanging from a low-flying helicopter appears in the hot blue May sky and sets the tone for the rest of the novel. Burl's flight from home, his encounters with a world-famous pianist and others, his search for independence and self-realization are described with lyrical, fast-paced sensibility in this novel which celebrates the optimism and potential of youth.
David Baird is a troubled teenager whose only gift seems to be the ability to play a mean guitar in a rock band. David certainly wasn't winning any awards in an ongoing battle with his father. After his mother died, David moved from Canada to Wales to be with him, but it wasn't working out. In frustration after a fight with his father, David takes a friend's motorcycle on a ride in the middle of the night. Strange things happen... An accident! Then a completely different world unfolds as David is thrown back in time to the sixth century. How could it be? David meets Bear, a boy about his age, who helps David by taking him to his village. Recovering from his unseen injuries is only the first step. How can he get home? And until then, how can he contribute to village life so that he can stay? He knows nothing of the villagers' ways, and has neither the physical strength nor the skill to wield a sword or spear. Luckily, David shows his musical talent with a harp, and the village minstrel takes David on as his apprentice. This is a wonderful story of David's self discovery through the music and teachings of the minstrel, Bear, and the other villagers. Will he make it back?
This is a traditional Russian folk tale, beautifully told by Celia Barker Lottridge. "Long ago in the city of Novgorod there lived a young man called Sadko who was poor in everything but music." The story begins with Sadko playing his harp at weddings and feasts and singing of the forests and lakes that surround his village. Then one day when Sadko is playing his music on the shore of a beautiful lake, the waters begin to gush and swirl. Before Sadko's eyes a giant man arises from the waters. It is the Tsar of the Sea, the ruler of the oceans and the seas. He is very pleased with Sadko's music and wants to thank him by giving him a great treasure. Dumbfounded, Sadko takes the treasure and makes the promise to return to the water to entertain the Tsar in his palace under the sea. However, as the years pass, Sadko fails to keep his promise. Then, one stormy night when Sadko is traveling by ship, the time comes for him to fulfill the promise he made. Harvey Chan's dark and mysterious illustrations are the perfect complement to this mystical folk tale. His swirling use of colour and artistic style makes readers feel as if they are under the seas, swirling with the mermaids!
This book introduces the reader to a myriad of musical instruments through the alphabet. From common to unusual, modern to ancient, musical instruments from various genres of music and cultures are described. A title in the Alphabasics Series, which covers historical, social and artistic themes, this book includes a "Words to Know" glossary, and an index. Illustrated with accurate detailed drawings of instruments, this book would be a useful teaching aid. The many photographs of children playing the instruments demonstrates Crabtree's commitment to producing gender- and race-equitable publications. A valuable, educational, yet enjoyable reference book for middle school. There is much for children to explore in this book time and time again.
Nathaniel, an only child, lives on the farm with his parents. They work hard, and there's not much time for rest or play. When a mysterious stranger gives Nathaniel the gift of a violin, his father doesn't see the use of it, and dismisses it without much thought. Nathaniel makes an awful noise with the violin, and there's no money for lessons. He practises and practises, and slowly, as his playing gets better, something magical begins to happen on the farm. This story, told in a modern folk-tale style, exemplifies the joy that music can bring to everyday life, and how this gift can be shared and passed on. Marlene Watson's bright and cheery folk-art illustrations are the perfect accompaniment to Lohan's tale.
Barbara Nickel has fashioned a riveting biography about the life of Nannerl, the older sister of child prodigy Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, and her position in the Mozart family. As a girl, Nannerl is not taught to play the violin or the organ, since these are reserved for serious performers, boys and men. As well, her father does not take her composing seriously. Despite the obstacles, Nannerl perseveres, and demonstrates her determination in fulfilling her wish. The lives of the famous Mozart children, and their three-year grand tour of the continent are described through fictional narrative, letters to Nannerl's close friend Katherl, and excerpts from Nannerl's actual diaries of the events. An extensive glossary and bibliography provide more details for keen readers. Many aspects of musicianship are revealed: the structure and composition of a symphony, the playing of various instruments and the niceties of performing for the courts of Europe. Nannerl's wish to compose a symphony, and subsequent performance of it to an astonished audience, may provide young people with the inspiration to fulfill their own musical dreams.
This book is part of the First Novels, the New Series. There are 10 chapters, but each one has only three or four pages of text accompanied by a black-and-white picture. Budding readers will be enticed to complete a chapter because of its brevity. Robyn, the central character, is an aspiring singer. However, singing in her apartment is out, because of the possibility of waking the Kelly twins next door. Music class at school is for music appreciation, not singing. One day, though, Robyn agrees to sing for the next music class. She has one week to decide on a song and to practise. The sick and crying Kelly twins slow down her search and practice. But they also inspire her to find a solution to her dilemma. The quirky pictures portray Robyn as the unique character she is. | ||||||||||||||||||||
