The Man with the Violin {Children's Book Review}

I did receive a free copy of this book for the sole purpose to write a review. This did not affect my thoughts on the book or influence a more positive review.

My Review:

Such a fun book for little readers as well as adults. As a parent myself, I enjoyed this book specifically because it reminded me to stop and enjoy the world. The world we live in is vast and awe inspiring for children...and as an adult we can quickly by pass the wonders and splendors right in front of us. I find it quite a keeper of a book, and one that I would want to keep in our personal library. The illustration is entertaining for both child and adult. And what is more, I feel like the illustrations tell the story in and of themselves!  The artwork by Dušan Petričić was perfect, meaningful in various ways, and fun. Petričić captures what Author Stinson writes in words. I love it!

In short, Another must have and one I personally do not mind reading over and over again.

A little bit about the book:

We find a child whipped about and speedily following after his mother.  What catches his eye are ordinary things, but he observes more than his mother.  Along the way to the train, he is mesmerized by the beautiful sound coming from a man playing the violin.  Surrounded by passersby the only person who seems to appreciate the sound and the music, is the boy.


Publisher's Description

Who is playing that beautiful music in the subway? And why is nobody listening?

On January 12, 2007, the world-famous violinist Joshua Bell took part in an experiment conducted by the Washington Post. What would happen if Bell played his violin in a subway station? Would anyone stop to listen? Dressed as an ordinary street musician and with his priceless Stradivarius in hand, Bell played for 43 minutes in the L’Enfant Plaza Station in Washington, D.C. Over 1,000 busy commuters rushed past. Only seven stopped to listen for more than a minute. Many children had wanted to stop, but an adult inevitably rushed them along. Inspired by this event, author Kathy Stinson imagines what a child who had wanted to stop might have experienced. From this emerged the lovely story ofThe Man with the Violin.

When young Dylan hears the beautiful music, he tries to get his mother to stop and listen, but like everyone else rushing past, she is focused on catching the train. The strains of the music linger in his head all day long until that evening, when he hears the same music being played on the radio. The announcer reveals who the violinist was and why he was playing in the subway station. As Dylan is swept up again by the gorgeous sound, his mother finally stops and listens too. 

Award-winning illustrator Dušan Petričić eagerly embraced the challenge of rendering Stinson’s lyrical text in a way that would capture Dylan’s emotions while interpreting the sounds he heard. With his skillful use of color and imaginative depiction of all the sounds in the subway station, Petričić succeeds in providing the perfect match for the poignant words. Together, Stinson and Petričić have created a picture book classic that reminds us all to open our eyes and ears to discover the beauty around us.

A short biography of Joshua Bell, a recap of the story that inspired this book, and a postscript by Joshua Bell enhance this wonderful tribute to the power of music.

Enjoy this Video about the Book:

Flowers by Number: Children's Book Review

Flowers By Number a Children's Book

 

Perfect for her Age Level:

My daughter is at an age where she is inquisitive about the little details I miss.  She is fascinated with everything that grows, crawls and moves.  She pauses in midwalk to examine flowers and the grass and the creepy crawlies.  She has no fear of worms, and delights in picking dandelions and weeds.  It is amazing that at her age, 32 months (almost 3, YIKES!) how far she has already come.  

I was delighted to be able to review Flowers by Number because this book fits her level of curiosity and level of learning.  There is a clear way to count flowers.  Visually you have the actual number bold and up top for easy identification.  And the name big and bold for a finger to run across it while saying its name.  After reading the plant’s common name little fingers and eyes have easy access to plants or flowers below to count.  I think this is one of the reasons that make Flowers by Number a really great counting book that stands above the rest.  My daughter is almost three and even at this age she really enjoys this book.

  

 Our book came through the mail, carefully wrapped in brown paper wrapping.  My daughter likened it to a special present. 

The pictures are eye catching, bold, and colorful.  The whole feel of the book with its heavy pages and deep rich tones of colors impress on me the word “quality”.  

Educational and Fun:

It’s laid out perfectly for both mom and the young pupil.

I feel that it is a welcomed gold mine for learning!  The illustrations are both beautifully done and are accurate making it easy for children to familiarize themselves with plants as they stomp through their own backyards or woods.  This book has made it easy for me to teach my daughter about plants growing around us.  I have to admit I became interested in learning about the different flora native to the North West. 

Local Local Local:

Written by David Shapiro and beautifully illustrated by Haley Vair.  What makes me especially excited about this book is that both David and Haley are local to the Portland Area.  We visit Portland quite frequently, and have driven down and gotten lost a few times down Stark Street where Craigmore Creations publishes books.  It just kind of makes one proud to have a book that is published locally.

About David Shapiro (info from their website):

President | David R. Shapiro David R. Shapiro is the founder of Craigmore Creations. Entrepreneur, entertainer and naturalist, David earned his BA in Natural History and Creative Writing from Prescott College. He is a student of nature through the Old World lens of natural history, which emphasizes a general knowledge of all aspects of the natural world. His heroes in the field are Alexander von Humboldt, Meriwether Lewis, and Annie Montague Alexander. As an author, David has been inspired by the imagination of his two children and has focused on writing for youth since 2008. Prior to that he wrote time travel adventures and poetry for adults. David lives in Portland, but travels often to be a part of the rest of the world. Read David’s Blog.

 Love what you see?  You can purchase Flowers by Number and browse other books published by Craigmore Creations on their online website.  


Price: $14.99
ISBN: 978-0-9844422-8-7
Size: 9 x 9
Format: Hardcover
Pages: 32 Full color, illustrated pages
Category: Children/Flowers & Plants; Concepts/Counting & Numbers
Age: 4 and up

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 Currently we are reading and reading and reading.  We visit the Library almost every week, and read at least two books before bed time.  In the car she brings a favorite book.  Waiting meals she is usually browsing a book.  She reads to Rudy our dog.  She reads while on the potty.   She enjoys reading.  I am proud to have my very own book worm in the form of a little girl.  She is a sponge and is Just soaking it in!

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Disclosure : I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising