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3.98 AVERAGE
3.98 AVERAGE
This is an engrossing and entertaining biography of Handel, and it’s very sophisticatedly told given that this is a children’s picture book. My favorite parts were learning the background of how and why and under what conditions various musical pieces were composed, music I’ve heard and would recognize. I will say that at the beginning I couldn’t help thinking there is a very fine line between being a brat and being determined and knowing one’s own mind, and how it was a good thing Handel was as talented as he was, and he does seem to have had a rather difficult personality, but I was able to appreciate who he was and what he accomplished. In the back of the book, there is a birth to death chronology of Handel’s life, a discography list which I think would be better left out as it’s so abbreviated, and a for further reading list that concentrates on books for adults. Handel’s life and musical career is related with both seriousness and humor. The illustrations are full page size and impressive, and they definitely help keep the reader focused on the narrative. I think that readers who are familiar with the music mentioned will have extra appreciation for this book.
informative
lighthearted
medium-paced
Well, we borrowed this book from the library, renewed it twice (that's the allocation), borrowed it again (under another of the children's cards), renewed it twice, borrowed it again (ditto), and finally finished it. And no, it's not a big book. Not at all. And no, it isn't one of those books that you have to force-feed yourself to finish. On the contrary, we could have enjoyed it together (that's me and the 3 grandchildren) in one sitting. However, we wouldn't have learnt anything lasting if that had been the case.
So, what we did with this book was a great homeschool unit - we did history and geography and music appreciation and arithmetic and mapping and drawing and writing and virtual tours - and they "really liked Handel". And I got all that from finding this book quite by chance.
The book is written in an engaging style. It has enough about the personality of Handel to get children interested, and it has a lovely wealth of facts. We also enjoyed the illustrations.
So, what we did with this book was a great homeschool unit - we did history and geography and music appreciation and arithmetic and mapping and drawing and writing and virtual tours - and they "really liked Handel". And I got all that from finding this book quite by chance.
The book is written in an engaging style. It has enough about the personality of Handel to get children interested, and it has a lovely wealth of facts. We also enjoyed the illustrations.
Favorite quote:
This story is almost certainly not true, but it is a good story nonetheless.
This story is almost certainly not true, but it is a good story nonetheless.
informative
lighthearted
fast-paced
I knew Handel was German, and a British transplant. I didn't know how long he struggled to find HIS genre...not opera, which he tried. But oratorio. Beautiful voices and instruments but without the drama and sets and costumes. Just people making amazing, moving music.
A great look at how to follow your dream, but be willing to adjust and keep looking for new facets OF your dream.
Another one that would fit easily into the secondary classroom...
A great look at how to follow your dream, but be willing to adjust and keep looking for new facets OF your dream.
Another one that would fit easily into the secondary classroom...