A review by lisavegan
Handel Who Knew What He Liked by M.T. Anderson

4.0

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.