As Glenn As Can Be

Ellis, Sarah. As Glenn As Can Be. Toronto: Groundwood Books, House of Anansi Press, 2022.

Glenn knows what he likes: fun, nature, seeing patterns, and playing piano. He also knows what he doesn’t like: bullies, feeling cold, going to school, and being around noisy people. So where is his favourite place to be? An empty concert hall, where he can play a song over and over and over again until it is just right. Brilliantly written by a prolific award-winning author and beautifully designed with additional information at the end, this biography of Canada’s most famous pianist is highly recommended for readers 6 years old and up.

Listen to Glenn Gould play The Goldberg Variations

Biographies of musicians

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Because

Willems, Mo. Because. New York: Hyperion Books For Children, 2019.

An encouraging story showing how we are all connected to each other, how one action by one person can lead to inspiration for others. Cheerful illustrations by Amber Ren help tell a story of Franz Schubert composing a symphony that leads to a young girl becoming a composer. The front endpaper shows Schubert’s Symphony No. 8 in B-Minor, while the back endpaper features Hilary Purrington’s The Cold, a piece composed especially for this picture book. The back flyleaf intriguingly relates the chain of events that led to the author’s and illustrator’s own careers.  A wonderful story for readers six to eleven-years-old, a discussion starter for teachers of middle school students. 

Listen to the The Cold and learn more about the creative ideas that led to this story HERE.

More stories about music and musicians

Ada’s Violin

Hood, Susan. Ada’s Violin: The Story of the Recycled Orchestra of Paraguay. New York: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, 2016. 

Ada lives in a poverty-stricken town that serves as the main garbage dump for the capital city of Paraguay. She – along with thousands of other residents – spend their days picking through the trash to find things to recycle and sell. This poignant and inspiring story tells how a man sent to teach safety practices decided to teach the children how to make musical instruments. The orchestra he formed has now performed around the world!  Dramatically illustrated by Sally Wern Comport, this true story is recommended for readers 7 years old and up. 

More stories from South America

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Will you still love me?

Zuppardi, Sam. Jack’s Worry. Somerville, Mass.: Candlewick Press, 2016.
Jack loves playing the trumpet. And he’s looking forward to his first concert. But then the worries start. What if he makes a mistake? What if his mother won’t love him anymore? A jaunty font and zany full-page illustrations help make this a picture book sure to reassure worriers of all ages.

More stories about musicians HERE

Note to parents: 

How can young adults believe that they have to cheat to please their parents?

But they do.
By far, the most common reason why middle school students cheat, I’ve noticed, is that they want to live up to their parents’ expectations. Not because they particularly care about getting high grades for themselves. Rarely because they want to impress their peers. They cheat because they can’t get high grades honestly and are afraid their parents will be disappointed. Once they are reassured that their parents will still love them…
“You will still love him even if he doesn’t get a high mark, right?” I ask the parent. In front of the child.
“Of course,” comes the puzzled reply.
“Well, this would be a good time to tell him.”
… once people are reassured that they are loved, everything changes. They relax. Smile. And start to enjoy learning. Everything changes.

Why is this picture book appropriate for readers of all ages?

It’s funny. And we all can use a laugh in life.

It speaks to the heart. And we all need reassurance once in a while.