The Dance of the Violin
Description
Even Joshua Bell makes mistakes, but there is always a second chance.
As a young student of the violin, Joshua Bell learns about an international competition to be held in Kalamazoo, Michigan. He chooses a piece of music, which his teacher suggests may be too difficult, but Joshua is determined. It鈥檚 a piece of music he loves. At the competition, Joshua experiences the usual jitters. Once his name is called, he strides to the stage and begins to play, but almost immediately, he makes a mistake. As he is about to walk off the stage, he asks the judges if could try again. They agree, and this time, the playing is impeccable.
Du拧an Petricic鈥檚 brilliant illustrations full of movement and color, capture the sounds made by Joshua鈥檚 violin, from the missed notes to the swirling, uplifting strains of the perfectly executed piece. Children will readily empathize with Joshua鈥檚 misstep, but they will also learn that there is always a second chance.
This book is the follow up to Kathy Stinson and Dusan Petricic鈥檚 multi-award鈥搘inning The Man with the Violin. Among the more than 20 honors and awards that book received are: TD Children鈥檚 Book of the Year National Parenting Publications Award Best Book List, Kirkus Reviews White Ravens Collection, International Youth Library, Munich 100 Best Canadian Kids鈥� Books, Today鈥檚 Parent Magazine
Reviews
鈥淩eaders feel the joy that music brings to this young boy, and envision it through the mixed media artwork so brilliantly created by an accomplished artist.鈥�
- Sal鈥檚 Fiction Addiction, 07/30/17
鈥淎 picture book that hits all the right notes.鈥�
- National Reading Campaign, 06/27/17
鈥淪hould give heart to any child trying to master an art.鈥�
- New Jersey Online, 05/10/17
鈥淐hildren will readily empathize with Joshua's misstep, but they will also learn the value of being given a second chance.鈥�
- Music & Vision, 04/27/17
鈥淸Petri膷i膰鈥檚] deft illustrations . . . lift the story far beyond the text and make the reader appreciate the impact of art.鈥�
- Quill & Quire, 01/17
鈥淎 joyful reminder that perseverance pays off.鈥�
- Kirkus Reviews, 01/15/17
鈥淧etri膷i膰 once again uses bright swoops and streaks of color to visualize the sensory joy that music can elicit as Stinson鈥檚 direct writing underscores the rewards of dedication to one鈥檚 art.鈥�
- Publishers Weekly, 02/20/17
鈥淎n original picture book.鈥�
- Booklist, 03/10/17
鈥淢agical realism is at its best in this delightful picture book . . . An excellent addition to most collections.鈥�
- School Library Journal, 04/17
鈥淎 picture book to remember.鈥�
- Canadian Children鈥檚 Book News, Spring/17
鈥淐hildren will readily empathize with Joshua鈥檚 misstep, but they will also learn the value of being given a second chance.鈥�
- National Federation of Music Clubs Magazine, Autumn/17
鈥淒elightful illustrations, and a story with a great message about perseverance.鈥�
- Violinist, 12/01/17
鈥淎 joyous story about music and persistence.鈥�
- Youth Services Book Review, 11/12/19