Martin the Guitar
Sep 16, 2012
Martin the Guitar
Author: Harry Musselwhite
Illustrator: Brian Barr
Hardcover: 32 pages
Publisher: Centerstream Publications; Har/Com edition (June 29, 2012)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1574242806
ISBN-13: 978-1574242805
Description:
This charming children's story will delight music lovers of all ages. Little Martin the Guitar lives in Mr. Beninato's Music Store in New York City. He wants so much to be adopted and taken home by a fine musician, but the other larger instruments in the shop are always picked before him. Every night after Mr. Beninato goes home, all the instruments play for each other and compete for a place of honor in the shop. The large and loud guitar known as Big D always wins the contest. One night, Strada the Violin decides to step out of her special case and help Martin win the contest, and the two perform a duet that leaves the other instruments looking on with awe and admiration. Join Martin and all his friends for a CD of music from Mr. Beninato's Music Store! Performed on guitars, mandolins, banjos, and more, hear songs from the book entitled Strada's Waltz, Mr. Beninato's Music Shop, Martin's Lullaby, and six more tunes made to bring a smile to your face and to set your toes tapping!
Idgie Says:
For a slim children's book the story is nice and hearty. By this I mean that the pages are filled with words, not just a short paragraph and an illustration. It could easily fill two bedtime reading episodes.
The book tells the story of the Martin the guitar, always left behind,not picked for group songs and somewhat bullied by the bigger, more popular instruments.
It's a story about believing in yourself and I don't think you can start those lessons too early.
A good story with an important lesson - and a bonus CD of the music played in the nighttime concerts the instruments put on!
I would say the publisher is correct in that the wording - for a child reading this himself - would be around 6 to 8 years old, but the story itself is more of the 3 to 6 year level. A nice addition to a child's bookshelf.
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Reviewed by Idgie. If you would like to have the Dew review a book, please contact me at dewonthekudzu@gmail.com
