Product Description

In the streets and canals of Venice, Gabriella can hear nothing but sweet music. The drying laundry goes slap-slap, the church bells go ting-aling-ling, and the lire go jing-aling-ling. Soon, Gabriella is humming her way through town -- and everyone hears her song! Some find it sad, others smile when they hear it -- but none can forget the beautiful melody. Before long, a certain struggling composer is inspired by Gabriella's song -- and a beautiful symphony is born.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #641685 in Books
• Published on: 2001-04-01
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 40 pages

Features

• ISBN13: 9780689841750
• Condition: NEW
• Notes: Brand New from Publisher. No Remainder Mark.
• Click here to view our Condition Guide and Shipping Prices

From Publishers Weekly
"Delicate renderings of Venetian life set the stage for this heartwarming tale of a girl with a song in her heart that kindles emotion and inspiration in everyone who hears it," said PW in its Best Books citation. Ages 3-8.

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal
Grade 1-3?In Venice, the city of music, young Gabriella hears music in voices, water, boats, pigeons, the "slap-slap" of laundry drying, the "ting-aling-ling" of church bells, and her mother's voice. In Gabriella's heart, these sounds combine and become a song that she hums in the bakery. The baker hums it to a widow, who hums it to a gondolier, who plays it on his accordion. The music catches in the breeze, which spreads it all through the city?and into the room where the "brilliant composer Giuseppe Del Pietro" sits in museless frustration, unable to work on his newest symphony, scheduled for performance in a few weeks. Gabriella's tune, of course, becomes his inspiration, and he turns it into a magnificent symphony. Not only do the Venetians love the music, but they recognize it as Gabriella's song, and she, too, receives a standing ovation. Potter's flat ink, watercolor, and colored-pencil illustrations are somewhat reminiscent of Maira Kalman's work. A subdued palette transports readers to the streets of a city filled with old-world charm and perfectly complements the engaging text. Endpapers feature laundry and sheet music fluttering on clotheslines, and the back cover displays a map of Italy with Venice's location marked. A whimsical book for budding musicians, music teachers, or just about anyone looking for a good story.?Lisa Falk, Palos Verdes Library, CA
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Kirkus Reviews
Fleming (Madame Lagrande and Her So High, To the Sky, Uproarious Pompadour, 1996) celebrates music and its power to touch our lives. The setting is Venice, dazzlingly captured by Potter, in a palette of fresh colors and full of droll characterizations. Gabriella is walking home from the marketplace, and fashions from the flap of drying laundry, the jingle of coins, the ringing of church bells, and other sounds a little tune, which she hums at the baker's while buying a cannoli. The tune makes the baker's heart light, and he hums it, too. The widow Santucci stops in, hears the tune and becomes sad; nevertheless, she hums it on the way home, and the gondolier, overhearing her, plays it on the accordion. Thus the tune is passed throughout the city, evoking a variety of responses. To composer Giuseppe Del Pietro, who is experiencing a block just as a new symphony is due, the tune is heaven-sent, sweet music that he shapes into a great work of art. A disarmingly simple tale, this is inspiring and transporting. (Picture book. 3-8) -- Copyright ©1997, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.

Customer Reviews

EVERYTHING I WANT IN A BOOK FOR MY KIDS
This is such an enchanting, smart and magic little book. It has all the elements I look for in a book for the kids I read to. Through it kids can learn about another city (a quite a wonderful one at that), the power of music and the charm and love commen people of a town can provide for each other. I have read a lot of kids books and this one is really, really special.

Such a lovely book
There are so many elements that make this a truly lovely book. My daughter and I love Giselle Potter's illustration and when she is teamed with Candace Fleming they make the perfect combination. The storyline is original and interesting with Gabriella finding music in the sounds of everyday life. Her relationship with the people she meets each day and particularly her mother are loving, warm and sweet. And I really appreciate how Gabriella and her friends all have something to contribute and the composer takes their musicality and incorporates into his symphony - and they are thrilled! The language and repetition Fleming uses to describe the musical sounds of the neighbourhood are instantly recognisable and stimulating, encouraging little people to find their own "songs". The illustrations are divine - the colours so conjure up the light and antiquity of Italy and I find the rounded faces and bodies of Potter's Gabriella so appealing. Highly recommended, particularly for those parents and children who find pleasure in music and the gentle side of life. As with Agnes Caws this book provides an endearing and strong young girl heroine, interested in creativity, people and her environment.

A creative look at how musical composition is inspired ...
The opening lines of this book hooked me: "Ah, Venice. The Piazza San Marco. The Grand Canal. St. Mark's Cathedral." This is the way to inspire a child to look outside his neighborhood! Gabriella's Song is a wonderful, richly textured book about how music is inspired and passed from person to person. My 3-year old, a music lover, enjoyed this book on the first read!