The Man with the Violin

by Kathy Stinson, Dusan Petricic (Illustrator)

Overview

Who is playing that beautiful music in the subway? And why is nobody listening? This gorgeous picture book is based on the true story of Joshua Bell, the renowned American violinist who famously took his instrument down into the Washington D.C. subway for a free concert. More than a thousand commuters rushed by him, but only seven stopped to listen for more than a minute. In The Man with the Violin, bestselling author Kathy Stinson has woven a heart-warming story that reminds us all to stop and appreciate the beauty that surrounds us. Dylan is someone who notices things. His mom is someone who doesn’t. So try as he might, Dylan can’t get his mom to listen to the man playing the violin in the subway station. With the beautiful music in his head all day long, Dylan can’t forget the violinist, and finally succeeds in making his mother stop and listen, too. Vividly imagined text combined with illustrations that pulse with energy expertly demonstrate the transformative power of music. With a postscript explaining Joshua Bell’s story, and afterword by Joshua Bell himself.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781554515653
Publisher:	Annick Press, Limited
Publication date:	09/01/2013
Pages:	36
Sales rank:	548,445
Product dimensions:	10.00(w) x 8.00(h) x 0.62(d)
Lexile:	AD620L (what's this?)
Age Range:	6 - 7 Years

About the Author

Born in Toronto many years ago, Kathy sorted mail, waited tables, and taught elementary school before finally figuring out that what she really wanted to do was write. As well as writing picture books, novels, short stories, biography, and other non-fiction, Kathy has led writing workshops across Canada and in Liberia. She's also a regular volunteer reader and technician at the CNIB Recording Studio. She lives in a small town outside Toronto with her partner and their dog.

Editorial Reviews

In January of 2007, over a thousand people heard me play my violin in the L’Enfant Plaza Metro Station in Washing­ton, D.C. But very few actually listened,” writes musician Joshua Bell in a postscript to a picture book based on that event. According to Bell, a few children tried to stay and listen, but were hustled along by their parents—which is exactly what happens to a (fictional) boy in this story. “Dylan was someone who noticed things,” writes Stinson (Red Is Best). Petricic (Mr. Zinger’s Hat) provides a wonderful visual representation of Dylan’s attentiveness as boy and mother dash through the dull, gray metro station. White contrails streak behind them, and Dylan’s highlights colorful objects and people that have caught his eye (his mother’s contrail, meanwhile is blank). Swirls of colors show how Bell’s music enchants Dylan, and at times the boy is literally born aloft by the music he hears and remembers. In a world of sounds that aren’t always as pleasant as a Stradivarius, Stinson and Petricic remind readers young (and especially old) to stop and listen to the arpeggios. Ages 5–8. (Sept.)

Publishers Weekly

IndieFab Awards Finalist

Foreword

Stinson's melodious descriptions and Petricic's colourful swirls seem to envelop the reader, captivating them just like the music captivates Dylan.

Readerly, National Reading Campaign - Jen Bailey

The Man With the Violin--a beautiful new children's book worth cherishing this season--is based on a true story.

Parade - Vi-An Nguyen

This important picture book will remind each of us to enjoy and savor our surroundings.

National Parenting Publications Award Gold Winner

This book allows children and adults alike to appreciate little day-to-day wonders, to find solace in a rushed world, and to discover the joys of music.

ABQLA Bulletin (Quebec Library Association)

There's a lot to see in here--for your child and you, both.

Simcoe County - Terri Schlichenmeyer

This book is a celebration of music and a great reminder to take the time to appreciate beauty that surrounds us. An interesting account of the real event is provided at the back. This was such an interesting story and one that I can see would be the starting point for some excellent class discussions. I can't wait to share this with my students. Love it!

Readingpowergear.com

I want to read it over and over again. I want for others to read it. I want for schools and libraries to use it to teach music appreciation. I want it to get attention, lots of attention, because that's what it deserves.

Reading and Sharing

This is a phenomenal book.

goodreads.com

The drawings almost dance off the page.

Cozy Little Book Journal - Mary Lavers

In the hands of such skilful creators, who have many books to their credit, this captivating tale is a beautiful balance between a simple but powerful text and illustrations that are full of vitality and rhythm.

CM Magazine - Reesa Cohen

A brilliant portrayal of the sensitivities of children and the sad loss of that wonder by most adults... [In] 2007, [Joshua] Bell played his 1713 Stradivarius for transit goers for 45 minutes. Only 7 of over a thousand people stopped to watch...[but] every single time a child walked past, he or she tried to stop and watch. And every single time, a parent scooted the kid away. Kathy Stinson takes this astounding demographic and tells the story of a child who becomes enthralled by the music that he hears as his mother pulls him along on her way to work... Only when he hears the same music on the radio can Dylan get his mother's attention and take her along on his magical musical ride... Kathy Stinson's simple but powerful representation [is a] convincing message of the capacity of music to enrich our lives and the wisdom of children that is too often and too easily disregarded.

CanLit for Little Canadians - Helen K

This compelling story has a clear message for young and old, and features an inspiring young talent as a role model. It also provides the possibility of an enriched read aloud experience thanks to the links provided for musical accompaniment. The Man with the Violin captures the reader's imagination just as the violinist's music enthralls its young protagonist. This story reminds us that there is much in life to appreciate, if we can just pay attention.

Canadian Children's Book News - Robin Sales

Here's a much-needed reminder that we all need to slowwwwwwwwwww down.

Smithsonian BookDragon - Terry Hong

I think it's very important that we all pay attention to this wonderful book!

Sal's Fiction Addiction - Sally Bender

There's plenty to ponder in this melodious tale. It's a story that's bound to get kids thinking about the importance of listening. And, of course, the power of music.

Book Page - Julie Hale

10/01/2013
K-Gr 2—World-renowned violinist Joshua Bell began playing at the age of 4 and performed at Carnegie Hall at 17. On January 12, 2007, he accepted a challenge from a Washington, DC, newspaper reporter to play at a train station dressed like an ordinary street musician. Despite his expertise, he was largely ignored, except supposedly by children who wanted to stop and listen but were rushed along by impatient adults. In this fictionalized account, a young boy who is captivated by the music begs his mother to stop, but is literally yanked along. The music stays with the boy all day, and later, back home, when he hears the same music on the radio, he is able to get his mother not only to stop and listen but also to dance with him. The art reinforces the text nicely. The first spread reads, "Dylan was someone who noticed things. His mom was someone who didn't." The illustration features a man reading a newspaper upside down, a man whose suit jacket is misbuttoned, a cat chewing on a dog's bone, etc. Dylan sees it all, but Mom's line of vision is only blank white space. This is a fine reminder of the old adage to stop and smell the roses, and a good impetus for a discussion of using one's powers of observation.—Grace Oliff, Ann Blanche Smith School, Hillsdale, NJ

School Library Journal

★ 2013-08-15
A Stradivarius on the subway? This Canadian import tells the story of violinist Joshua Bell's quirky experiment. An imposing woman in a fur coat and matching hat pulls a little boy down the street behind her. "Dylan was someone who noticed things. His mom was someone who didn't." The colors in the street scene behind them are muted grays, except for a thick stripe running across the page to the back of Dylan's head. Brightly colored objects against a white background fill it. Mom has a stripe as well, of blank white. In the crowded train station, Dylan hears music; its swirls of color wend through the scene. Dylan follows the sound to a man in a blue baseball cap, energetically playing the violin. Mom pulls him away, but the power of the music lingers in his mind. Later, at home, he's amazed to hear the violinist on the radio. An announcer explains that famed violinist Joshua Bell played in the subway today, yet "few people listened for even a minute." Dylan runs to show Mom how deeply the music has affected him. He soars around the room in curly colored waves, riding the music. Then they listen together, and they dance! Bell himself recalls the incident that inspired the book in a postscript. Imaginatively illustrated and beautifully written, this offbeat ode to the power of music is a winner. (author's note) (Picture book. 5-9)

Kirkus Reviews