heisereads's review against another edition
3.0
I appreciate the message, design and depth of detail in this book, though I'm not sure how kids would respond, and I think it's too lengthy for a read aloud. Appreciate the back matter, especially the author's detailing of how she used primary and secondary source materials for the information on each spread in the whole book. Good mentor for research. I also liked the musical deduction terms used to evoke mood on each spread.
stenaros's review against another edition
4.0
Read for Librarian Book Group
Here's a story of how the piano came to be. It's full of interesting details and those slightly messy, brightly colored illustrations that I enjoy.
Here's a story of how the piano came to be. It's full of interesting details and those slightly messy, brightly colored illustrations that I enjoy.
jshettel's review against another edition
5.0
Riveting picture boom biography/historical account of the development of the piano and its creator, Bartolomeo Cristofori. I didn’t know any of this history and the backmatter and research notes are equally fantastic. Loved the piano terms infused throughout the illustrations. Perfect for all music teachers.
calistareads's review against another edition
4.0
Bartolomeo Cristofori invented the Piano. This book is a history text told as story. It is very steeped in history and they do a very good job of making this a story and not a history.
The Art is very colorful and kinetic. Vibrant. Art as a dance.
The author did their research and listed quotes at the bottom of the page from texts and records from the time. This is historically accurate. Honestly, I did not know this history very well and I did learn quite a bit from this book. It's a quick way to get the basic facts. So I enjoyed the story myself.
My niece was interested in this and marveled that there was a time when people didn't have pianos. Then she wanted to know what a harpsicord sounded like. I call that a win.
The Art is very colorful and kinetic. Vibrant. Art as a dance.
The author did their research and listed quotes at the bottom of the page from texts and records from the time. This is historically accurate. Honestly, I did not know this history very well and I did learn quite a bit from this book. It's a quick way to get the basic facts. So I enjoyed the story myself.
My niece was interested in this and marveled that there was a time when people didn't have pianos. Then she wanted to know what a harpsicord sounded like. I call that a win.
melaniegaum's review against another edition
5.0
This book was great! I played the piano growing up and worked in a museum with a harpsichord, so I loved learning about the history of the instruments and the piano's creator. I read all the research notes at the end and even went to the suggested links to listen to harpsichord music.
maidmarianlib's review
5.0
Stunning use of primary source research with quotes from the research added enjoyed the way musical directions made the headings for pages and sections, really solid and well thought out information and the illustrations are fun too.
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