Title: Frederico, the Mouse Violinist
Author: Mayra Calvani
Illustrations: K.C. Snider
Publisher: Guardian Angel Publishing Inc.
ISBN: 978-1-61633-114-6; 1616331143 Paperback
eBook ISBN: 13: 978-1-61633-125-2; 1616331259
Frederico, the Mouse Violinist is an absolutely wonderful children's picture book. Through a delightful story, the author teaches about the world's most famous violin maker, Antonio Stradivari, along with various parts of the violin.
But, what has a mouse to do with Stradivari and violins? Well, Calvani cleverly weaved a story that has Frederico living in the home where Stradivari creates his masterpieces.
Loving the violin, the mouse wished he could play. At night while the master slept, Frederico would play among the violins and move the bow across the strings, making sweet sounds. Hearing the music and seeing Frederico's appreciation for the violin, Stradivari created a special tiny violin for the mouse.
Adding dimension to the story are full page illustrations that are vibrant and fanciful, making Frederico, the Mouse Violinist an engaging, kids-will-love-it picture book. The book also provides information on Stradivari; a glossary for words related to the violin, such as bridge, peg, and scroll; and two activity pages. It is an enjoyable and fun tool that parents and teachers can use to introduce the violin to young children.
I happen to love the sound of the violin, cello, and other stringed instruments. My appreciation for music came from my musical family, as well as school music education programs. In 7th and 8th grades my school offered violin instruction which I happily accepted.
Research from the 1950s through to today demonstrates the benefits music has for children and even societies. Here are some of the benefits children can reap from music education:
Increases memorization capacity
Improves reasoning capacity and comprehension
Helps children learn and/or improve time management and organizational skills
Helps develop team skills, as well as math skills
Helps improve coordination and concentration
Is a universal language and encourages self-expression
Aside from the above mentioned benefits, you never know what will spark a child's appreciation and love for music, it could be hearing a song, seeing musicians play, or learning about various instruments and their creation.
About the Author: Mayra Calvani is an award-winning author who writes fiction and nonfiction for children and adults. She's had over 300 reviews, interviews, stories, and articles published in print and online. She also writes book reviews for The New York Journal of Books.
About the illustrator: K.C. Snider is an award-winning Oregon artist. She utilizes a number of styles and subjects, including oil paintings, lithographs, and pencil drawings. Her artwork has won a number of awards including the Snaffle Bit Award and the Pioneer Award.
For more on writing, ghostwriting, freelance writing, and promotion visit: http://karencioffi.com/ While you're there, be sure to sign up for Karen's FREE monthly newsletter, A Writer's World; you'll get TWO FREE e-books on writing and marketing in the process.
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