Valentine and His Violin

PreS-Gr 1–This oversize picture book depicts the journeys of a young violinist who, despite his instructor’s praise, sets teeth on edge with his playing. Crowds cringe at his Ode to Joy so he’s ousted from the castle. An exhausted workhorse flees in fear at the Allegretto. Valentine’s Water Music relieves a wolf’s constipation, and Waltz of the Flowers rescues a knight from a dragon attack. Though his Marche Militaire saves the knight’s castle from a besieging army, readers can’t help but gulp as Valentine’s story ends with him on stage in front of the royal family. Pen-and-watercolor spreads include details and palettes to foster each mood. Modern narration juxtaposes the historical backdrop. Take the opportunity to play the named musical pieces in the background to make this story even more unusual and approachable.–Gay Lynn Van Vleck, Henrico County Library, Glen Allen, VA