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English Titles
TCHAIKOVSKY DISCOVERS AMERICA
Written in simple verse, this book introduces children to the concept of rhythm using everyday experiences and sounds. Pre-readers will enjoy the lyrical rhyme scheme, and beginner readers, the repetitive text. Rhythmical sound effects, articulated by the use of varied fonts, accompany the text at the bottom of each page. Reading these sound effects themselves is not only a fun game, but also an excellent musical exercise to teach simple rhythm patterns to young children. Teachers, parents and children can continue to expand the story with examples they create themselves. Barbara Hartmann's colourful, playful illustrations complete the fun experience of this book.
Imagine a bird that can speak, tell the future and answer questions! Gaspard, the violin maker rescued such a bird from certain death. The bird was young, small and dusty looking, except for a few gold flecks among its feathers. Gaspard, even though he was taken with the bird, decided to give it to the toll-keeper Matthias, who had a way with animals. Matthias had been fair and not charged Gaspard any tax for passage across the bridge with his cart of violins that he would sell at the market. As luck would have it, the bird turned out to be very special indeed! It had beautiful feathers and the magical power of telling the future. Matthias uses the bird for his own gain, and Gaspard can't bear to see the bird treated that way. Black-and-white sketches accompany this delightful story of the violin maker and his relationship with the bird from afar.
What does it really feel like to be a rock superstar? Bobby Spezzactena, "Spazz" to his friends, bears a striking resemblance to his idol, the famous rock star Billy T. Banko. To divert the press and screaming groupies, Spazz is hired to be Billy's double for a weekend. Spazz and his best friend Kevin imagine luxurious meals in the posh Ritz Hotel, and plenty of relaxation. Boy, are they wrong! In this action-packed novel, Spazz and Kevin, and their schoolmates Lauren (posing as a maid at the Ritz to get closer to her idol, the same Billy Banko) and Debbie, who is celebrating her birthday, are thrown into an unimaginably harrowing situation.They are kidnapped by three down-on-their-luck musicians who have no cash to record the requisite demo tapes. Without Spazz and his schoolmates, the musicians have no chance of fulfilling their dream of breaking into the music business. Filled with humour, crazy antics and believable dialogue, Weekend at the Ritz introduces the reader to the ups (and downs) of superstardom and the music industry. Young adults will enjoy the insights and excitement in this engrossing novel.
The judge orders Jonathan Aird to do one year of community service. Jonathan, a teenager in trouble with the law, completes his year of service in Nanuvik, an isolated Arctic settlement on Baffin Island. His uncle is in charge of the store, and Jonathan is sent to live with him. Jonathan has a gift for music and playing the piano, and as a require-ment of his service, he is responsible for developing a music program at the Nanuvik School. Life in Nanuvik is unlike anything that Jonathan has ever experienced before, and he finds the transition very difficult. The music helps him to know and understand the Inuit people, which in turn helps Jonathan understand himself. One can get a sense of life in the North, the traditions and music of the Inuit from the predicaments that Jonathan experiences. The action moves quickly and peaks with Jonathan and his friends caught in a dangerous brush with the forces of nature. Jonathan has to reach deep inside himself to discover his capabilities. An intriguing novel with wonderful descriptions of the North and the life there. |