The Beatles (Getting to Know the World's Greatest Composers) [Paperback]

Mike Venezia (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 6 and up | Grade Level: 1 and up | Series: Getting to Know the World's Greatest Composers

The author/illustrator of the highly successful Getting to Know the World's Greatest Artists series lends his creative talents to another fun, informative series, this one featuring world-famous composers.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

[SERIES LAST REVIEWED IN BKL S 15 96, under Venezia, Mike. Gr. 2^-4.] --This text refers to the Library Binding edition.

Review

"A great way to prepare children for the pleasure of a museum visit or a concert." --This text refers to the Library Binding edition.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 6 and up
  
• Paperback: 32 pages
• Publisher: Children's Press(CT) (September 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0516261479
• ISBN-13: 978-0516261478
• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 7.9 x 0.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #212,347 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #17 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Children's Books > People & Places > Biographies > Musical
  • #41 in Books > Children's Books > Biographies > Musical
  • #92 in Books > Humor & Entertainment > Pop Culture > Beatles

More About the Author

Mike Venezia is the author of several nonfiction books for children from the Getting to Know the World's Greatest Artists series. Books

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Roll over Beethoven, the Beatles are Great Composers too, February 13, 2003

By 

Lawrance M. Bernabo (The Zenith City, Duluth, Minnesota) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Beatles (Getting to Know the World's Greatest Composers) (Paperback)

It is nice to see that along with Ludwig Van Beethoven, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, and Peter Tchaikovsky that author/illustrator Mike Venezia is also looking at 20th century types like Duke Ellington, George Gerswhin, Igor Stravinsky, and the Beatles for his Getting to Know the World's Greatest Composers series. In case the young readers who come across this book do not know, Venezia points out that from 1964 to 1970 the Beatles were the most popular musical group in the world. Unlike most of the other great composers Venezia looks at the Beatles never had any real musical training and were pretty much self taught. Venezia talks about the origins of rock 'n' roll and the influence of particular artists on the Beatles. He then provides early biographies for John, Paul, George and Ringo, with each of the Fab Four getting their own cartoon, before providing a brief history of the band.

The actual compositions of the Beatles are dealt with in only general terms. The only songs that get mentioned are "She Loves You," because of the cheery "yeah, yeah, yeah" part, Hello Goodbye" because there is a photo of them performing it, and the 40-second final piano chord of "A Day in the Life" from the "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band" album. Venezia does provide some basic music appreciation lessons talking about the Beatles experimentation with different kinds of instruments, bringing in musicians from symphony orchestras, and such. However, this is no substitute for actually listening to the group's music. Of course, once you start talking about great Beatles songs, where do you stop? Just have your young reader put on a Beatles album while they read the book.

The biographical sections on the early years of the four Beatles and their early days trying to make a name for themselves will prove of most interest to young readers. My only real complains about this volume would be that it really does not talk about the impact the Beatles had on popular culture, which was immense, and that except for the difference in Ringo's nose you cannot tell the Fab Four apart in Venezia's cartoons. I was sort of looking forward to better caricatures than this, to be honest.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars AND MAY I INTRODUCE TO YOU..., September 28, 2000

By 

BeatleBangs1964 (United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Beatles (Getting to Know the World's Greatest Composers) (Library Binding)

This is a book I would have given ANYTHING (within bounds of reason) for as a child. I love it! This is a delightful read that will hopefully introduce this next generation to the Beatles and the social and musical impact they had on the world. It is an excellent teaching tool for parents and educators.

I have always believed, from the time I was a very little girl, that the Beatles have set new standards in music. I think this book does an excellent job of introducing the act you've known for all these years to the next generation. The Beatles are timeless.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Terrific book for children, October 28, 2002

By 

Randa "BeatleGirl" (Owensboro, KY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Beatles (Getting to Know the World's Greatest Composers) (Paperback)

This book is a terrific, entertaining, concise history of the Beatles that is easy for children to read. Being a huge Beatles fan myself, I found the book covered all the bases without leaving too much out. I would recommend this book for any aspiring elementary music teacher.