The Boy and the Spell (Musical Stories series) [Hardcover]

Maurice Ravel (Author), Sidonie-Gabrielle Colette (Author), Pegi Deitz Shea (Author), Serena Riglietti (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 7 and up | Grade Level: 2 and up | Series: Musical Stories series

In this enchanting story based on the famous opera L’Enfant et les Sortileges (The Child and the Spell), stunning illustrations and playful language will captivate young children while also introducing them to classical music. When Thomas’ math problems give him trouble, he lets out a wild tantrum, ripping apart his favorite book, knocking over his clock, and overturning his tea and cake. But when he plops down into his favorite armchair, the chair decides it has had enough of the boy’s bad behavior. It blows Thomas into a strange place in time where Thomas comes face-to-face with the very objects he just broke.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

The second offering in the Musical Stories series, which began with Prokofiev's The Love for Three Oranges (2006), this picture book tells the story from the opera L'Enfant et les Sortileges, which features music by Ravel and a libretto by Colette. Frustrated by his math homework, Thomas throws a tantrum. He tears his books, rips the wallpaper, smashes dishes, and even terrorizes his caged squirrel. Suddenly, the objects in his bedroom rise up in revolt. His armchair blows him into another world, where Thomas, now smaller than a spoon, is confronted by strangely transformed versions of the creatures and things he had mistreated. After a surreal interlude, an apology paves the path back home. Written with sensitivity to imagery and the sounds of words, the text reads well. Italian illustrator Riglietti contributes a series of fanciful, dramatic paintings, outlining figures in fine strokes of black ink. Mainly of interest to children who have a chance to see the opera performed, this is recommended for larger collections. Carolyn Phelan
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Review

"Matching the art’s sophistication with pinches of wit and rhyme, Shea tells the tale quickly but smoothly."  —Kirkus Reviews

"Beautifully written and illustrated for young children, the story is timeless and universal."  —School Arts Magazine

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 7 and up
  
• Hardcover: 36 pages
• Publisher: Pumpkin House, Ltd. (April 1, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0964601044
• ISBN-13: 978-0964601048
• Product Dimensions: 11.8 x 9.9 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,850,637 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Enchanting and relative to elementary-school children, July 27, 2008

By 

F. Drago "Ruby Solution" (Madison, NJ) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Boy and the Spell (Musical Stories series) (Hardcover)

I read this story to my 9-year-old son and not only was he transfixed by the engaging illustrations, he could also relate to the protagonist of the story--a boy about his age struggling to do his math homework when he'd rather be doing anything but. My son laughed at the boy's tirade and subsequent fantasy, and we were both relieved by the story's happy ending.