Gabriella's Song [Hardcover]

Candace Fleming (Author), Giselle Potter (Illustrator)

Book Description

Gabriella wanders the streets and canals of Venice singing a simple tune so evocative that it makes the baker long for his youth, turns the widow to weeping, and sets the gondolier's heart aflutter. This captivating song is passed around until it's on the lips of all in the city. Full color.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

"Delicate renderings of Venetian life set the stage for this heartwarming tale of a girl with a song in her heart that kindles emotion and inspiration in everyone who hears it," said PW in its Best Books citation. Ages 3-8.

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

--This text refers to the Paperback edition.

From School Library Journal

Grade 1-3?In Venice, the city of music, young Gabriella hears music in voices, water, boats, pigeons, the "slap-slap" of laundry drying, the "ting-aling-ling" of church bells, and her mother's voice. In Gabriella's heart, these sounds combine and become a song that she hums in the bakery. The baker hums it to a widow, who hums it to a gondolier, who plays it on his accordion. The music catches in the breeze, which spreads it all through the city?and into the room where the "brilliant composer Giuseppe Del Pietro" sits in museless frustration, unable to work on his newest symphony, scheduled for performance in a few weeks. Gabriella's tune, of course, becomes his inspiration, and he turns it into a magnificent symphony. Not only do the Venetians love the music, but they recognize it as Gabriella's song, and she, too, receives a standing ovation. Potter's flat ink, watercolor, and colored-pencil illustrations are somewhat reminiscent of Maira Kalman's work. A subdued palette transports readers to the streets of a city filled with old-world charm and perfectly complements the engaging text. Endpapers feature laundry and sheet music fluttering on clotheslines, and the back cover displays a map of Italy with Venice's location marked. A whimsical book for budding musicians, music teachers, or just about anyone looking for a good story.?Lisa Falk, Palos Verdes Library, CA
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Atheneum/Anne Schwartz Books; 1st edition (October 1, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0689809735
• ISBN-13: 978-0689809736
• Product Dimensions: 9.8 x 9.4 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.1 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #785,900 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars EVERYTHING I WANT IN A BOOK FOR MY KIDS, July 8, 2003

By 

traceybeehive "traceybeehive" (Laguna Beach, Calif.) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Gabriella's Song (Hardcover)

This is such an enchanting, smart and magic little book. It has all the elements I look for in a book for the kids I read to. Through it kids can learn about another city (a quite a wonderful one at that), the power of music and the charm and love commen people of a town can provide for each other. I have read a lot of kids books and this one is really, really special.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Such a lovely book, April 4, 2006

By 

Julian Boot (Brisbane, Australia) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Gabriella's Song (Aladdin Picture Books) (Paperback)

There are so many elements that make this a truly lovely book. My daughter and I love Giselle Potter's illustration and when she is teamed with Candace Fleming they make the perfect combination. The storyline is original and interesting with Gabriella finding music in the sounds of everyday life. Her relationship with the people she meets each day and particularly her mother are loving, warm and sweet. And I really appreciate how Gabriella and her friends all have something to contribute and the composer takes their musicality and incorporates into his symphony - and they are thrilled! The language and repetition Fleming uses to describe the musical sounds of the neighbourhood are instantly recognisable and stimulating, encouraging little people to find their own "songs". The illustrations are divine - the colours so conjure up the light and antiquity of Italy and I find the rounded faces and bodies of Potter's Gabriella so appealing. Highly recommended, particularly for those parents and children who find pleasure in music and the gentle side of life. As with Agnes Caws this book provides an endearing and strong young girl heroine, interested in creativity, people and her environment.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A creative look at how musical composition is inspired ..., April 13, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Gabriella's Song (Hardcover)

The opening lines of this book hooked me: "Ah, Venice. The Piazza San Marco. The Grand Canal. St. Mark's Cathedral." This is the way to inspire a child to look outside his neighborhood! Gabriella's Song is a wonderful, richly textured book about how music is inspired and passed from person to person. My 3-year old, a music lover, enjoyed this book on the first read!