George Gershwin (Getting to Know the World's Greatest Composers) [Library Binding]

Mike Venezia (Author, Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1994 | Age Level: 6 and up | Grade Level: 1 and up | Series: Getting to Know the World's Greatest Composers

This series meets National Curriculum Standards for: Social Studies: Culture

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Gr 2-4--In these two cheerful books, Venezia takes the same approach he used in ``Getting to Know the World's Greatest Artists'' series (Childrens). The material is conveyed in an upbeat, if slightly irreverent, manner, allowing children to see the composers as real people. Black-and-white and full-color photographs and period art reproductions appear throughout, in addition to numerous colorful cartoons. The purpose may be to parallel the fine art and music of each book's time period, but the author does not expound on this concept. These slim volumes are more visually appealing than either Barbara Mitchell's America, I Hear You (Carolrhoda, 1987) or Ann Rachlin's Tchaikovsky (Barron's, 1993), but they contain much less information.

Robin Works Davis, Hurst Public Library, TX

Copyright 1995 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

Review

"A great way to prepare children for the pleasure of a museum visit or a concert."

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 6 and up
  
• Library Binding: 32 pages
• Publisher: Children's Press (September 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0516045369
• ISBN-13: 978-0516045368
• Product Dimensions: 9.8 x 8.3 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,686,440 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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 Interesting and Enjoyable, July 1, 2000

By 

"narya58" - See all my reviews

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

This is one in a wonderful series of books intended to introduce young readers to the lives of famous composers. The story of George Gershwin not only tells about his life, but also gives children a feel for the time he lived in. Venezia uses details about Gershwin as a child to draw youngsters into the story. They can empathize with the young George who is seen as a "nerd" by his peers, because of his love for music. Yet he still enjoyed sports, particularly roller skating. As always, Venezia's illustrations are wonderful and I particularly enjoyed the photographs and artwork that accompanied them. All the parts come together to give children an interesting and enjoyable picture of the man and his music.

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Another Great Composer Biography, September 15, 2002

By 

"renovia" (Portland, ME United States) - See all my reviews

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

This is a great representation of George Gershwin's life. A must have for every elementary school library. It has beautiful black and white and color pictures along with cartoons enhancing the story. Hyper-sensitive schools and parents may be shocked at the first photo of the book which has Gershwin sitting at the piano with a cigar in his mouth. If everyone can get past that picture by reminding children that this was before people knew that smoking was bad for your health, then you can enjoy this great biography.