Little Rat Makes Music [Paperback]

Monika Bang-Campbell (Author), Molly Bang (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1, 2008 | Age Level: 6 and up | Grade Level: 1 and up | Series: Little Rat

In this third book of Little Rat’s celebrated tales of triumph, Little Rat wants to play the violin, but practicing is boring, and her violin squawks a lot. With encouragement from her teacher, Little Rat discovers that with a bit of pluck, patience, and practice, anything is possible.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 1–3—Little Rat comes from a musical family and wants to learn an instrument of her own. After hearing other kids playing melodious notes on the violin, she is determined to do the same. To play the violin well, however, requires a lot of practice. With the help of Kitty, a tutor, Little Rat begins to make beautiful music. Kids will be able to relate to Little Rat's impatience with practicing and find many moments humorous. The jewel-toned watercolor-and-gouache artwork will help keep readers engaged. A realistic and meaningful look at the satisfying results of hard work and perseverance.—Erika Qualls, Ela Area Public Library District, Lake Zurich, IL
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Review

[set star] “Elegantly orchestrated.”—The Horn Book (starred)

“A realistic and meaningful look at the satisfying results of hard work and perseverance.”—School Library Journal

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 6 and up
  
• Paperback: 48 pages
• Publisher: Sandpiper; 1 edition (September 1, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0152063609
• ISBN-13: 978-0152063603
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 6.1 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,365,127 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Any kid taking music lessons will relate to her dilemma., November 4, 2007

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Little Rat Makes Music (Hardcover)

Monika Bang-Campbell's LITTLE RAT MAKES MUSIC will reach ages 6-9 with its easy reader about Little Rat, who longs to make music like the violinists she sees at concerts. Unfortunately, she hates to practice: it's hard and her violin squawks. How can Little Rat make beautiful music NOW? Any kid taking music lessons will relate to her dilemma.

4.0 out of 5 stars Hit home about struggles with practicing!, July 28, 2010

By 

Anne (Baltimore, MD) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Little Rat Makes Music (Paperback)

I have been scouting out the library for books with a good vocabulary, big font, lots of pictures, and short chapters. This book fits that bill. There were a lot of things I loved about this book. My daughter, who is 6 1/2, enjoyed this book a lot. She read it on her own and then I read it aloud to her and to my 4 1/2 year old. I was caught by surprise when Little Rat said loudly that practicing was "Stupid!" and then stomped off. Her mom did come to talk to her and explained that there wouldn't be any more tantrums and talked her through it. I liked how it was resolved. I was caught by surprise once more when Little Rat farted. My children are homeschooled and though they have great vocabularies, that word didn't happen to be in their vocabularies. So, it was an interesting thing to explain.

My daughter started playing piano a year ago and it has been really hard to get her to practice. I think she really understood this book and it held a great lesson for her. A year after starting lessons, it is finally easier for her. I think she liked and understood Little Rat.

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful book about the struggle and joy of making music, November 18, 2009

By 

C. K. Johnson (Brooklyn, NY) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Little Rat Makes Music (Paperback)

Learning to make music is often a difficult and frustrating slog, but the reward can be the incomparable joy that comes from performance. Little Rat loves beautiful violin music, but her own efforts are ugly and simplistic. Her teacher isn't warm and friendly, and Little Rat hates to practice, often throwing tantrums when her instrument won't behave. Still, she perseveres and her teacher finds her an older, more patient student who helps Little Rat settle down and focus. At the end of the book Little Rat learns an ambitious piece and experiences the joy of MAKING MUSIC at a recital.

This book made me tear up as it brought back my own struggles and joys with the piano. My children (aged 7 and 5) love it, and they love my connection to it. I believe it will give them a good reference point as they start piano lessons in a few weeks.