Louisa May and Mr. Thoreau's Flute (Hardcover)

~ Julie Dunlap (Author), (Author), Mary Azarian (Illustrator) "Jump, I dare you!..." (more)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Azarian's (From Dawn Till Dusk, reviewed above) ever-glorious hand-tinted woodcuts are just part of the attraction of this picture book, a fictionalized account of an episode in writer Louisa May Alcott's childhood. Called "my wild Louisa" by her father, eight-year-old "Louy" rebels against the strictures of a seemingly endless round of chores and studies (particularly writing). So when neighbor and teacher Henry David Thoreau gathers local children for Saturday field trips, Louy is champing at the bit to go. The outings open her eyes to the wonders of the natural world, and also make her curious about her teacher, who plays haunting flute music and frequently jots things down in his notebook. The trips halt when winter arrives and, wondering "What would Mr. Thoreau do if he were boxed inside?," Louy thinks of writing, but "words seemed trapped inside her, like fish under ice." Then spring arrives and, with it, inspiration, as Louy discovers "her own inner music" and pens her first poem, which "seemed as beautiful as the notes from Mr. Thoreau's flute." Authors Dunlap (Eye on the Wild: A Story About Ansel Adams) and Lorbiecki (Sister Anne's Hands) blend historical facts with a lyrical, engaging story line anchored by the spunky Louisa. Azarian's artwork illuminates the 19th-century setting, detailing the sparsely beautiful New England interiors as well as the lush landscape near Walden Pond. A compelling introduction to the author of Little Women, this fine book also features a prologue and afterword that provide further information about the Alcott family and Thoreau. Ages 5-up.
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

Gr. 2-4. In nineteenth-century Concord, Massachusetts, seven-year-old Louisa May Alcott lives with her parents and sisters. A tomboy and original thinker, Louisa delights in accompanying the neighborhood children on nature outings with their teacher, Mr. Henry David Thoreau. The children gather huckleberries, observe toads, and listen to the sweet melodies that emanate from Thoreau's flute. These excursions inspire Louisa to hear her own inner music--her writing. Based on details gleaned from the journals and letters of both Alcott and Thoreau, this picture book serves as a good introduction to these famous Americans, as well as a look inside the creative process. Azarian's striking illustrations are a perfect match for the setting and tone of the story. The acrylic-painted woodcuts add authenticity and interest with era-appropriate details and colorful fabric designs. A good follow-up for children who enjoyed D. B. Johnson's Henry Hikes to Fitchburg (2000) and Henry Builds a Cabin (2002). Kay Weisman
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4-8
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Dial (September 30, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0803724705
• ISBN-13: 978-0803724709
• Product Dimensions: 11.4 x 9.3 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #791,110 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Inspiring for young creatives, November 27, 2002

By	mensch (New York) - See all my reviews

The other evening I descended my stairs to find my husband snuggled on the couch with a picture book and my 3 year old son, reading. This is not unusual. What was unusual was that my thirteen year old daughter sat with them listening intently as well. The book, not surprisingly, was Louisa May and Mr. Thoreaus Flute.
It is a well woven story of inspiration and the search for authentic self. The illustrations have a distinctly natural appeal that defers to the passion of Thoreau very well. They absorbed my youngest. The story and the words are engaging and inspiring enough for my eldest, a big fan of Little Women. It is a lovely book to share with your young creatives.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars FRIENDSHIP BETWEEN KINDRED SOULS, January 3, 2006

By	Gail Cooke (TX, USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 10 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)    (COMMUNITY FORUM 04)

The childhood of Louisa May Alcott is surely a subject to fascinate young readers. While many recognize her as the author of the classic "Little Women," few may know that she also penned a poem, "Thoreau's Flute," a mournful tribute to her childhood friend, Henry Thoreau. In her verse she laments that "The genius of the wood is lost."

Louisa, very much like Thoreau, was drawn to nature. She wrote as a child and her authorial skills bloomed under the tutelage of her proud parents. Nonetheless, she found time to run off to the concord woods where Thoreau had built a hut, and Louisa said that she felt closest to God.

The Walden Pond area was often visited by Louisa and her sisters who enjoyed picnicking near the water and rowing on the Pond.

This story of a young girl's friendship with a kindred soul is beautifully illustrated with woodcuts, apt companions for a tale emphasizing individual realization and nature's bounty.

- Gail Cooke