Mozart Finds a Melody [Hardcover]

Stephen Costanza (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 5 and up

For the first time in Wolfgang's life, the famous composer was at a loss for a tune. He tried every trick to get his imagination going. He sang standing on his head. He played his violin in the bathtub. He even threw darts at the blank music paper. Alas, nothing worked.

An imaginative story about Mozart's many inspirations

Wolfgang Mozart must compose a new piano concerto to perform at the famous Burgtheatre in Vienna. But Mozart can't think of a note to write. When he hears his hungry pet starling sing out melodiously, his creativity begins to flow. Before he can put notes to paper, however, his muse escapes through the window, and Mozart is off on a frantic search to bring her back. Will Mozart find both his friend and song in time?

Based on a true story about the famous composer and his beloved pet starling, this enchanting tale celebrates inspiration in any form it takes.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Kindergarten-Grade 3–In this fictionalized version of how the composer wrote his "Piano Concerto no. 17 in G Major," Mozart is facing a case of writer's block and a looming deadline. His pet starling begins to sing and the notes provide a fine melody. When the young man opens her cage, she flies out. He looks for her all over the city but doesn't find her. However, the sounds of the streets give him additional inspiration so that he can complete the piece and perform it as planned. During the concert, Miss Bimms hears the music and flies to the theater where she is reunited with her owner. Done in gouache, acrylic, and colored pencil, the sepia-toned illustrations provide beautifully detailed glimpses of Vienna and the concert hall. Unfortunately, Mozart is shown with a round head, big eyes, and wild hair–slightly stylized features that give him the appearance of a Cabbage Patch doll. There is a silliness about the story that seems to detract from the man and his talent. In an author's note, Costanza indicates the source for his ideas. Though not outstanding, this tale can be used to introduce Mozart and to open discussion about how a composer might get inspiration from life around him.–Susan Lissim, Dwight School, New York City
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist

K-Gr. 2. Mozart, it seems, kept a pet starling that learned a tune from one of his concertos. In Costanza's second picture book (the first book that he has also written), the author-illustrator takes this fact and extrapolates, imagining how the songbird's chirping might have nudged the composer out of a creative slump. When his "little beaked bagatelle" escapes just before an important deadline, Mozart scours the streets to no avail. Luckily, rattling carts, squawking geese, hollering vendors, and other city noises provide inspiration aplenty to complete the symphony, the familiar strains of which guide the lost bird home. It's a shame that the fantasy is never balanced with the biographical facts kids will crave, and the narrative feels somewhat stiff. Despite that, Costanza is an illustrator to watch. Blending the burnished palette and twirling energy of Raul Colon, the softness of Leonid Gore, and a sense of fun that trills to a melody all its own, his paintings offer an ingenious view of eighteenth-century Vienna. Jennifer Mattson
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 5 and up
  
• Hardcover: 40 pages
• Publisher: Henry Holt and Co. (BYR); First Edition edition (August 12, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0805066276
• ISBN-13: 978-0805066272
• Product Dimensions: 10.3 x 10.3 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #450,339 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful Book!, January 15, 2007

By 

L. Sturges (Oakland, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Mozart Finds a Melody (Hardcover)

My son who is 6 years old says, "You should get it!".

This beautiful story has inspired my son to listen for music in the city as we go through our day. He often wonders aloud how Mozart would use a certain sound(like say for instance, our city bus) if Mozart was composing a new piece of music. We love this story.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of those books we'll always keep, September 5, 2006

By 

Susan Godel (southern Maine) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Mozart Finds a Melody (Hardcover)

I love this book and so do my kids. It has a clever and charming storyline that weaves in a child's first look at a musical score, a few landmarks of 18th century Vienna, the excitement of a musical premiere, the effort of creating and composing. But mostly it's a fun tale beautifully illustrated with an affectionate characterization of Mozart that completely delights children. It is a wonderful book in every respect. I wish there were a whole series from this author/illustrator bringing other composers to life for this age group.

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Enchanting New Children's Book, October 15, 2004

By 

Erika Sorocco (Southern California, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Mozart Finds a Melody (Hardcover)

Wolfgang Mozart must compose a new tune that will be heard in the famous Burgtheater in Vienna by Saturday evening. But poor Mozart can't think of any notes to write. Alas, he is suffering from writer's block. Until his hungry pet starling, Miss Bimms, sings a melody and gets his brain flowing. However, before he can begin writing the notes down on paper, Miss Bimms escapes through the window, and Mozart begins searching the town for the little starling. On his short trip through Vienna, Mozart begins to realize that his little town is filled with inspiring sounds, and is able to set to work on his composition once and for all.

Stephen Costanza's new children book is nothing short of enchanting. The wonderful prose contained within the pages is lovely, and flows much like a melody itself. While his gorgeous illustrations contained on every page couldn't be better. This is a wonderful book for all, whether you're a Mozart fan or not.

Erika Sorocco
Book Review Columnist for The Community Bugle Newspaper