Customer Reviews

The Remarkable Farkle Mcbride

5 star:		(37)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

Farkle McBride is definitely a remarkable little guy. He could play the violin at three. But was bored with violin playing at four. At five he discovered the flute. But at six decided it was not for him. When Farkle was seven, he took up the trombone, but then gave it up too. Next he tried percussion, but decided that was not quite right for him either. After thinking and thinking he realized that his very favorite sound was all the different instruments playing together...the orchestra. And so when the conductor gets sick, Maestro Farkle McBride steps in, finding what he really likes to do most at last. John Lithgow as written a terrific children's book, full of rhythm, rhyme and wonderful sound effects. His text is complimented by C.F. Payne's very expressive and detailed, larger than life illustrations. This is a delightful story that will charm and amuse all youngsters aged 4-8 and is a wonderful introduction to both musical instruments and the orchestra. The Remarkable Farkle McBride is a winner and a wonderful addition to all home libraries.

My kids (4-1/2 and 3 year-old twins) absolutely love this book! The words are interesting and complex, the rhymes are goofy, the illustrations are hysterical. I understand that there is a CD available to complement the book, which we will surely buy. We loved this book so much that we are donating a copy to our eldest's school. If you are familiar with and enjoy Garrison Keeler's delightful childrens book, "Cat, You Better Come Home," then Mr. Lithgow's book is a must buy.

As I read some of the other responses I got the idea that some people got different things out of this book than I did.

I first bought this book for the Illustrations (which I might add are up there with Ezra Jack Keats and Van Allsburg). Then I read the book and really enjoyed it.

Someone mentioned that It gave the wrong Ideas to kids. The only ideas that I saw this book giving to kids is that it is good to be interested in things and to not be afraid to try new things until you find what you love to do.

I would really recommend this book to anyone.

Although Farkle does try various instruments and then tire of them and disrespect them by destroying them, this book is worthwhile for the moral. That one should never give up and always keep trying to find one's "fit" into the world. For Farkle his passion is music and after trying many instruments at the end he finds his "fit" where he can appreciate all instruments.

This might be a bit tedious for adults, but this is a very important lesson for children to learn and to recognize that there are other options out there, just because you start learning music on a piano does not mean you can't try the trombone or if you work in pastels you can't work with watercolors.

This is a great read which is funny, fun, and silly, while still maintaining a serious message.

This book is a great introduction to the orchestra for kids! Lithow's rhymes are filled with wonderful sounds that mimic the noises of various instruments. I heard Mr. Lithgow on National Public Radio today and he talked about how children are sure to identify with frustrated Farkle as he tries to find his true calling--which is ultimately not to play any single instrument, but to be the conductor of the orchestra. What a terrific message about the power of collaboration! And don't miss out on the truly inspired paintings by illustrator C. F. Payne!

My son and I found this premiere installment of young Farkle McBride's life enjoyable (fun). When taken in the the light vain that I think Mr. Lithgow intended, you can feel Farkle's frustration as he appreciates the beauty of each instrument yet cannot overlook the less pleasant side of each. (Being a flute player I can appreciate both his reactions for and against this woodwind.) The illustrations are wonderful and complement the fun and rythmic rhyme of the text. Children will understand that Farkle's treatment of the instruments is less than desirable, and look beyond this to his search for his place in the music he loves.

Out of about 100 books bought in the last 2 months for our two year old, this is the only one that we're returning and don't want to read to him. It's not that what other reviews praise about the story and pictures isn't true, it's just that the story and pictures also depict values and actions that we are not comfortable exposing to our young child although I seriously considered keeping the book for myself because I personally liked it. The main character is not a very good role model. (Because we are both parents and early childhood and elementary educators, we may be more attuned to and concerned about role models in books, which may not be as big of an issue or concern to others so this book may be fine depending on one's particular sensitivies and orientation.) Not every child is a childhood prodigy like Farkle McBride and particularly with certain issues that surround children in today's American culture and media, I am concerned about a child being exposed to a character who can master something without trying that hard or practicing or sticking to it and who easily gives up what they're doing because they get bored. Though not automatically negative, there's a bit of concern that a message is being sent suggesting that the one who is in charge (e.g. the conductor) has a better job than the others. Though amusing from an adult point of view, the book has images of instruments being broken in pieces or thrown away because the child is bored of them - not a good model for caring for personal property and respecting the investment (monetary and time) made by his parents to support his interests. We love Lithgow's other children's CDs and some of his other works but considering the selection of books out there, I think one can easily make a better choice for stories about children and music (e.g. for whole orchestra books try "Zin, Zin, Zin, A Vioin", the Gustav Mole books, "The Hippo Hop", "The Story of the Incredible Orchestra", and for less than full orchestra books, "Mole Music", "Song and Dance Man").

Being a primary school music teacher, I laughed when introduced to this book... then I read it. What a brilliant piece of work it is! A wonderful introduction to the orchestra for children, beautiful, vivid pictures, and verbal repetition for children to grasp on to - what more could we ask for? I have used this book with several classes and ALL have enjoyed it.

I aggree with the concerns about Farkle destroying instruments that he is not satisified with - however, children know that this is extreme and non-typical behavior. (and if it does not occur to them, I remind them!) I do like the fact that he keeps exploring until he has found the perfect fit - many students ultimately shy away from music/instruments because they were forced to stick with the instrument at hand.

I was also thrilled to pick up the companion CD this weekend - "Farkle and Friends." It is wonderfully imaginative and a brilliant companion to the fanciful writing style and artwork of the book. Would that I could find more inspiring material so easily for my classroom!

Farkle McBride is a musical genius. At the age of three he plays the violin. At five it's the flute, at seven the trombone, and at nine he's mastered percussion. However, Farkle is never quite satisfied and destroys each of his instruments a year after mastering them. It isn't until he's ten that he realizes that what he loves best is hearing all the instruments together and is called upon to conduct an orchestra.

Lithgow has a wonderful sense of rhyme and the onomatopoeia is a delight. C.F. Payne's illustrations are beautiful and his Farkle looks rather similar to a young John Lithgow.

Kids enjoy listening to the book and if you really want to read into it, it's filled with lessons. For example, the book introduces children to the wondrous sounds of an orchestra and it illustrates that it's good to try new things and keep learning.

I didn't not like the fact that Farkle destroys every instrument he owned. That illustrates the Farkle is basically a spoiled brat whose parents obey his every whim. Of course, that whole characteristic of Farkle could be used as a lesson, too. Then again, maybe Lithgow never intended for there to be any lessons in the book. Some books, after all, are just fun to read in and of themselves. In that case, it's a very fun and entertaining story to read.

I gave this book to my 60 year old father who is a true "Farkle" of all trades. Our family laughed and laughed as he read it aloud, understanding how fitting it was for his life. A perfectionist at all he does and bored once perfected, the book let us all laugh at what has at times been a frustrating life to live with. The illustrations and story are fun and entertaining for people of all ages, from my 2 year old to my 90 year old grandparents. A great book for any age, a great gift for that perfectionist "Farkle" in your life, and a great "satisfying" laugh all around.