Tuba Lessons (Creative Editions) [Hardcover]

T.C. Bartlett (Author), Monique Felix (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 5 and up | Grade Level: K and up | Series: Creative Editions

When a boy's path to his tuba teacher's house leads him through a forest, the boy delights in climbing trees and making music with rabbits, foxes, squirrels, and even a big, scary bear. This colorful and almost wordless story makes for a lesson all kids will want to take.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

PreSchool-Grade 1. Tuba tucked under his arm, a blond-haired boy sets off to his music lesson, with the words "Don't dillydally in the woods" ringing in his ears. However, when the lines of the road curve upward into a tree, the boy finds himself swinging on the branches and napping in the shade. Soon, a curious squirrel sounds a note from the instrument, bringing the forest animals to the scene, which, in turn, attracts a seemingly raucous bear. He, too, is quickly charmed by the boy's music making and when a large bounding note nearly carries the boy away, it's the bear who swiftly saves him. In the penultimate double-page spread, the tuba-playing boy, now happily astride the bear's back and accompanied by the gleeful animals, arrives safely?but tardy?to his lesson. On this final page, he is greeted with the book's only other words, "Young man, you're late." This nearly wordless story celebrates the joy of music, and children will be caught up in the mirth. Mostly, though, they will be captivated by Felix's imaginative use of line?with the road that becomes a tree, that becomes a road, that breaks into fractured lines with the bear's appearance, that swirls up into a curve resembling the shape of a tuba, and finally back into a road?and by her playful deployment of jumbo black notes that bounce about the pages. The colorful texture gives added dimension to the characters.?Barbara Elleman, Marquette University, Milwaukee, WI
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Kirkus Reviews

Music soothes the savage beast in this near-wordless picture book about a boy on his way to a tuba lesson. The tuba is about as big as the boy, who's warned not to ``dillydally'' in the woods, or he'll be late. He trots along a road of five lines, which looks suspiciously like a music staff; one line curves up to become a tree, which he first climbs and then naps under. A squirrel in the tree creates a giant musical note by fooling with the tuba; a host of critters poke their noses out of hiding places in the lines of the road. Soon there's a rollicking concert in the woods, interrupted by a ticked-off bear, who eventually succumbs to the music. There's a genial conspiracy between readers and the book's characters in the delight of dawdling, and a variety of events cleverly pace the book. Felix's illustrations are drawn on oatmeal-colored paper, which shows through the lines and smudges of pastel. Whimsical animals and ingenious compositions provide more fun, but this is serious art: Felix plays maestro to Bartlett's utterly childlike notions. (Picture book. 4-7) -- Copyright ©1997, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 5 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Creative Editions (July 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0152016430
• ISBN-13: 978-0152016432
• Product Dimensions: 10.6 x 10.5 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,752,075 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars What Fun !, December 7, 2000

By 

Shawn Weil - See all my reviews

This review is from: Tuba Lessons (Creative Editions) (Hardcover)

This is a picture book the highest quality. It is a bit like Little Red Riding Hood, except instead of a little girl, there is a little boy. Instead of a hood and a basket, there is a Tuba. Instead of grandma, there is a Tuba instructor. Instead of the wolf, there are a forest full of animals, all enamored by the tuba. And there is no bloody ending.

Ok. It is nothing like Little Red Riding Hood. But it is a lot of fun. I recommend it highly.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Tuba Lessons is a Musical Delight, December 10, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Tuba Lessons (Creative Editions) (Hardcover)

On his way to his tuba lesson, a young boy is swept up by the magic of a woods full of singing animals. Is it real, or is it a dream? Share this beautifully illustrated picture book with young children and creative adult friends and see what they think. This charmer will pull you back into the wonders of being a child. Beautifully illustrated. Surely a classic. Great gift book too.

5.0 out of 5 stars HITS ALL THE RIGHT NOTES, March 8, 2004

By 

Gail Cooke (TX, USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Tuba Lessons (Creative Editions) (Hardcover)

Music lessons will be seen in a new light after reading Tuba Lessons by T.C. Bartlett, illustrated by Monique Felix.

The imaginative record of a boy's trip to his music teacher's house is a bouncy, fun book to which any child who has ever taken a music lesson can quickly relate. The text is sprightly, and the illustrations vibrant.