Two Scarlet Songbirds: A Story of Anton Dvorak [Hardcover]

Carole Lexa Schaefer (Author), Elizabeth Rosen (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 5 and up | Grade Level: K and up

Fact and fiction come together in a magically imagined tale of the composer Anton Dvorák’s inspiration for “American Quartet.” Transfixed by the birdsong of the little Iowa river town where he and his family are spending the summer, Dvorák seeks out the beautiful song of the scarlet tanager. And as the tanager woos a mate and begins to build a nest, Dvorák writes the bird’s music down on everything from paper to shirtsleeves. At the end of one long summer evening, the scarlet tanager hears familiar music from the town’s schoolhouse and settles on a branch nearby to listen. Inside, Dvorák and his friends play the first rehearsal of “American Quartet,” inspired by the little songbird. Then, while one plays on, the other flies home.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Gr 1-4-In the author's terms, "historical fact and imagination are woven together" to describe how the famous Czech composer heard the song of the scarlet tanager while summering in Iowa in 1893 and was inspired to write the third movement of the American Quartet, a string quartet in F major. The story eloquently captures the essence of listening and skillfully demonstrates the patience and dedication Dvor k shows in trying to hear the bird's song and to re-create the melody with musical instruments. As the composer works, the bird is equally busy, finding a mate and building a nest. Gorgeously colored illustrations complement the subject matter. The red bird is always visible, even amid bright blues, greens, and yellows. The artist uses thickly applied oils in vibrant swirls to create van Goghesque paintings that seem to have rhythm and movement of their own. An author's note provides historical background. A stunning addition to any collection.

Lucinda Snyder Whitehurst, St. Christopher's School, Richmond, VA

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

Ages 5-8. When composer Anton Dvorak first hears the Scarlet Tanager, he is charmed by its song. In the days that follow, he plays his violin, listens for the bird, and composes music. Later, he and three companions are playing his new piece when the Scarlet Tanager alights on a tree outside their window and sings along with the violins, viola, and cello. According to the appended author's note, Czech composer Dvorak spent a summer in Iowa, where the song of a Scarlet Tanager inspired the third movement of his American Quartet. Though older readers might find the incident unlikely, children may be charmed by the thought of a bird singing along with the music it had inspired. Defined by bold forms and colors as well as repeated curves, the painterly illustrations are seen to best advantage from a little distance. For larger collections. Carolyn Phelan
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 5 and up
  
• Hardcover: 40 pages
• Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers (September 11, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0375810226
• ISBN-13: 978-0375810220
• Product Dimensions: 10.1 x 8.1 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #513,599 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Magic of Inspiration all Around Us!, October 2, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Two Scarlet Songbirds: A Story of Anton Dvorak (Hardcover)

This is a magical story and a sumptuously illustrated feast for the eyes, showing kids (and us "former kids") that inspiration is everywhere around us.

It was the lush illustration that first caught my eye and led me into this wonderful, beautifully written (and true!) tale of a famous composer sparked to write one of his most famous creations by the song of a bird in the branches above him.

Our six year old nephew has been unable to put it down ever since we gave it to him. And while we love seeing him dive into it and stay entertained, the book had a wonderful side effect we never expected... he has suddenly taken heightened interest in his surroundings. When we took a walk yesterday, he was suddenly imitating the songs of seagulls. He said he wanted to try to capture the color of the afternoon sunlight when we got home and he reached for his crayons. He has always been very curious, but never to this degree! He seemed to suddenly be approaching his drawing with extra energy and purpose. It was amazing to see.

"Two Scarlet Songbirds" has somehow demystified creativity and unleashed new levels of awareness curiosity and confidence in him.

I'll confess this inspiration has rubbed off on this forty year old too. I've never been moved to write a review before...

If you don't put this piece of magic into the hands of the little ones you know, you're missing something wonderful!

The illustrations are so visually rich that even very young ones will love it (the nephew I spoke of has a one year old brother who was delighted looking at the pictures and having it read to him).

Thumbs up!!

5.0 out of 5 stars Two Scarlet Songbirds, February 25, 2011

By 

boogiez mom - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Two Scarlet Songbirds: A Story of Anton Dvorak (Hardcover)

This book is a delight start to finish. You may read it to very young children who will be amazed looking at the pictures. Very soon, they will be reading it for theirselves. It was hard to take my eyes off of the illustrations. The artwork is beautiful as is everything Elizabeth Rosen creates. Combine Elizabeth Rosen's illustrations with Carole Lexa Schaefer's story telling, & it's a winner!