Customer Reviews

Waiting to Sing

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I recently had the opportunity to read this book to my third grade class. They enjoyed the story so much that they asked me to read it to them a second time. One of my students commented that the book was "poetry put to music". The children said that they could feel the author's emotions as I was reading. They particularly enjoyed the descriptive language. Even though the topic was sad, the students enjoyed Mr. Kaplan's writing style. The book was a fine example of what they have learned this year in Writer's Workshop. It has been strongly suggested to them that their personal writing be based upon what they know best - themselves. Mr. Kaplan wrote a book about personal loss and death and addressed the topic in a meaningful and non threatening manner.

For parents looking for books written for children about death,I recommend this beautifully composed story. Children are exposed to death in a variety of ways and this is a book that can help waylay their fears, allow them to feel with the young boy and experience his healing. Howard Kaplan's words put the reader into the story with his lyrical prose and images. As a woman who faced the loss of her mother at a young age, I felt like Howard had captured the emptiness and the lost feelings I had at the time. Howard,as your sister who sat at that piano and played "Fur Elise" over and over again with that G Clef lamp over my head, I congratulate you on your ability to combine poetry and prose and create a beautiful book.