Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (Getting to Know the World's Greatest Composers) (Library Binding)

~ (Author) "Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was born in Salzburg, Austria, in 1756..." (more)
Key Phrases: Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Wolfgang Mozart, The Magic Flute

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

A biography of the child prodigy who wrote more than 800 pieces of music before his untimely death at thirty-five.

About the Author

Mike Venezia is the author of several nonfiction books for children.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 9-12
  
• Library Binding: 32 pages
• Publisher: Scholastic Library Publishing (October 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0516045415
• ISBN-13: 978-0516045412
• Product Dimensions: 9.8 x 8.3 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.5 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,804,257 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Another great book in this series, June 28, 2004

By	christinemm - The Thinking Mother (Connecticut, United States) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)

This review is from: Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (Getting to Know the World's Greatest Composers) (Paperback)

Author Mike Venezia does a great job explaining biographies to children in a way that is both understandable and interesting. The writing style is not dumbed down or patronizing in tone. This is book is one in a series, others are about other musical composers and artists.

The first few pages explain what the musical climate was like in Mozart's life and explains how people used music for entertainment purposes. This is brief and a very good opening to put Mozart's life in perspective. The rest of the book is a full span of Mozart's life. Unlike other books for children about Mozart, the fact that Mozart was a boy genius is not the main content of the book. Oddly, Mozart's children are never mentioned. Mozart's marriage is briefly mentioned as is Mozart's death.

I have mixed feelings about the illustrations. I appreciated that the illustrations documented the various time periods of Mozart's life. I loved the illustrations that were photographs, fine drawings, or copies of fine paintings of the places Mozart visited, of Mozart and his family, and scenes of his operas. I did not at all like the eight cartoons whose illustrations and accompanying text were sarcastic and silly. These eight cartoons were completely out of character with the text of the book and I didn't appreciate them at all. My children and I have enjoyed other books by this author that did not have dumb cartoons and jokes. My children, aged 4 and 6 haven't needed these silly and sometimes insulting jokes to make the subject matter enjoyable. The interesting biography's text and other illustrations are high quality and are better off without these cartoons. The cartoons downgrade my rating to a 4.

I recommend this book and others by Mike Venezia to teach young children about important people in history.

4.0 out of 5 stars Good Introduction, July 16, 2008

By	Sara H "Dancing Boys' Mom" (California) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (Getting to Know the World's Greatest Composers) (Paperback)

Like all of Venezia's books, this is a great introduction to the musician. The story is in simple to understand language so young children can easily grasp what is being explained. The only caution I would give is in regards to the "comics." Considering a few incidents I've had with my preschool aged children, I would advise people to make sure to emphasize the make believe aspect of these parts when reading them to the younger children.

For older children it is a great music appreciation lesson if you add some listening afterwards. With this book on Mozart I'd recommend listening to and reading about one of his opera's since at one point these are singled out for attention.

5.0 out of 5 stars interesting and funny, February 8, 2008

By	moviefanatic - See all my reviews

This review is from: Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (Getting to Know the World's Greatest Composers) (Paperback)

I recommend all of these children's "Getting to Know the World's Greatest Composers" books. They are chocked full of information along with hilarious cartoons which keep a kid interested! Moviemaniac