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The Magic Violin Paperback – October 12, 2007
Mayra Calvani (Author) Find all the books, read about the author, and more. See search results for this author |
K.C. Snider (Illustrator) Find all the books, read about the author, and more. See search results for this author |
Enhance your purchase
- Reading age5 - 6 years
- Print length28 pages
- LanguageEnglish
- Dimensions8.5 x 0.07 x 8.5 inches
- PublisherGuardian Angel Publishing, Inc
- Publication dateOctober 12, 2007
- ISBN-101933090499
- ISBN-13978-1933090498
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Product details
- Publisher : Guardian Angel Publishing, Inc; 1st edition (October 12, 2007)
- Language : English
- Paperback : 28 pages
- ISBN-10 : 1933090499
- ISBN-13 : 978-1933090498
- Reading age : 5 - 6 years
- Item Weight : 3.21 ounces
- Dimensions : 8.5 x 0.07 x 8.5 inches
- Best Sellers Rank: #3,095,266 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #3,963 in Children's Performing Arts Fiction
- Customer Reviews:
About the authors
Mayra Calvani writes fiction and nonfiction for children and adults and has authored over a dozen books, some of which have won awards. Her stories, reviews, interviews and articles have appeared on numerous publications such as The Writer, Writer's Journal, Multicultural Review, and Bloomsbury Review, among many others.
She lives in Belgium with her husband of 25+ years, 2 wonderful kids, and her two beloved pets. When she's not writing, reading, editing or reviewing, she enjoys walking her dog, traveling, and spending time with her family. Represented by Louise Fury at The Bent Agency.
Visit her website at www.MayraCalvani.com.
Favorite writing quotes:
"You must stay drunk on writing so reality cannot destroy you." ~Ray Bradbury
"Writing a book is a horrible, exhausting struggle, like a long bout of some painful illness. One would never undertake such a thing if one were not driven on by some demon whom one can neither resist nor understand." ~George Orwell, "Why I Write," 1947
K.C. Snider, an honors graduate from The Eugene School for Art, is a prominent Oregon artist. Her love of the western life and of wildlife has been developed since her youth, with her natural talent for drawing and color exhibited since she was ten years old.
Originally specializing in Western Fine Art, K.C. now has a collection of oil and acrylic paintings, lithographs, and pastel and pencil drawings that include portraits of the All-American Cowboy and Cowgirl and their lifestyles of days gone by. K.C. had planned to become an illustrator when she was in art school, but when circumstances intervened, she turned to fine art as an outlet to express herself. However, K.C. had always considered her work to be a form of illustration because even her paintings "tell a story."
In 2007, K.C. illustrated two children's books, The Christmas Angel, with author Mary Jean Kelso and The Magic Violin, with Mayra Calvani. Both books were published by Guardian Angel Publishing and are also available as an e-Book. Now she is an established and sought-after illustrator for Guardian Angel Publishing with a total of nine children's books published, four more pending publication and 12 more waiting to be illustrated. K.C. works with authors all over the world, including Australia and Belgium.
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J.D. Holiday
When Melina and her family are out at the Grand Place, a beautiful old plaza, she hears “Winter,” the Vivaldi piece she’s been trying to learn. An old woman, with the same emerald ring her teacher wears, is playing on the plaza. When Melina meets the violinist, she sees an amazing thing—a hamster playing “Winter” on a tiny violin! Melina is told if she wishes on a shooting star on Christmas Eve, her wish will come true.
This delightful story has magical and mysterious elements. The most important idea is that if you believe in yourself, the impossible becomes possible. Melina believes her violin has become magical, but the real power or magic is in her dedication to learning and playing well, and then experiencing the joy in accomplishing her goal.
Once again, K.C. Snider’s beautiful illustrations are the perfect accompaniment to this magical story. The warmth and joy of the Christmas season are evident on every page. This story, a wonderful collaboration between author and artist, makes you want to pack up and go to The Grand Place to experience such a magical Christmas. Highly recommended for ages 5 to 9.
Melina yearns to be good at playing the violin. But it requires work, persistence and confidence. Melina is short on confidence and wants to quit.
Her kind and gentle teacher, Andrea, recognizes Melina's self-esteem problem and decides she needs some magic, which is delivered in the form of a mysterious old woman who gives Melina some interesting advice. But the delightful surprise is the Russian hamster living under the old woman's hat. He gives Melina an inspiring performance that fills her with hope on Christmas Eve.
But the questions are: Is Melina really playing better because she's inspired and has gained confidence, or is she in possession of a magic violin? And who is the old woman in the town square and why does she wear the same beautiful emerald ring as her violin teacher Andrea? "Could it be possible? Could Andrea and the old woman be the same person?"
I love children's books that inspire. And The Magic Violin inspires and entertains. The story is set in Belgium (where the author lives) and is sweet, well-written and zero's in on a huge problem with many children; self-esteem. The illustrations are all lovely but the cover captivates the reader's attention. It is so beautiful it could be framed.
Armchair Interviews says: The Magic Violin is a must read, must have for children. They'll be inspired by the story and the illustrations will delight them.
Discouraged, she doesn't think she'll ever learn to play it properly, even though her teacher is most encouraging. Will she overcome her frustration and get past this self-defeating attitude? A chance encounter on the street while looking at Christmas lights with an old woman who is playing a violin and her little friend changes things for Melina.
This is a story with a lesson that applies to us all as we try to learn anything new. Adults will identify with Melina and remember their own childhood struggles with learning anything new.
A delightful tale by talented author Mayra Calvani that children of all ages will enjoy and learn from. Nonreading children will love having this tale read to them and the reading child can read it themselves. Couched in easy language with matching artwork by talented artist K. C. Snider, children can enter Melina's world and see the world through her eyes. A highly enjoyable experience for parent and child alike. Highly recommended for children the world over. Adults too will enjoy this tale. I sure did.