Author Description

From Kirkus Reviews In an appealing Canadian import, Gillmor takes an offbeat approach to the dreaded subject of music lessons. Sarah Pipkin's little brother is named Frederic, after Chopin, and his parents are sure he will be musical. But Mr. Stricter, the piano teacher, and Mrs. Lumply, the clarinet teacher, can't do a thing with him. Even leaving his clarinet on the bus doesn't save Frederic from subsequent trials with an oboe, a violin, and a banjo. However, when Frederic attends Sarah's youth orchestra concert, the conductor captures his fancy. When the house fills with relatives for his seventh birthday party, Frederic makes music by conducting them all in a song he hears in his head. The illustrations, with their exaggerated figures, limpid watercolors, and nervous line, are full of great touches: Mr. Stricter's dog barks allegro vivace; Mrs. Lumply's pets wear earplugs and earmuffs when carroty-haired Frederic plays; the conductor, and later Frederic himself, produce great ribbons of musical notation that reach out to touch the audience. (Picture book. 5-8) -- Copyright ©1998, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved. Product Description When Frederic Pipkin is born, his parents are sure he has musical talent, but it isn't until after his unsuccessful lessons on various instruments that he finds his true calling From School Library Journal PreSchool-Grade 2AYoung Frederic Pipkin displays no musical aptitude at all, despite his parents' frantic efforts to make him into a child prodigy. Exposing him to every instrument in the orchestra after piano lessons were aborted early on, they finally give up when all attempts fail. Frederic, however, finds his own niche as a conductor, using a wooden spoon to direct his family in a wonderful composition he creates. Energetic cartoon drawings convey the cacophony suggested. Although certainly not a priority purchase, this musical spoof might hit a familiar note with other misguided young musici