Learning from Picture Books - The Man With the Violin

I really admired the unique way the illustrator told the story along with the author in this picture book. I’m so glad I was introduced to this story through the nominations for the Blue Spruce Award and my school librarian. It’s really a picture book for all ages, not just children.

Here's the summary from Amazon:

This gorgeous picture book is based on the true story of Joshua Bell, the renowned American violinist who famously took his instrument down into the Washington D.C. subway for a free concert. More than a thousand commuters rushed by him, but only seven stopped to listen for more than a minute. 

In The Man With the Violin, bestselling author Kathy Stinson has woven a heart-warming story that reminds us all to stop and appreciate the beauty that surrounds us.

Dylan is someone who notices things. His mom is someone who doesn't. So try as he might, Dylan can't get his mom to listen to the man playing the violin in the subway station. But Dylan is swept away by the soaring and swooping notes that fill the air as crowds of oblivious people rush by. With the beautiful music in his head all day long, Dylan can't forget the violinist, and finally succeeds in making his mother stop and listen, too.

Vividly imagined text combined with illustrations that pulse with energy and movement expertly demonstrate the transformative power of music. With an afterword explaining Joshua Bell's story, and a postscript by Joshua Bell himself.

The Man With the Violin, written by Kathy Stinson and illustrated by Dusan Petricic, was first published by Annick Press, Toronto in 2013.

My thoughts as a writer:

The opening line drew me right in. I could tell this was going to be a meaningful story. One of the lovely aspects of this story is that although there’s an underlying message about “paying attention” and it lingers with you after reading, it is never once mentioned in the text.

The language of the story really captures the contrast of the noisy subway and the lyrical music, but it’s really the partnership of the text and illustrations that make this book so successful. Through the creative use of colour and line, the illustrator brings out the contrast between the bustle of the subway and the peaceful moments in the music.

My thoughts as a teacher:

This is a story that may need some discussion during or after reading. I really liked the notes about Joshua Bell and the Postscript written by Joshua Bell. It’s wonderful to have the itunes link included to be able to actually play the music from the story. There is a lot to talk about in the illustrations, and especially about how the illustrator uses line and colour.

Although the age-range for this book is listed as 5-8, older students might also appreciate the meaning behind this book. They might also think about the different ways the author used words to convey different feelings and sounds.

Themes: creativity, culture, appreciating the world around you

Ages: 5 – 8

Grades: K - 3

Possible activities for students:

- create art using line and colour while listening to different types of music

- talk or write about a time that they noticed something interesting that others overlooked

- watch this video about the story behind the book with the author and the illustrator 

- discuss this quote from author Kathy Stinson: “The world’s not a bad place if we pay attention a little bit more.”

If you're looking for more great picture books to read to your class or to investigate as a writer, consider checking out the list of Perfect Picture Books, put together by author Susanna Leonard Hill.