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Violin and Cello Hardcover – Picture Book, 7 September 2022
Purchase options and add-ons
A perfect gift for any young musician! Violin & Cello celebrates musical friends ― with a bonus duet of ‘The Mystery Friends’ for young violinists and cellists to play now!
Children will love this heart-warming story about making music with friends. Violin & Cello follows two young musicians as they discover the secret to who is practising in the apartment next door! This picture book is perfect for young readers beginning to learn an instrument, particularly violin or cello, and for every parent or teacher helping them along the way.
Catherine Greer’s delightful story of musical friends and Joanna Bartel’s intricate, detailed illustrations explore the lives of two young musicians ― a violinist and a cellist ― who live with their families in a large city.
Award-winning Australian composer, Alexander Lau, has composed an original duet for violin and cello, ‘The Mystery Friends’. The score for the allegro and adagio movements of ‘The Mystery Friends’ are printed in the book. This beautiful composition is simple enough to be played by young cellists and violinists.
Readers of every age are sure to shout ‘Encore!’ when they experience this joyful celebration of friendship and classical music.
- Reading age4 - 8 years
- Print length32 pages
- LanguageEnglish
- Dimensions25.4 x 1.91 x 28.58 cm
- PublisherEK Books
- Publication date7 September 2022
- ISBN-101922539279
- ISBN-13978-1922539274
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From the Publisher
Two children, two cultures, two instruments, and one piece of music; included in the book a playable tune by Award-winning Australian composer, Alexander Lau.
Friendship
Perfect for young musicians and their families, Violin & Cello tells the story of two instruments, the practice required to play an instrument and the joy of composing and performing music with friends.
Instruments and Music
Between 45% of children (Australia) and 70% of children (UK) currently play a musical instrument and even more (as many as 9 out of 10) want to learn. Most children begin their classical music education with piano, violin or cello lessons
Culture/Identity
The story explores cultural diversity, life in large cities, musical terms and musical education and friendship.
Inclusion
Award-winning Australian composer, Alexander Lau, has composed an original duet for violin and cello,
“The Mystery Friends.”
The score for the allegro and adagio movements of
“The Mystery Friends” are printed in the book.
Product description
Review
“A beautiful children’s book about two young string players living in an apartment building. One plays the violin, one plays the cello. They play alone. Until, one day, everything changes… Celebrate the joy of friendship and the magic of music in this glorious story that also features an original duet for young musicians to play! A great Christmas present for little ones” - Sydney String Centre
“I absolutely loved this one. It's about a boy and a girl who live in neighbouring apartments but never meet, as one plays the violin and the other the cello. What happens next is a sweet discovery that music is better shared! An added bonus is the book's accompanying musical score by Alexander Lau.” - One More Page Podcast
“For such a seemingly simple book, Violin & Cello covers a lot of territory, exploring cultural diversity, life in large cities, musical terms and musical education and friendship. For me, the cherry on the top is that Lau’s composition is simple enough to be played by young cellists and violinists” - Marjorie Lewis-Jones, South Sydney Herald
“I think kids reading this book will get a real enjoyment from the sense of community it offers.” - Reading With A Chance of Tacos podcast
“We do not know what to love most about Violin & Cello: the charming pictures, encouraging words or the delightful tunes you can learn with your best musical friend?” - Matilda Bookshop
“Not only is this a book about music appreciation, it’s also a book about persistence, friendship, and community. A highlight is the inclusion of two musical scores which eager young musicians will be able to either listen to online or attempt playing in their own place. Bartel’s beautiful colour illustrations and diverse community are the icing on the cake.” - Reading Time (published by The Children’s Book Council of Australia)
“This is a story that will resonate with many young readers and show them that music is indeed a universal language and can indeed act like a magic key, to which the most tightly closed heart opens” - The Bottom Shelf Edu Blog
“Reading this unique picture book with young kids starting to learn an instrument is a lovely way to inspire and encourage. Without any didactic moments, it portrays the dedication and practice that is necessary to learn an instrument, moreover, the scores the young musicians send to each other are reproduced in the book, providing an exciting and practical component to the story for children learning either the violin or cello.” - Picture Book Parents
“The charm of this picture book lies in the joy that the children give and receive when they play music together.” - Booklist
“How thrilling! An author who has thought to include musical children in a story book. The Picture Book Violin & Cello is for younger children who are beginning musicians and facing the idea of practising alone. A fantastic combination of three very talented artists.” - Blue Wolf Reviews
“This is an inspiring story for any child beginning to learn a new instrument.” - Mia Macrossan, Story Links
“This lovely story will creep up on the children as they see the possibilities of the two musicians, living next door to each other, but neither making the first move to share their music.” - ReadPlus
“I loved this book! What an inspirational idea for a story” - trevorcairney.blogspot
Book Description
About the Author
Catherine Greer is an author of fiction and non-fiction, and an age positive advocate.She first collaborated with musician Alexander Lau on Jacaranda Snow (2018), her growth mindset picture book.
Joanna Bartel is a designer and illustrator with experience in Arts education, design, teaching and creative marketing. She particularly loves character design and creating imaginative and playful images to engage children and enhance imaginative learning.
Alexander Lau is a violinist and contemporary classical composer.Alex is also the composer of ‘Jacaranda Snow’, a piano quartet for the growth mindset picture book
Product details
- Publisher : EK Books; 1st edition (7 September 2022)
- Language : English
- Hardcover : 32 pages
- ISBN-10 : 1922539279
- ISBN-13 : 978-1922539274
- Reading age : 4 - 8 years
- Dimensions : 25.4 x 1.91 x 28.58 cm
- Best Sellers Rank: 115,407 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- 339 in Children's Books on Music
- 917 in Beginner Readers for Children
- 2,572 in Children's Books on Friendship (Books)
- Customer Reviews:
About the authors
I'm Catherine Greer -- and I'm so happy you found your way here!
People often ask me what kind of books I write, and it's a tricky question to answer because my work spans fiction and nonfiction for adults, young adults and even children.
I write best-loved nonfiction books in the personal development space, exploring what's important to women: independence, family, relationships, motivation, gratitude and joy. You're so welcome to take a look at THE 10 MINUTE FIX and THE 10 MINUTE FIX JOURNAL. The reviews are lovely and women share multiple copies of my books with friends. SMALL STEPS ARE PERFECT is my latest nonfiction, a book that encourages women to find everyday comfort and joy.
I write novels -- THE BITTERSWEET BAKERY CAFE is my new beautiful, uplifting, big-hearted novel about an outlandishly loveable Aussie beach community, a woman's midlife reinvention and the joy of baking! I've also written a thriller for teens, LOVE LIE REPEAT, about the pressure young girls feel to be perfect.
If you love picture books, I've written two for children, both beautifully illustrated: VIOLIN & CELLO and JACARANDA SNOW.
I have a background in corporate copywriting and teaching, and hold both a Bachelor of Arts Honours degree and a Master of Arts degree in English. Occasionally I offer classes in writing to small groups of new writers.
A little bit about me and my life: I live in Sydney, and I'm Australian-Canadian, having lived the first half of my life in Canada. Every day I walk our curious little shih tzu, Evie, and every evening I trudge to the garage to work out with my husband (reluctantly, but I do it to keep healthy!). I'm a voracious reader and I love to dance -- mostly kitchen dancing -- but I also recently started back at dance classes. Above all, I love to bake and cook for my family, including my two young adult sons.
I read in bed every night and I love writing encouraging stories about women who find their way in the world.
Feel free to reach out anytime. I'm so happy to hear from you! I'm on Instagram @catherinegreerauthor and I send a newsletter every Sunday morning at Love Our Age, my lifestyle website.
Alexander Lau is an emerging contemporary classical composer. He studied composition for six years under Dr Nicholas Vines. Having played violin for 15 years, Alex often writes chamber music for strings. Alexander wrote the two duet works 'Allegro' and 'Adagio' for the picture book 'Violin and Cello'. He is also a member of the Seraphim String Trio, established in 2015. Alex's compositional style is diverse and often changes. Most recently, his works have been influenced by Jazz and American minimalism. Alex is also the composer of ‘Jacaranda Snow’, a piano quartet for the growth mindset picture book, Jacaranda Snow. Alex lives with his family in Sydney and currently studies at the University of New South Wales.
Customer reviews
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Top reviews from Australia
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- Reviewed in Australia on 15 September 2022Verified PurchaseThe magic of music with stunning illustrations! Highly recommended
- Reviewed in Australia on 15 September 2022Verified PurchaseDetailed illustrations are gorgeous.
- Reviewed in Australia on 11 September 2022I picked up this book for my 7 year old. It is a great book and we both enjoyed the writing, illustrations and music.
I would highly recommend this book for your kids
- Reviewed in Australia on 17 September 2022A lovely story, beautifully illustrated and wonderful music by a talented young composer. This book will encourage and inspire budding musicians. I highly recommend this book for primary school aged kids.
- Reviewed in Australia on 7 September 2022This is a well written book perfect for 4-8 year olds especially those who love music. The detailed illustrations are just gorgeous and the music is magic. Highly recommended.
Top reviews from other countries
- Jean McCarthyReviewed in Canada on 19 February 2023
5.0 out of 5 stars Sweet Story & Gorgeous Illustrations
Verified PurchaseA charming tale of neighbours who hear each other practicing music lessons and become secret friends. This story sparked the interest of little ones in my family, who wanted to know more about the instruments and sheet music in the book. We explored the QR link included to listen to the songs - such a great extra!