A Winter Concert

I bought this book because, as a piano teacher, I thought it would be a cute book for my students to read while waiting for their lessons. This book is about the power of music. It begins with only black and white drawings, and when a mouse attends a piano concert and the pianist begins to play, splashes of color come out of the piano and color the mouse's whole world. A simple and beautiful book, this is a must-have for music lovers and teachers.

This book is lovely in its simplicity. I keep it in the waiting room of my music studio for students of all ages to read and reflect on. The world needs the messages in this book!

This book show us how the beauty of music can change an individual and his world as he spreads the good news to others. On the Mount of Olives long ago a man taught people how to be happy and content. He told them they were important and that all were loved. When they left their world was never the same. Those that they told about the good news given to them by this man were changed as well. The world took on a new color for them that came in contact with his words. The music and the words in both stories changed the shape of things to come. The world became a different color afterwards and a better place to live in. (Rev. Sammons)

A Winter Concert is a wordless book with simple evocative illustrations that speak for themselves. There are some delightful surprises within the cover.I was not sure that my kindergarten classes would understand the story line; however, the children appreciated the reaction of the mice to the concert as much as I did. I love the way Takao draws the reader into the story begging to be "read" again. As I reread A Winter Concert, I realized that other art forms produce a similar effect on their admirers. I have given it to a musical family whose mother recently passed away.I believe adults and children will enjoy this one.

A Winter Concert is wonderful. Visually, it captivates the reader with sweet visions of cute mice, beautiful music, and the emotions that it can stir within each of us. We are able to see through Takao's fantastic illistration how the joy of music can spread from the concert hall to the world. Wonderful for adults and children, this is one I will never grow tired of.