Gabriella's Song

I got this book from the libary for my 3 year old son. And we renewed it twice then had to return it. He was asking constantly for Gabriella. So, I just broke down and bought it. It's a beautifully written story about music. Her words have such an eloquence to them. I would highly recommend it to anyone.

There are so many elements that make this a truly lovely book. My daughter and I love Giselle Potter's illustration and when she is teamed with Candace Fleming they make the perfect combination. The storyline is original and interesting with Gabriella finding music in the sounds of everyday life. Her relationship with the people she meets each day and particularly her mother are loving, warm and sweet. And I really appreciate how Gabriella and her friends all have something to contribute and the composer takes their musicality and incorporates into his symphony - and they are thrilled! The language and repetition Fleming uses to describe the musical sounds of the neighbourhood are instantly recognisable and stimulating, encouraging little people to find their own "songs". The illustrations are divine - the colours so conjure up the light and antiquity of Italy and I find the rounded faces and bodies of Potter's Gabriella so appealing. Highly recommended, particularly for those parents and children who find pleasure in music and the gentle side of life. As with Agnes Caws this book provides an endearing and strong young girl heroine, interested in creativity, people and her environment.

This is such an enchanting, smart and magic little book. It has all the elements I look for in a book for the kids I read to. Through it kids can learn about another city (a quite a wonderful one at that), the power of music and the charm and love commen people of a town can provide for each other. I have read a lot of kids books and this one is really, really special.

Candace Fleming's prose sings, and you cannot help but be transported to another place by Gisele Potter's charming illustrations.

The opening lines of this book hooked me: "Ah, Venice. The Piazza San Marco. The Grand Canal. St. Mark's Cathedral." This is the way to inspire a child to look outside his neighborhood! Gabriella's Song is a wonderful, richly textured book about how music is inspired and passed from person to person. My 3-year old, a music lover, enjoyed this book on the first read!