Sylvie and the Songman

Tim Binding's book Sylvie and the Songman is a unique tale that explores the power of music. When Sylvie's father disappears and the birds and animals all begin to lose their voices, Sylvie knows that it is up to her to unravel the mystery and rescue her Dad. George, her best friend, comes along and it does not take long before the dangers of their adventure threaten their safety. The sinister Woodpecker man and his cohorts are hunting them down so they must find refuge with the animals. Sylvie discovers her innate ability to communicate to animals and her special affinity to a fox. These abilities prove useful in their quest to overcome the evil Songman and foil his plan. Sylvie and the Songman was an interesting novel with an unusual story. The plot was complex enough to be interesting to older children and adolescents. Sylvie was a likable character who was courageous and intelligent. I also liked the sinister characters. They helped to create the dangerous and mysterious atmosphere in the book. Tim Binding's novel evidenced an appreciation for nature. His portrayal of animals was very creative. The pencil drawings also added to the enjoyment of the story. I would recommend it because of its complex themes and somewhat bizarre storyline. It is a great example of a creative and unique work of children's literature.

Thirteen-year-old Sylvie Bartram's father is not just any musician in SYLVIE AND THE SONGMAN by Tim Binding. Daniel Bartram is an inventor and composer whose search for that one perfect note leads to more trouble than anyone could have imagined. One night, father and daughter experiment with his homemade instruments and hit an unusual note. The next day, Sylvie comes home from school to find that her father is missing and a mysterious message is on the bathroom mirror. The novel traces Sylvie's and her best friend George's adventures as they set off on a quest to find him. Daniel's note seems to have drawn the attention of the Songman, a mysterious figure who has been stealing the voices of animals. As Sylvie and George search for her father, they must elude The Drummers, a strange old couple who are able to control behavior through the rhythmic beats they create, and the Woodpecker Man. The Woodpecker Man travels in a hot air balloon pulled by swans and accompanied by myriads of green and red birds. Sylvie is aided by Mr. Jackson, her much-loved dog who has lost his voice, and a friendly fox who gives her the ability to understand the language of animals. Sylvie discovers that animals communicate in ways that are much different than humans, and their understanding of the world can help her to see the things around her differently, as well. The adventure undertaken by these two children opens their hearts to realizations that though the adults around them are motivated by a variety of actions which the children do not always see, their parents' love for them is never out of reach. The novel is a lovely story of friendship, love, and belonging. Alongside Binding's captivating text, Angela Barrett's beautiful illustrations bring the characters and story to life. Reviewed by: Theresa L. Stowell

Tim Binding's SYLVIE AND THE SONGMAN tells of a world where music and sound are changing: Sylvie's dog has lost his bark, the birds have stopped singing, and her music-making father has vanished. Sylvie and her best friend, tone deaf George, are thus drawn into the dangerous world of a Songman haunted by Woodpecker Man in his swan-powered balloon - a world where nobody can speak and nothing can sing - in this vivid fantasy of change.