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40 pp.
| Abrams
| May, 2017
|
TradeISBN 978-1-4197-2299-8$17.95
(2)
K-3
A banjo-picking, bearded fisherman sails the seas alone. When an injured bird appears on deck, he bandages its wing; his tidy cabin contains a cozy sock drawer for his new friend. But it's getting colder. The fisherman changes course, sailing south to bring his companion home. Newcomer Duncan's eye for detail adds depth to this gentle friendship tale. The text, meanwhile, is spare and well paced.
Reviewer: Robin L. Smith
| Horn Book Magazine Issue:
May, 2017
(3)
4-6
Jeremiah's nouveau riche parents want only the best for their gawky son--private school plus lessons in etiquette, dancing, art, and piano. When Jeremiah hears a banjo playing, he becomes obsessed with following his true destiny. Fagan's straightforward, nondidactic narrative hints at the fact that individualism has its own rewards. An appended author's note encourages readers to build their own banjos.
40 pp.
| Candlewick/Templar
| March, 2010
|
TradeISBN 978-0-7636-4788-9$16.99
(4)
K-3
The Django, a mischievous creature, causes all sorts of trouble, destroying Pa's banjo, for starters. Of course, it's always Jean who gets the blame. Tired of the Django's antics, Jean orders it to leave--but soon misses it. The story's connection to jazz musician Django Reinhardt, explained in the author's note, is tenuous at best. Watercolor illustrations, the book's highlight, are full of emotion and character.
32 pp.
| Houghton
| November, 2006
|
TradeISBN 0-618-33603-6$16.00
(3)
PS
Illustrated by
Barry Root.
When Granny hears that her grandbaby goes "wiggly, jiggly, all-around giggly" over bluegrass music, she packs her banjo, dons her thousand-mile shoes, and heads for a visit. The warm watercolor, gouache, and pastel-pencil illustrations depict different scenes from Granny's journey and baby Owen eagerly awaiting her arrival. An author's note gives information about bluegrass music; music for "Owen's Song" is included.