Synopses & Reviews
The Russian artists Igor Stravinsky and Vaslav Nijinsky were popular in their time: Stravinsky for music, Nijinsky for dance. When their radically new ballet, The Rite of Spring, was first performed in Paris on May 29, 1913, the reaction was so polarized, there were fistfights and riots! Brilliant or disastrous, the performance marked the birth of modern music and dance. Stringerand#8217;s rhythmic text and gloriously inventive, color-rich paintings capture the wild and imaginative collaboration of composer and choreographer. The fascinating author note includes photos of the dynamic duo and The Rite of Spring dancers.
Review
"Rylant is in fine form . . . and Stringer's big, bold acrylic illustrations do a lovely job of amplifying the text." -Kirkus Reviews
"Rylant uses casual, conversational language with simple elegance and pleasing rhythms. . . . Stringer's acrylic paintings are magnificent." -School Library Journal
Review
"This one will make kids want to sit down and listen to the music for themselves."
and#8212;Booklist, starred review
"Music and dance made entertaining and joyous."
and#8212;Kirkus, starred review
and#8220;With music education programs evaporating from classrooms across the country, picture books have had to assume the baton. . . Not many look closely at the art of musical collaboration, and Stringer does that here with imaginative spark and dynamism. . . Itand#8217;s enough to make readers want to put down the book and turn on the music.and#8221;
and#8212;New York Times Online
"Stringer trusts readers with a challenging and exciting account of the transformative power of visionary, risk-taking art."
and#8212;Publishers Weekly, starred review
"Composed with much alliterative, musical language, and onomatopoeia, this narrative flows beautifully. . . This book would be the perfect accompaniment in music lessons exploring the 100th anniversary of the famous work, and may inspire young musicians to create their own and deinitely different work."
and#8212;School Library Journal, starred review
Synopsis
Scarecrows. They perch high above gardens and fields, with borrowed coats and button eyes and pie-pan hands that glint in the sun. What else is there to know about them? Perhaps more than we realize. Newbery Medalist Cynthia Rylantand#8217;s rich and poignant story, powerfully illustrated by Lauren Stringer, will resonate deeply in the hearts of readers, who just might find themselves seeing the world in a whole new way.
Synopsis
The world becomes an extraordinary place when viewed through the eyes of a scarecrow.
They perch high above gardens and fields, with borrowed coats and button eyes and pie-pan hands that glint in the sun. What else is there to know about scarecrows? Perhaps more than we realize. . . .
Synopsis
Composer Stravinsky and choreographer Nijinsky,and#160;Russian comrades,and#160;worked together to bring a very different and new ballet to a Parisian audience--and rioting filled the streets!
About the Author
CYNTHIA RYLANT is a Newbery Medalist and the author of many acclaimed books for young people. She's well known for her popular characters for early readers, including Mr. Putter & Tabby and Henry and Mudge. She lives near Portland, Oregon.
Kids Q&A
Read the Kids' Q&A with Cynthia Rylant