From School Library Journal Gr 2–5—Based on a true story, this picture book relates an uplifting tale of how music can help people rise above the horror of war. Twenty-five years ago, civil war raged in Sarajevo. A young boy, Drasko, helps his father sell flowers in the market square. He watches as his father speaks to everyone, regardless of ethnicity or religion, in a country where civil war has pitted various cultures against one another. When his father leaves to join the fighting, Drasko continues at the flower stand. In the square, as people wait in line at the bakery for bread, a bomb is dropped, and 22 people are killed. The next day, and for the following 22 days, a tuxedoed cellist appears in the square and plays music to honor the dead. McCutcheon tells the story through the eyes of young Drasko, who realizes how the beauty of this unexpected music inspires feelings of hope that help to counter the sorrows of war. In response to the music, Drasko does not sell his flowers but gives them away: "Today they are free." Caldwell has framed the central actions of the story and the faces in the crowded market square in beautiful, rich colors against the somewhat faded and blurred background. The flowers, a symbol of hope, are prominently displayed. The classical setting of the architecture of the square deftly contrasts with the upheaval of a society at war, as depicted by the crater left from the bombing. Text and illustrations work together to remind readers of the power of beauty in the face of human suffering. Appended are historical notes. A CD includes an audio version of the tale, narrated by the author, and a musical performance by the story's cellist. VERDICT A highly recommended book that highlights the capacity for empathy and humanity, even in a society faced with violence and war.—Carole Phillips, Greenacres Elementary School, Scarsdale, NY Read more Review “Moving… A bittersweet account of the power of art in dark times.”“Text and illustrations work together to remind readers of the power of beauty in the face of human suffering…. A highly recommended book that highlights the capacity for empathy and humanity, even in a society faced with violence and war.”“Beauty will always find a way to rise from violence, but this is a reminder all readers need.”“[A] powerful story of a musical performance that defied the horror of combat.” Read more About the Author John McCutcheon is an accomplished instrumentalist, singer, and songwriter. He has received multiple Grammy nominations and numerous other awards, and regularly appears on National Public Radio. He lives in Georgia.Kristy Caldwell received an MFA in Illustration from the School of Visual Arts. She lives in New York. Read more
A**R
A poignant and beautiful children's book
I love the illustrations and the story. I adore this particular performance of the Albinoni Adagio that accompanies the book. What a great way to introduce young people to a sad chapter in human history, while providing them with hope and faith in the basic goodness of human beings. Telling the story from the perspective of a young boy who has to grow up quickly in a time of war was a stroke of genius on the part of the author.
S**N
Courage and Hope
Without being overly sentimental, this book lets young readers experience real courage and offers them a strategy for finding hope. It should be in every elementary classroom.
D**N
Five Stars
Loved it!
M**E
Great copy .
I am very pleased with the condition of this book.
D**K
Great Book Source
Great book and supplier. 100% satisfied
D**E
Informative and inspiring
In the market square of Sarajevo is the flower stall of Milo. Drasko is his son and trains with his father to sniff out the best roses. Milo teaches his son that despite all the differences between the people that live in Sarajevo, that just like flowers, they can live side by side and be beautiful.When war comes to the country, Drasko is left alone to tend the flower stall while his father goes to fight. People become bad-tempered and poor Milo is pushed into the worst corner of the square. The only bright spot is that he is near where the orchestra practices, and when they leave their windows open, he can hear their beautiful music. His memories take him to happy times spent with his father.One day, as the church bells ring out at ten o'clock, a bomb is dropped in the market, hitting the bakery where people are standing in line for bread. Twenty-two people die. The next day, Milo finds the market square still and empty. Until 10 O'clock, when the door to the orchestra hall opens and a man steps outside, a cello and folding chair in hand.The man walks over to the rubble of the bakery and sets up his chair to play. (At the end of the book you learn this is Vedran Smailovic and a brief bio is given of his life.) He plays his cello and all, regardless of race or religion, stop to listen. He does this every day for twenty-two days. Each day, the market begins to return to life, and soon, Milo is selling flowers again as people begin to look forward with hope.This is such a beautiful story, and when I got to the end of the book and found out it was inspired by real events I felt awe. The back pages contain several items, including a map of the Balkan area and how it has changed over the years because of war. Then, there is the author's note, which explains the true story of Vedran Smailovic playing in the market and why it inspired him to write the book. The following pages contain the bio of Smailovic and an original song written by the author entitled, Streets of Sarajevo.This is definitely a topic for older children since it involves war, death, and loss, but also hope. The illustrations range in color, expressing the feeling of the people. At first, they are bright and the flowers compliment the market. However, as war happens, they become mostly gray and depressing, except for the images of the flowers Milo tries to sell. When hope is brought back to the market, color once again takes its main place on the page.This is a thought-provoking read that I think parents and kids need to share together. I'm giving it 4 stars!
P**X
I'm not sure I'll ever really look at roses or listen to cello music the same way again
I HAD to read this book because I've spent time in Bosnia and Croatia and my father has spent some significant time there helping in the post-war rebuilding efforts.First, I was really glad at the end there was a large history lesson given to properly put this story in context. I found it to be informative, easy to read and understand as well as very powerful once you stop to think about what the story was saying. I really want to give the little boy a hug and buy dozens of his flowers now....It is a kids book with adorable illustrations but for anyone not familiar with this area of the world, the story talks about a bombing which killed people. If you're a caregiver who doesn't believe in exposing your child to 'violence' then you may not like this book. For everyone else this is a fantastic book to not only teach a little bit about history but an excellent way to open the conversation to death and other hard topics including what could your child do to help others in their time of grief.I have 2 daughters with autism and have found books similar to these have been very helpful in talking about otherwise difficult subjects with them.This book perfectly captured the spirit of the people and left me in tears at the simplicity and beauty pouring forth from its pages. I immediately had to go to Amazon and pre-order a copy for my dad to read to his grandkids. In America with its extreme divisiveness this book is a much needed lesson in how people of different backgrounds can still find common ground to be there for one another. Coming from an Irish family it's a lesson that has taken us quite a while to learn as well so it may be more of something that is needed across the globe rather than in pockets which just goes to show the true beauty of this story in that it's adaptable across all cultures.
Trustpilot
2 days ago
4 days ago
