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【中商原版】绘本 钢琴演奏会 宫越晓子 日文原版 ピアノはっぴょうかい みやこしあきこ Bronze 儿童绘本
It's the day of Momo's first piano recital. As she nervously waits for her turn to play, she tells herself, "I'll be okay ... I'll be okay ..." Then she hears a voice nearby, also saying, "I'll be okay ... I'll be okay ..." It's a mouseling! And the little mouse is nervous about her first performance, too. The mouseling invites Momo through a small door backstage, where Momo is amazed to find a miniature theater filled with an audience of finely dressed mice there to watch singers, dancers and circus performers! When it's the mouseling's turn, Momo agrees to accompany her on piano. The mouse audience is so appreciative! But then, as she rises to take her bow, Momo is surprised to discover - it isn't a mouse audience at all!
Here's another magical, dreamlike picture book from Akiko Miyakoshi, the multi-award-winning and internationally bestselling author-illustrator. The imaginative narrative is woven around the common childhood experience of anxiety, felt by performers but also by every child who faces a new life challenge. Momo serves as a wonderful example to children, using the power of her imagination to understand and work through her feelings. Even the youngest readers will be able to follow this story through the beautiful and fantastically detailed illustrations, which perfectly capture Momo's emotions as she transitions from the real to the imagined and back again.
Here's another magical, dreamlike picture book from Akiko Miyakoshi, the multi-award-winning and internationally bestselling author-illustrator. The imaginative narrative is woven around the common childhood experience of anxiety, felt by performers but also by every child who faces a new life challenge. Momo serves as a wonderful example to children, using the power of her imagination to understand and work through her feelings. Even the youngest readers will be able to follow this story through the beautiful and fantastically detailed illustrations, which perfectly capture Momo's emotions as she transitions from the real to the imagined and back again.
JP Oversized
First published May 1, 2012
About the author
Akiko Miyakoshi
16 books114 followersAkiko Miyakoshi (1982–) was born in Saitama Prefecture, and graduated from the Department of Visual Communication Design at Musashino Art University. Her picture book Taifū ga kuru (Typhoon Comes) won the Nissan Children’s Storybook and Picture Book Grand Prix in 2009, and her Mori no oku no ochakai e (The Tea Party in the Woods) garnered the Japan Picture Book Awards Grand Prize in 2011. Her other works include Piano no happyōkai (Piano Recital) and Kore dare no? (Whose Is This?).
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 80 reviews
August 29, 2019
4.5★
“The recital has started.
Momo’s heart is racing.
I’ll be okay … I’ll be okay.
She holds on tightly to her sheet music.”
Little Momo is terrified of her very first piano recital. She's one of the smallest children waiting her turn to play. We can just see her behind the curtains behind the piano.
The teacher smiles and encourages the children.
Momo watches nervously from the wings, telling herself she’ll be okay.
Momo hides behind the curtains.
Momo hears a voice and looks down to see a little mouseling, who tells her there is another recital in another hall.
A mouseling invites Momo to their mouse recital.
They crawl through a tiny door into another recital hall full of mice, all dressed up to watch a concert. There are mice dancing and singing and performing tricks and magic acts. Momo hears the mouseling worry about whether she will do well singing.
Momo counsels the mouseling.
“‘You’ll be okay,’ Momo reassures her. ‘I’ll go with you onstage.’
The mouseling’s face lights up. Momo’s own racing heart and worries are long forgotten.”
Momo plays the piano while the mouseling sings.
To her surprise, when Momo looks up after playing, she is in the real recital hall in front of the real audience!
Momo sees the real people applauding her performance!
She’s sure she can hear the mice clapping too!
What a delicious little story! The illustrations are wispy and dreamy with hints of colour here and there. Momo’s dress is distinctively red, while some of the clothing on the mice has light washes of aqua and pink. The action in the mouse recital is lively and vibrant, and it’s easy to see how a little girl’s imagination has taken over to conquer her nerves.
Children will have fun pointing out and talking about the various mice performing acrobatics and dancing. And they can see the different expressions on Momo’s face as she relaxes while helping someone else overcome their fears.
Thanks to NetGalley and Kids Can Press for the preview copy from which I’ve copied just a few pictures to give you a taste of the style.
“The recital has started.
Momo’s heart is racing.
I’ll be okay … I’ll be okay.
She holds on tightly to her sheet music.”
Little Momo is terrified of her very first piano recital. She's one of the smallest children waiting her turn to play. We can just see her behind the curtains behind the piano.
The teacher smiles and encourages the children.
Momo watches nervously from the wings, telling herself she’ll be okay.
Momo hides behind the curtains.
Momo hears a voice and looks down to see a little mouseling, who tells her there is another recital in another hall.
A mouseling invites Momo to their mouse recital.
They crawl through a tiny door into another recital hall full of mice, all dressed up to watch a concert. There are mice dancing and singing and performing tricks and magic acts. Momo hears the mouseling worry about whether she will do well singing.
Momo counsels the mouseling.
“‘You’ll be okay,’ Momo reassures her. ‘I’ll go with you onstage.’
The mouseling’s face lights up. Momo’s own racing heart and worries are long forgotten.”
Momo plays the piano while the mouseling sings.
To her surprise, when Momo looks up after playing, she is in the real recital hall in front of the real audience!
Momo sees the real people applauding her performance!
She’s sure she can hear the mice clapping too!
What a delicious little story! The illustrations are wispy and dreamy with hints of colour here and there. Momo’s dress is distinctively red, while some of the clothing on the mice has light washes of aqua and pink. The action in the mouse recital is lively and vibrant, and it’s easy to see how a little girl’s imagination has taken over to conquer her nerves.
Children will have fun pointing out and talking about the various mice performing acrobatics and dancing. And they can see the different expressions on Momo’s face as she relaxes while helping someone else overcome their fears.
Thanks to NetGalley and Kids Can Press for the preview copy from which I’ve copied just a few pictures to give you a taste of the style.
October 23, 2019
A charming story with original artwork. Momo is about to perform in her first piano recital ever. As you can imagine, she is dealing with a severe case of stage fright. I loved the way the illustrations used very sombre gray, black and white colours, as if Momo's anxiety does not allow her to see the world's true colours. Suddenly, a little mouse, also dressed up elegantly, speaks to Momo and invites her to her own recital where she is supposed to sing. Momo is enjoying the concert, clapping enthusiastically together with the audience of mice. She helps the little mouseling by playing the piano to accompany the little one's song. When Momo finishes playing, she realizes it was her own recital and she did really well.
The illustrations had beautiful dreamlike quality which is very fitting for the world of theatre and performance.
Thank you to Edelweiss and Kids Can Press for the review copy provided in exchange for an honest opinion.
The illustrations had beautiful dreamlike quality which is very fitting for the world of theatre and performance.
Thank you to Edelweiss and Kids Can Press for the review copy provided in exchange for an honest opinion.
June 29, 2019
What a sweet sweet book about little Momo, her first piano recital, and a kind mouseling who helps calm her nerves.
MINIATURE WORLD
The imaginative story entrances as the mouseling invites anxious Momo into a miniature world with a tiny theater, a fine audience of mice, and a stage filled with dancers, singers, and circus performers.
RESPITE FROM FEAR
Momo accompanies the singing mouseling, then finds as she stands for a bow that she’s actually just finished her real recital, her mind providing respite from fear through imagination. But oh what darling illustrations, the mice audience precious with some holding hands, others flowers, still others programs. Enchanting! 5/5
Pub Date 03 Sep 2019.
Thanks to Akiko Miyakoshi, Kids Can Press and NetGalley for the ARC. Opinions are mine.
#ThePianoRecital #NetGalley
MINIATURE WORLD
The imaginative story entrances as the mouseling invites anxious Momo into a miniature world with a tiny theater, a fine audience of mice, and a stage filled with dancers, singers, and circus performers.
RESPITE FROM FEAR
Momo accompanies the singing mouseling, then finds as she stands for a bow that she’s actually just finished her real recital, her mind providing respite from fear through imagination. But oh what darling illustrations, the mice audience precious with some holding hands, others flowers, still others programs. Enchanting! 5/5
Pub Date 03 Sep 2019.
Thanks to Akiko Miyakoshi, Kids Can Press and NetGalley for the ARC. Opinions are mine.
#ThePianoRecital #NetGalley
September 22, 2019
In this, my fourth book from Akiko Miyakoshi, Momo is nervously awaiting her turn at the piano recital. Preparation and praise don’t take this feeling away. And then a tiny backstage visitor invites her to the mouseling concert going on just through this wee crack in the wall. And then all becomes wonderful as Momo enjoys others having joy in performance of all types. In the end, these mouse-world distractions do their job well and Momo is ready for her recital.
As in her past books, the art work is beautiful and a meaningful part of the story. Unlike past books, there is a more liberal use of color, especially in the mouse world. Momo herself is easily found on a page in her red dress among a wash of shades of gray and black. This I think of as a Miyakoshi trademark, a swirl of red in a white and black and gray picture. The scenes of the mouse performance, including pictures of the seated audience, includes a wider breadth of color than Momo’s world. I wonder...does this reflect the power of the world of the imagination? But there is no need to wonder, only to enjoy this book with a child you know. And you will. And I recommend Miyakoshi’s other books too which I have reviewed previously.
A copy of this book was provided by the publisher through NetGalley in return for an honest review.
As in her past books, the art work is beautiful and a meaningful part of the story. Unlike past books, there is a more liberal use of color, especially in the mouse world. Momo herself is easily found on a page in her red dress among a wash of shades of gray and black. This I think of as a Miyakoshi trademark, a swirl of red in a white and black and gray picture. The scenes of the mouse performance, including pictures of the seated audience, includes a wider breadth of color than Momo’s world. I wonder...does this reflect the power of the world of the imagination? But there is no need to wonder, only to enjoy this book with a child you know. And you will. And I recommend Miyakoshi’s other books too which I have reviewed previously.
A copy of this book was provided by the publisher through NetGalley in return for an honest review.
June 30, 2020
Charmingly drawn in muted colors. On Momo’s first day of her piano recital, she is quite nervous until she meets a more nervous mouse and is invited to watch the mice perform. Her imagination overcomes her fears in this magical performance.
November 22, 2019
A little girl prepares to play piano at a concert. She is nervous before she goes on stage but sees a mouse that leads her to a parallel mouse concert complete with mouse orchestra. After squeezing herself into the back of their hall she watches their performances culminating in a piano recital. Looking up she realises she is on stage and she has finished playing her piece.
There are beautiful illustrations in this book, I really enjoy this illustrator's work. The only thing about the illustrations I don't like the way this illustrator does human faces, dot eyes and cartoon mouths whereas the animal faces are perfectly realistic, I find it an odd mix. I also don't like to reinforce the idea of nervousness to a child, children hear this non stop before a performance but it was a nice idea of taking your mind away from something worrying by imagining something nice.The idea of going into a mouse world is lovely and the scenes of the mouse orchestra are beautiful.
There are beautiful illustrations in this book, I really enjoy this illustrator's work. The only thing about the illustrations I don't like the way this illustrator does human faces, dot eyes and cartoon mouths whereas the animal faces are perfectly realistic, I find it an odd mix. I also don't like to reinforce the idea of nervousness to a child, children hear this non stop before a performance but it was a nice idea of taking your mind away from something worrying by imagining something nice.The idea of going into a mouse world is lovely and the scenes of the mouse orchestra are beautiful.
June 29, 2019
This is simply adorable! I first encountered this author's work in
The Tea Party in the Woods
. This book features a similar illustration style (although it's a little less creepy in spots), with lots of black-and-white drawings and touches of colour. In this story, Momo is preparing for her turn at the piano recital. She's very nervous. But someone else is nervous, too. She looks down and sees a mouse in a fancy dress who's preparing for her own recital. The mouse invites Momo to watch the murine performance, and to help her new friend, Momo offers to accompany her on the piano. At the end, we find out that Momo has actually been performing for the human audience, having used her imagination to overcome her anxiety.
I really like the pictures in this. The mouse theatre is especially charming, with all the dressed-up mice filling the seats. Perhaps understandably (given that it's in Momo's imagination), there's more colour in these scenes; in the "real world", the only pops of colour are Momo's red dress and her pink cheeks.
I enjoyed this book more than The Tea Party in the Woods, partly because of the relatable story, partly because of the illustrations. I'd recommend this one to those looking for books about performance anxiety, who enjoy talking-animal fantasies, or who simply want a good story.
Thank you to NetGalley and Kids Can Press for providing a digital ARC.
I really like the pictures in this. The mouse theatre is especially charming, with all the dressed-up mice filling the seats. Perhaps understandably (given that it's in Momo's imagination), there's more colour in these scenes; in the "real world", the only pops of colour are Momo's red dress and her pink cheeks.
I enjoyed this book more than The Tea Party in the Woods, partly because of the relatable story, partly because of the illustrations. I'd recommend this one to those looking for books about performance anxiety, who enjoy talking-animal fantasies, or who simply want a good story.
Thank you to NetGalley and Kids Can Press for providing a digital ARC.
November 1, 2019
Feeling quite nervous on the day of her first piano recital, young Momo is waiting in the wings for her turn when she spies an equally nervous little mouseling, who is also about to perform. Of course, the mouseling is due to perform in a miniature theater behind the walls of the human one in which Momo will be playing. Soon Momo has found her way to that theater, guided by her new murine friend, and in watching the many little mouse performers, and helping her new friend overcome her stage fright, she forgets her own. In fact, so absorbed is she in the experience (this daydream?) that she only comes to as she finished her piano piece on stage...
Originally published in Japan in 2012, and translated into English this year (2019), The Piano Recital is the fourth picture-book I have read from the immensely talented author/illustrator, Akiko Miyakoshi. Having greatly enjoyed such titles as The Tea Party in the Woods and The Way Home in the Night , I have eagerly anticipated the arrival of this book, and once I did have the chance to read it, was not disappointed! As always with Miyakoshi, the artwork - done in pencil, charcoal and acrylic gouache - was simply lovely, capturing the emotion and enchantment of the story perfectly. The story, too, was enchanting, with that surrealist sense of fantasy that seems to characterize its creator's work. I liked that Momo's experiences at the mouse theater could be interpreted either as a day-dream, or as an actual fantastic occurrence. Either way, it helped her to deal with her own fear, so in that sense, it was real. Recommended to fellow Miyakoshi fans, and to anyone looking for beautiful picture-books about young musicians, overcoming stage fright, or experiencing magical things.
Originally published in Japan in 2012, and translated into English this year (2019), The Piano Recital is the fourth picture-book I have read from the immensely talented author/illustrator, Akiko Miyakoshi. Having greatly enjoyed such titles as The Tea Party in the Woods and The Way Home in the Night , I have eagerly anticipated the arrival of this book, and once I did have the chance to read it, was not disappointed! As always with Miyakoshi, the artwork - done in pencil, charcoal and acrylic gouache - was simply lovely, capturing the emotion and enchantment of the story perfectly. The story, too, was enchanting, with that surrealist sense of fantasy that seems to characterize its creator's work. I liked that Momo's experiences at the mouse theater could be interpreted either as a day-dream, or as an actual fantastic occurrence. Either way, it helped her to deal with her own fear, so in that sense, it was real. Recommended to fellow Miyakoshi fans, and to anyone looking for beautiful picture-books about young musicians, overcoming stage fright, or experiencing magical things.
October 14, 2019
This story deals with an issue that all children deal with sometime during their life, anxiety. Momo is a small girl dressed in a beautiful dress, awaiting her turn to play at the recital. She is very scared and anxious until she meets a little mouse also scared about singing at her recital. Momo goes with her to the mouse concert hall and assures the mouseling that she will play for her while she sings. When the song is over, Momo looks up and realizes she has just played at her own recital.
This is a cute story about facing your anxiety, using your imagination to get over your nerves and overcoming your fear. The illustrations are wonderful. When at the mouse concert hall, there is so much going on that my grandson kept asking me to turn back so he could look at that page some more. I enjoy the illustrations which are a lot of black and white with splashes of colour, such as Momo's dress, except when in the mouse world, which is part of Momo's imagination, it is full of colour. This would make a great story for those who suffer performance anxiety, those with a good imagination, or anyone who just wants a fun story. The publisher generously provided me with a copy of this book upon request. The rating, ideas and opinions shared are my own
This is a cute story about facing your anxiety, using your imagination to get over your nerves and overcoming your fear. The illustrations are wonderful. When at the mouse concert hall, there is so much going on that my grandson kept asking me to turn back so he could look at that page some more. I enjoy the illustrations which are a lot of black and white with splashes of colour, such as Momo's dress, except when in the mouse world, which is part of Momo's imagination, it is full of colour. This would make a great story for those who suffer performance anxiety, those with a good imagination, or anyone who just wants a fun story. The publisher generously provided me with a copy of this book upon request. The rating, ideas and opinions shared are my own
September 29, 2019
Beautifully written and illustrated concept of overcoming fear in front of a large audience.
I read the English translation.
Momo is waiting backstage to perform at her very first piano recital, repeating to herself "I'll be okay.... I'll be okay", she is suddenly surprised to see a mouseling inviting her to attend a performance backstage - mice performing on a beautiful stage, Momo and her guide sit in the back of the auditorium watching.... Before Momo knows what's happened...… Well, YOU have to read the story!
I read the English translation.
Momo is waiting backstage to perform at her very first piano recital, repeating to herself "I'll be okay.... I'll be okay", she is suddenly surprised to see a mouseling inviting her to attend a performance backstage - mice performing on a beautiful stage, Momo and her guide sit in the back of the auditorium watching.... Before Momo knows what's happened...… Well, YOU have to read the story!
October 27, 2020
Beautiful illustrations and sweet story to overcome fear.
October 24, 2019
*received from netgalley for honest review* I LOVE the art in this book! This book is so cute and if you like the mouse circus in Coraline you will love the art in this book! The story is pretty simple imo but art more than makes up for it and the story is still cute.
September 9, 2019
5🌟
*I was provided with a copy of this book by Edelweiss. Thank you very much!*
This little graphic novel stirred some major nostalgia into me. As a little girl, just like Momo, I used to give piano recitals. I was very nervous, as I still am every time I have to play. My teacher used to say exactly what Momo's teacher said, "Just play how you've practiced". Honestly, that isn't good advice because practicing and performing are two very different things but don't get me started on that.
Momo imagines a world of mice performing all sorts of acts, from circus acts to ballerinas. It was wonderful seeing this little girl in a world of mice because suddenly she wasn't so little, she wasn't unnoticeable, and she wasn't alone.
The mousling appearance might be like the well-known flight response to her stage fright. It the face of fear, people would rather escape to some other place.
I liked the use of colors and non-colors in this. The color is just used as an accent of Momo's view of the world. It felt very fitting, like the whole art in this book.
I recommend this for every child and for adults who took piano classes like me. It was a great book to spark that memory.
*I was provided with a copy of this book by Edelweiss. Thank you very much!*
This little graphic novel stirred some major nostalgia into me. As a little girl, just like Momo, I used to give piano recitals. I was very nervous, as I still am every time I have to play. My teacher used to say exactly what Momo's teacher said, "Just play how you've practiced". Honestly, that isn't good advice because practicing and performing are two very different things but don't get me started on that.
Momo imagines a world of mice performing all sorts of acts, from circus acts to ballerinas. It was wonderful seeing this little girl in a world of mice because suddenly she wasn't so little, she wasn't unnoticeable, and she wasn't alone.
The mousling appearance might be like the well-known flight response to her stage fright. It the face of fear, people would rather escape to some other place.
I liked the use of colors and non-colors in this. The color is just used as an accent of Momo's view of the world. It felt very fitting, like the whole art in this book.
I recommend this for every child and for adults who took piano classes like me. It was a great book to spark that memory.
September 3, 2019
The Piano Recital by Akiko Miyakoshi is a beautifully rendered tale of finding strength in the power of imagination and wonder. Brought to life through glorious illustrations, this book is simply charm personified.
Young Momo is awaiting her turn to perform at the piano recital. As she struggles with her nerves, a mouseling appears, and invites Momo to join the mice in their very own performance of song, dance, and acrobatics. Momo, and certainly the reader, are enchanted by the spectacle and, while accompanying one of the mice on the piano, Momo becomes aware that she has unknowingly completed her own recital without fear.
This is a thoroughly delightful book with a message that is truly universal. The imagination is a powerful tool, and should always be fostered, at any age. I would recommend this book most highly.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Kids Can Press for this ARC.
Young Momo is awaiting her turn to perform at the piano recital. As she struggles with her nerves, a mouseling appears, and invites Momo to join the mice in their very own performance of song, dance, and acrobatics. Momo, and certainly the reader, are enchanted by the spectacle and, while accompanying one of the mice on the piano, Momo becomes aware that she has unknowingly completed her own recital without fear.
This is a thoroughly delightful book with a message that is truly universal. The imagination is a powerful tool, and should always be fostered, at any age. I would recommend this book most highly.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Kids Can Press for this ARC.
October 4, 2019
I received this ARC from the publisher through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
As a music teacher, I really wanted to likes this book. I had hoped for one that would be a great starting point for a discussion about being nervous when you perform. Unfortunately, this was a little too far fetched, and though Momo overcame her nerves, she never really dealt with them and the story fell flat for me.
As a music teacher, I really wanted to likes this book. I had hoped for one that would be a great starting point for a discussion about being nervous when you perform. Unfortunately, this was a little too far fetched, and though Momo overcame her nerves, she never really dealt with them and the story fell flat for me.
June 30, 2019
The illustrations of this book were amazing! I really really like the art! The story was also good, even if I find it a bit too light for my taste, it was charming and entertaining so it was alright. A good book!
November 7, 2019
I’ll be okay…I’ll be okay, Momo (short for Momoko?) reassures herself as she waits in the wings for her turn on the piano for her very first recital. It’s then that she hears someone else speaking the same mantra. The question as to whether the mouseling—another small, shy creature-- and what follows is real is a question I only pondered after the read. Miyakoshi was so smooth and convincing in her transition to and from the mouseling that I didn’t think to ask. It doesn’t hurt that surrendering to Miyakoshi’s storytelling and animal-friendly world hasn’t led me wrong in her The Way Home at Night and The Tea Party in the Woods. I enjoy her imagination.
The story is rendered primarily in pencil and charcoal. The red acrylic gouache reserved for Momo’s dress and the Mouseling’s dress. (Their dresses are a marvel.) Reds and pinks are absent from the stage and characters in the human-occupied spaces…except Momo’s cheeks. Adding the hues to the mouses’ theater and performances adds to their vivid aspect; a lively, more intimate and interactive recital. Notice how the mice interact with one another versus the glimpse of the human audience.
The presence of the mice distract and soothe; Momo empathizing with the mouseling’s nerves. Her desire to accompany the mouseling, so she doesn’t have to perform alone speaks to a source of their anxiety—and brings the attention to the singular pronoun of *I’ll* be okay… Momo’s presence bolsters courage in the other…and vice versa, we find.
Miyakoshi is an interesting storyteller, even beyond her gorgeous visuals. Her work is always one I look forward to experiencing.
Van Allsburg comes to mind, with how photo-realistic aspects of the pencil, and charcoal, shadow and light. Miyakoshi’s use of light and shadow is enthralling.
The story is rendered primarily in pencil and charcoal. The red acrylic gouache reserved for Momo’s dress and the Mouseling’s dress. (Their dresses are a marvel.) Reds and pinks are absent from the stage and characters in the human-occupied spaces…except Momo’s cheeks. Adding the hues to the mouses’ theater and performances adds to their vivid aspect; a lively, more intimate and interactive recital. Notice how the mice interact with one another versus the glimpse of the human audience.
The presence of the mice distract and soothe; Momo empathizing with the mouseling’s nerves. Her desire to accompany the mouseling, so she doesn’t have to perform alone speaks to a source of their anxiety—and brings the attention to the singular pronoun of *I’ll* be okay… Momo’s presence bolsters courage in the other…and vice versa, we find.
Miyakoshi is an interesting storyteller, even beyond her gorgeous visuals. Her work is always one I look forward to experiencing.
Van Allsburg comes to mind, with how photo-realistic aspects of the pencil, and charcoal, shadow and light. Miyakoshi’s use of light and shadow is enthralling.
August 30, 2019
A charming picture story with imagination and the addressing of a common childhood ailment: stage-fright. As a mom of 3 children all taking various music lessons, I’ve had to understand how differently performing affects each of them. For those children who get nervous or truly afraid, I like how this story confronts that on two fronts. Miyakoshi first shows the imagination as a tool to distract from a fear and even make it fun; but more so, with Momo helping the mousling with her OWN fear, she shows hows taking our minds off of ourselves in order to help others can really help to conquer fear. (Parents might notice how this parallels ways in which we help children with homesickness when at camp or school - give them a way to help another kid.)
The illustrations were also moderately delightful. I appreciated several of the two page spreads with no text where children are given the opportunity to continue the story with their own imaginations.
I received a copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for a fair review. All opinions are entirely my own.
The illustrations were also moderately delightful. I appreciated several of the two page spreads with no text where children are given the opportunity to continue the story with their own imaginations.
I received a copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for a fair review. All opinions are entirely my own.
August 7, 2020
A story first published in Japan in 2012, now available in English.
Momo is nervous about taking center stage for her first piano recital when she feels a tug on her stockings. There is a small mouseling, who invites Momo to come see her perform. Momo proceeds and is delighted by all she sees at the mouseling's program - acrobats, dancing, magic, a ballerina, and her friend. She is surprised when the mouseling's performance comes to an end.
Miyakoshi's story is fanciful and delightful. The translation is very smooth and easy. The artwork rendered in pencil, charcoal and acrylic gouache is dreamy and point perfect. Momo's world is all in black and white, with her red performance dress adding the only color - until she meets the mouseling and enters her colorful world.
This little bit of magical fantasy is perfect to help take the edge off and calm the nerves of an anxious performer.
Recommended for PreSchool-grade 3.
Momo is nervous about taking center stage for her first piano recital when she feels a tug on her stockings. There is a small mouseling, who invites Momo to come see her perform. Momo proceeds and is delighted by all she sees at the mouseling's program - acrobats, dancing, magic, a ballerina, and her friend. She is surprised when the mouseling's performance comes to an end.
Miyakoshi's story is fanciful and delightful. The translation is very smooth and easy. The artwork rendered in pencil, charcoal and acrylic gouache is dreamy and point perfect. Momo's world is all in black and white, with her red performance dress adding the only color - until she meets the mouseling and enters her colorful world.
This little bit of magical fantasy is perfect to help take the edge off and calm the nerves of an anxious performer.
Recommended for PreSchool-grade 3.
June 26, 2020
Momo is worried about getting onstage to perform her Piano solo. She's waiting in the wings of the stage, telling herself she'll be ok, when a little mouse invites her to her own performance. Momo follows the mouse to a small theater tucked into the wall. There Momo observes mice performing all kinds of acts. When a ballerina mouse is launched airborne when her string breaks, Momo catches her in her skirt. When it's the young mouse's turn, Momo offers to go up to the stage with her to ease her fears. As Momo begins to play she gets lost in the music and looks up to realize that she's back in the real world and the clapping is coming from the adults in the theater.
The best thing about this book is the illustrations. They are beautiful. However, there are a couple of pages where Mom's face looks downright angry, not worried. Could be confusing for kids.
The best thing about this book is the illustrations. They are beautiful. However, there are a couple of pages where Mom's face looks downright angry, not worried. Could be confusing for kids.
July 9, 2019
The illustrations in this book are truly remarkable. There is a mix of black, white and greys with color added to some pages for emphasis. These illustrations are sweet and appealing.
The Piano Recital is about Momo who is nervous about her first recital. In the magical way that occurs in children's literature, she is visited by a small mouse and invited to the mice's show. While there, Momo forgets to be nervous and goes on to a good recital.
This is a very sweet book that young children will enjoy. It may also help those who are feeling nervous before their own performances.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this book in exchange for my honest review.
The Piano Recital is about Momo who is nervous about her first recital. In the magical way that occurs in children's literature, she is visited by a small mouse and invited to the mice's show. While there, Momo forgets to be nervous and goes on to a good recital.
This is a very sweet book that young children will enjoy. It may also help those who are feeling nervous before their own performances.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this book in exchange for my honest review.
September 12, 2019
Such a lovely book! My mom is a piano teacher. She organized many recitals throughout the years with her students. I wish I had this book back then, to read it to the anxious little artists!
The mice make mistakes during their show, but it goes on. They even make the audience laugh about it. So there is no need to worry! Just perform, don't worry about perfection! I love this message sent to children! Some adults could benefit from it, too!
The author's simple illustrations warmly complement the story.
Thank you to Net Galley and Kids Can Press for providing me with an e-book copy in exchange for my honest review!
The mice make mistakes during their show, but it goes on. They even make the audience laugh about it. So there is no need to worry! Just perform, don't worry about perfection! I love this message sent to children! Some adults could benefit from it, too!
The author's simple illustrations warmly complement the story.
Thank you to Net Galley and Kids Can Press for providing me with an e-book copy in exchange for my honest review!
July 2, 2019
A very attractive and quite dreamy young reader, with a girl anxious about a solo piano recital she's done her best to rehearse for. While waiting in the wings, she gets invited to witness a mouse performance in a different part of the theatre, replete with mouse circus, mouse ballerina, and so on. Or does she? The art is wonderful, and shows that even predominant grey with a few splashes of colour can make for a warm image, and the story offers a strong narrative with just enough to make you think about what really happened to keep the book lingering in the mind. A strong four stars.
September 6, 2019
As Momo waits to play at her first piano recital her nerves are getting the best of her. Suddenly a small mouse appears who is also waiting to play. When Momo follows the mouse she enters the little world of a mouse performance theatre. The soft illustrations in this book transform the reader into a calm and magical setting. When the little mouse offer to accompany Momo as she plays it gives her the strength to perform. Not sure if this would be enough to help a young artist as they appear for the firs time, but it is a charming book.
November 14, 2019
I received this book as a giveaway at the Brooklyn Book Fair. Imagine my surprise to find out that it was published by the Canadian, Kids Can Press. Translated from a Japanese book published in 2012, this is a story is about a little girl who is nervous to perform at her piano recital (totally have been there). She uses her imagination to enter the world of performing mice. Through her imagination, she is able to perform on the stage. I loved the illustrations for this book which I think is its strong point. This book is also unique and full of surprise.
July 18, 2019
An enchanting story about a little girl preparing for her piano recital. As Momo waits for her big debut, she can’t help but become nervous. Suddenly, a little misuse appears encouraging her that she will be remarkable. The sweet mouse convinces Momo to follow her to her own mouse recital where Momo is entranced by the furry critter performances. She builds up the courage to perform with the mice, discovering she was performing her own recital instead. Lovely illustrations. 4 ⭐️
October 5, 2019
I enchanting story of a little girl who is about to perform her first piano recital, when she is whisked away by a mousling into a magical part of the concert hall. In this section of the hall mice are performing all different types of things and Momo gets to watch. What will she see next and what experiences will she have? Finally, will she overcome her fear of performing for an audience?
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#Netgalley
November 8, 2019
The Piano Recital is a beautifully illustrated tale with which many children will relate. The imaginative story follows Momo as she stands in the wings awaiting her turn to play the piano on stage. Through the mouse’s fears, Mom is able to deal with her own and overcome her stage fright. The text is simple, allowing the reader to study the gorgeous illustrations. While this is not a complicated story, the story and art will resonate with young readers.
March 10, 2023
It is Momo's first piano recital and she's very nervous. That is until she becomes distracted by another performer, a mouse, who invites Momo to the mouse performance.
Readers can debate about whether Momo really went to a mouse performance or if it was all in her imagination. One thing's for sure, Akiko Miyakoshi sure has a brilliant imagination with the acts she dreamed up for the mice to pull off, and the illustrations are enchanting (as expected from this creator).
Readers can debate about whether Momo really went to a mouse performance or if it was all in her imagination. One thing's for sure, Akiko Miyakoshi sure has a brilliant imagination with the acts she dreamed up for the mice to pull off, and the illustrations are enchanting (as expected from this creator).
October 22, 2025
Very cute book about being nervous before a recital, and a marvelous distraction. Simple story that would work well with other books about art like Trying or Music for Mister Moon
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