Sebastian: A Book about Bach

by Jeanette Winter

Simple text and glowing paintings describe how Johann Sebastian Bach--born into a family of musicians--survived the sorrows of his childhood and composed the music the world has come to love. 12,500 first printing.

Genres: Music, Picture Books, Biography, Childrens, Nonfiction, Art, Germany

40 pages, Hardcover

First published March 1, 1999

Reviews

[Betsy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting facts about the Bach family.

[Gabriela Cano · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought this was a great biography books for younger kids. The way they simplified such important information surprised me. Everything that needed to be said about Sebastian was shown in the book. I would use this book for a nonfiction reason in the classroom. If we study music or have a study on him with the music teacher than that is how I would present the book, this book if for maybe first graders. There is not much diversity in this book, only about his family being really big, and the language is quite simple for children to read on their own as well.

[James Govednik · Rating 3 out of 5]

A serenely beautiful biography that recounts how Johann Sebastian Bach overcame obstacles to become a great composer. Includes a link to the space age—Voyager. We learn of his family tree and his arduous persistence to become better and better. We learn of his family tree, including his twenty children, his teaching duties and his beautiful music, of course. Simple, logical format--Each colorful illustration is accompanied by a few lines of text.

[Prabhat sharma · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sebastian: A Book about Bach (Hardcover) by Jeanette Winter, Hindi language translation by Vidushak- Children’s Illustrated Colour Picture Book- The book narrates the story of Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750), a famous German composer and musician. Sebastian was born into a family of musicians. He heard music everywhere, especially in his own head, and he wrote down what he heard. At the of 9, his parents expired. He lived with his elder brother Christopher. He learnt playing the Clavichord. At the age of 15 years, he was admitted to a Board School for education. Here he learnt to play keyboard, pipes and organ. He travelled to hear organ players at churches. He learnt to play organ, violin, harpsichord. He travelled and played his music for the people. With his music, he was able to hear the violin, flute, trumpet and Obe. Sebastian married Anna Magdalena, raised a family, and wrote more than a thousand pieces of music. He played in palaces before Princes and Dukes. Once, he changed his job without taking permission from authorities, he was put in jail. He also created a little book of music especially for his wife, Anna Magdalena, so that in the evenings the whole family could make music together. They had 20 children. The family settled in Leipzig city near the City Church. He was choirmaster at this Church. His students played music at this church. He taught music and Latin for 5 hours daily. As the grew old, he could not see. Still he composed music and taught through his students. Hundreds of years after his death, Bach’s music is heard and played all over the world. Many people think it is some of the most glorious music ever written. Today young students--like Bach’s own children--can learn to play the music from Anna Magdalena’s notebook. Coloured illustrations help the reader to relate to the story. I have read the Hindi language translation of this book.

[Mrs. Ruigrok · Rating 4 out of 5]

A picture book about the life of Bach. An interesting read with colorful illustrations . Good for elementary school children and for teachers to share with their students.

[Rosalynne · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting book about Bach, with facts and pictures that my toddlers found both interesting and held their attention.

[Michael Fitzgerald · Rating 2 out of 5]

Oversimplifies the biography quite a bit - no mention at all of Bach's first wife (mother of, among others, Wilhelm Friedemann and Carl Philipp Emanuel). It implies that Anna Magdelena was mother of all 20 children, which was certainly not the case. Nor were there ever anywhere near 20 children at one time (16 are shown in one illustration) - 10 of them died before reaching five years old.

Specific works are never mentioned (not even in an appendix). It's all kind of fuzzy. This is not a book that will teach much about Bach's life or his music.

[mz · Rating 3 out of 5]

A great book to give to young piano students! (ages 3-8) Both my young 6-yr-old student and his little 4-yr-old sister were so excited to look at the very engaging pictures in this engaging and captivating story.

[Tyanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

colorful illistrations, good info abot bach and introduction to history and music

[Liza Nahas · Rating 4 out of 5]

My daughter finds this book fascinating. She wants to bring it to music class to discuss with her teacher!

[Lynnette · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good for younger elementary students. It would work for as a read aloud book for students who don't like biographies. but it has a cheesy ending.

[Amy Edwards · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great introductory picture-book biography of Bach. Includes the basic facts and events of Bach's life as well as simple and engaging explanation of fugue, although that term is not used.

[Earl · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Bach were a large musical family whose talents were passed from generation to generation. An overly simplified biography of someone who we may be all familiar with without knowing it!

[Teri · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well done. My kids really enjoyed this book--especially because they are playing Bach and know a few of his pieces.

[Jenny Bailey · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is a biography about Bach.
I would recommend this book for first grade and up.
One unique feature about this book is that the illustration help to strengthen what is happening in the story. In the pictures the reader can see movement and emotion in the characters faces. Also in the images the reader can see how music is always moving as it spill out of houses in strands of color.

[School For Wayward Children]

Basic biography. Not particularly memorable but solid.