Maurice

by Jessixa Bagley

The winning personality of Corduroy meets the fable-like storytelling of Extra Yarn in this uplifting story about a dog and his music amidst a changing Paris.

Meet a gifted canine who was born to share his songs with the world. Whether selling out the Palais Garnier or delighting Parisian pedestrians, music is Maurice's love language. But time and things change, and when the world stops paying attention, those notes fall flat. . . .
 
This transcendent journey of one busking dog, who combines the power of inner strength and the gift of friendship to arrive at true self-discovery, is sure to inspire young dreamers and lift all souls in a stirring celebration of the world's inherent beauty, welcoming all who seek it.

As readers follow Maurice through good times and bad in this beautifully illustrated children's book, his story shows that there's light at the end of the tunnel and even when we feel like we're at our lowest, we still have the power to meaningfully contribute to the world.

PASSIONATE AND Maurice is a character who loves what he does, and the joy he gets from playing music allows him to appreciate the little things in life. Whether it's simply saying hello to a neighbor or reveling in the world around him, his character is present and ready with a smile, showing that if we can find it within ourselves to pursue what we love, what drives us, we are able to make the world a brighter place to be. 
 
PERENNIAL Whether you're inside your home or listening to music echoing along the streets of Paris, the world can feel like a turbulent, chaotic place. This uplifting story shows that it's possible to weather great change and that even hard times eventually come to an end. 

GORGEOUS WATERCOLOR Each page of this charming book set in Paris is awash with color and details to delight the eyes and the heart. Although he's a dog that plays the accordion, Maurice is a character almost everyone can recognize in the real world, and each scene reminds us how music like Maurice's scores city streets, parks, plazas, and markets. Readers young, old, and in between will love this fresh, deeply felt story about those members of society we may forget to appreciate despite their impact on us all.
 
REASSURING Inevitably in life, there are moments of loneliness and sadness. This story comforts young readers by showing them that, even when we feel alone and forgotten, there is always an audience and a community that will listen and accept us.  All we have to do is share ourselves with those around us.

Perfect lovers and music loversParents and grandparents seeking kids' books about music, generosity, empathy, and communityTeachers and librarians to add to their picture book collection for toddler, preschool, and early readersFans of such classics as Madeline, The Story of Ferdinand, and Where the Wild Things Are

Genres: Picture Books, Music, Animals, Birds, France, Childrens, Emotion

Kindle Edition

Published May 9, 2023

Reviews

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Because a song, like love, is always better when it’s shared.”

Maurice, a canine accordion busker, loves to share his smiles and songs with friends and strangers alike. And here in this book, he shares his whole heart. Come listen!

The power of friendship, love, inspiration, and kindness are all on display in this musical tale set in Paris. A Paris filled with dogs, birds, and the little things that bring us joy every day. Through ups and downs, readers see how Maurice’s life of song and sharing changes over time. Can Maurice find the spark his heart needs to play on?

A beautiful book with a beautiful message.

Highly recommended.

p.s. Be sure to peek under the book jacket. There's a fun surprise hiding underneath. :)

[April · Rating 5 out of 5]

I picked this book up because it is set in Paris, and... j'adore Paris. I fell in love with this story because of its sweet "hearts remember" message.

[Ms. B · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dogs + Paris = Maurice
If you love either of these, you'll enjoy this story about Maurice, the musician who spreads kindness. Then changes come to his beloved city; Maurice is no longer able to play. How can he find his inspiration for playing music and spreading kindness again? Could it be as simple as springtime sunshine?

[Lauren Stohler · Rating 5 out of 5]

The illustrations are absolutely TRANSPORTIVE. They very much augment the Parisian fairy-tale flavor of the storytelling. A little bit Ernest and Celestine, a little bit Sabrina, a little bit Madeline -- but definitely all it's own! Beautiful and kind!

I don't think this counts as a spoiler, but just in case, here's one aspect of this book that was very important to me: Maurice keeps many birds, but they are shown not to live caged. The cages are shown open and available, as if they're optional nighttime roosts. Thanks for that, Jessixa Bagley!!!

[Elayne Crain · Rating 5 out of 5]

We hear so often that the joy of creation is its reward. I mean, sure, it is...and yet, if you write a song, do you not someday hope/need to hear it played or sung? For many of us, the joy of creation is also in sharing something of ourselves with the world--to any who needs to hear it. It's less about ambition, per se, and more about purpose and fruitfulness.

In "Maurice," the kind eponymous main character is a musician whose audience has slowly ebbed away. When there are no longer enough coins in his collection jar to buy seed for his beloved bird friends, Maurice finds he must, in a supreme act of love and sacrifice (and a breath-taking gatefold spread), let them go.

But, of course, this measure is not without cost to the sweet Maurice, whose inspiration and confidence seem to similarly leave him. When he can no longer even afford to smile, those around him also feel the loss of his spirit.

Where do inspiration and contentment come from? Where do they go? These are big questions. All we know is, like spring, they eventually return to all those who make it through winter.

We feel for Maurice. And when Maurice finds contentment again, our hearts feel it, too. ❤️

This is a book that invites you to take your time, slowly turning and savoring each spread. Like accordion music, the space between the book's notes is where the magic is.

[John Mullarkey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Maurice tells the story of a dog with a huge heart and a love of music - playing it on the streets, public places and parks, and sharing it with neighbors makes him happy. His inspiration comes from the friends he keeps and cares for - birds of all shapes and sizes. Then - change comes about and Maurice must learn to overcome, and adjust to get back to the things in life that bring him joy. This is a wonderful read aloud book that can offer a sense of reassurance to anyone going through a period of adjustment. The watercolor illustrations are bright and warm and are a perfect compliment to both the setting (Paris) and the tone of the story.There is a great message here and as the story suggests, it is always great to share.

[A Allen · Rating 1 out of 5]

The illustrations in this book are absolutely darling. However, the storyline was not for me. Maurice is a street musician in Paris and has a hoard of birds. I am not kidding. That is a lot of birds. When he stops making enough, he can no longer take care of his bird friends and releases them. Yes, he lets tons of domesticated birds out of his apartment. People miss his smiles and he no longer has his muse, but then when summer arrives, his bird friends return and they captivate the crowd. Odd. I would have preferred if the birds had never been domesticated and had returned after migrating, instead of this "without the patronage of the crowd, how could he take care of his friends?" part.

[Tracie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Maurice, a dog who loves making music, enjoys a life of simple pleasures until "time and things changed [as t]hey always do." When Maurice is no longer able to make enough money through his music and care for his bird friends, he has to make a heart-breaking decision. But if the "melody of life" changes once, perhaps it will change again?

This is a beautiful and moving story, and would make a great read-aloud. "Because a song, like love, is always better when it's shared."

[Dawn Foster · Rating 2 out of 5]

This story really didn't make sense to me. I understand that the author was trying to tie love to music and friends, and a changing world can change the "tune." But all those ideas weren't really connected in a cohesive, organic way. It was just words, ideas on the page, and not in a good/logical way.

I also didn't understand why the lead character was a dog & that the story took place in France. 🤷‍♀️

[Liz · Rating 3 out of 5]

Maurice is a dog who used to be a famous musician and moved to playing in public for others to stop and listen. As the city changes and gets louder, the appreciation for his music goes away, so he stops until he's reminded that it's better to share with others. While children will enjoy an accordion playing dog, the heartfelt message about sharing love is a bit somber and more for the adults reading the book.

[Christie Kaaland · Rating 4 out of 5]

In his early Maurice was the toast of Paris, playing to large crowds, receiving high praise. As time goes on and Maurice ages, his audience is smaller, revenue slimmer, but he doesn't mind: he loves to make music and "love, like a song, is always better when it's shared." Bagley's detailed illustrations provide a rich background of Parisian scenic landmarks, and French touches that will delight young and old.

[Kelly]

A sweet book and don't forget to look under the jacket! I was a bit confused about why the birds didn't just come back to his house since that's where the food is. When he had them all there, the window was open so they could leave, so why did he send them away and they never came back? I didn't understand that.

[Panda Incognito · Rating 3 out of 5]

The illustrations are really sweet, but adults will like this far more than children will. The story sometimes relies on readers being able to connect the dots themselves about what is happening and what the character is feeling, and even though the themes are powerful and universal, the way they're presented is more for adults and older children.

[Connie T. · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a bittersweet picture book featuring a canine musician. He shares his music and kindness with everyone until one day the public is no longer interested in his kind of music and he ends up taking on hard times. He's fleeced to let his menagerie off birds free and sinks into a depression. When sorting comes, the birds return and he begins to share his music again as love fills his heart.

[Peacegal · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the sweet story of an accordion-playing dog who, after suffering a setback, regains his muse and finds joy in playing music again. Readers will enjoy the colorful city populated with dogs and birds, and will also gain some French vocabulary words, as well.

[Rebecca Caufman · Rating 4 out of 5]

The choice Maurice makes in the middle of the book will break your heart. The way the pages open up as you help the action to happen will make you gasp. The pages of depression will make you long for the beginning of the book.

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this, but I think it's more for adults than kids. There's a nostalgic, face-your-regrets sort of feeling to it that needs a more adult sensibility. I also wondered why the birds didn't come back when he opened the window. I loved the art, and the setting is so strong.

[Alicia Meyers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Maurice stole my heart from the very first spread. As a lover of music, this theme of sharing music with others flowed so beautifully from page to page. I appreciated the sense of community, beauty, and self-journey of this strong character that kids will absolutely adore!

[Micki U · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful!

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great illustrations and a hopeful message.

[Marsha · Rating 5 out of 5]

A dog playing an accordion? Yes, please! Thinking of my mom, who did play the accordion. What a sweet book!

[Lexi · Rating 5 out of 5]

My heart. 3 This book almost made me cry at work. More of an adult picture book or for older children simply because the younger ones won't have the life experience to appreciate it.

[Maegan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m a sucker for books that take place in Paris. Maurice is darling. Everything is better when it’s shared.

[Stacie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Musical mutt takes on Paris with love and his accordion. 🪗

[Seven · Rating 3 out of 5]

What's the relationship between Maurice and his birds? When he doesn't have enough money to feed them, he let them go. Later, his change is just an simple opposite.

[Coro · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful, colorful illustrations. Loved the message that just because life can be hard for a little bit it doesn't mean that it will stay that way forever.

[Stephanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Somewhat sad, but still sweet. Evocative illustrations with a lovely fold out page.