The Lost String Quartet

by N.M. Bodecker, Drawings (Illustrator)

Traveling to the far side of the mountain for their big show, the members of a string quartet end up lost in this charming picture book by N. M. Bodecker. The Daffodil String Quartet has spent months preparing for their upcoming concert. Shining the instruments and practicing extra hard, they are certain this will be one of their best shows yet.But as they travel along the road in their small Italian car on the way to their concert on the far side of the mountain, one disastrous wrong turn leaves them lost in the mountains with no sense of direction. Will the Daffodil String Quartet make it to their concert, or will all of their hard work have been for nothing?

Genres: Picture Books, Music, Adventure

Hardcover

First published October 1, 1983

About the author

N.M. Bodecker was an illustrator as well as a writer of children's books and nonsense poetry.

Reviews

[Hilary · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story is very inventive and original and has left me wanting to find out more about the inspiration for this story. It is dedicated to the members of The Concord String Quartet, a quick Google showed some interesting facts about these guys, one was a member of The Bauhaus! I would love to know if this book was based on any real life events!

The book begins by explaining this is the story of the disappearance of the Daffodil String Quartet. Whilst driving to the other side of a mountain for a concert the quartet member driving mistakes the tunnel for a large underground drainage pipe about to be craned into position. Their situation goes from bad to worse and one by one their instruments meet with misfortune, but like all good musicians they don't give up and they strive to find a way to get to their concert and give their performance.

I really like the style of illustration on the cover but inside it's nearly all grey with line drawings on top, pale grey too, looked like a black and white photo copy of a first draught. I was itching to use Photoshop or just some paints and put a bit of colour in or even some black or white, just to make the images stand out, a small amount of tweaking could make this into a 5 star book for me. Really fun read. I can't think how I came across this on goodreads but I suggested the library buy a copy and they did.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a bit quirky, but that's why I love it! If you're wondering how on earth a string quartet--four people with four music stands, four bundles of sheet music, various instruments as well as various overcoats, hats, mittens, and other gear and a small Italian automobile--could get lost, just read this book!
If your kids like chase scenes and pyrotechnics, this might not be the book for you; but if you like line drawings, unique/funny situations, and of course music, then this is your book!