The Value of Giving: The Story of Beethoven

ValueTales Series

by Ann Donegan Johnson

A brief biography of Ludwig van Beethoven, emphasizing the importance of giving in his life.

Genres: Biography, Childrens, History, Music, Picture Books, Nonfiction

63 pages, Hardcover

First published June 1, 1979

Reviews

[May Ling]

This is a fantastic series and one of the many reasons that i could tell the story of Beethovan to others even at a very young age. I highly recommend this series to parents who are looking to give their children something that will inspire a passion for learning history and values.

[Kristina · Rating 3 out of 5]

These were my books as a child and now my child is asking me to read them to him.

While peppered with some fantasy, the basics are generally accurate and the final page of each book in this series is full of non-fiction facts on the character the story is about.

[JD Waggy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This might be my favorite ValueTale, actually, because Beethoven is, well, the shit. To not only have such skill at performing and composing but also to have it after he was STONE DEAF is just incredible. And this presentation, complete with Jiminy Cricket-like sidekick Keys, the imaginary cat, is a great entry point for kids into the life of one of the greatest musicians in history.
And his brothers, bastards though they were, were right. Beethoven was not terribly attractive, although he was alluring in a Mr. Rochester kind of way:
Rochester


Beethoven


But does anyone remember a Beethoven other than Ludwig? I thought not. Suck it, evil siblings.

[Megan B · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just LOVED these books when I was younger. Now they are blessing the next generation. When we finished this book, Kinley wanted to hear some Beethoven music, so we visited youtube.com and had a blast. I wish they still sold these books in stores! There are so many of them! It's a pretty long picture book, but it took us three nights to read it, so I am calling it a bedtime chapter book.

[James Hogg · Rating 4 out of 5]

Time well spent together reading this with our children.

[Stinger · Rating 3 out of 5]

I knew little of Beethoven's life before reading this book. I'm moved by the hardships he endured: the death of his beloved grandfather, then mother, the poor character of his father, and finally his encroaching deafness. But there were great beneficiaries in his life among which included, surprisingly to me, Mozart and Haydn.

The saddest part of the book is the author's failure to grasp genuine ethical reality. The imaginary cat who plays Beethoven's friend and encourager tells him that when he becomes a musician people will see his greatness. This focus on the perception of others is in line with the ethic of the Pharisees, an ethic brutally exposed as weak by Jesus of Nazareth.

Additionally, the end of the book points to fun and happiness as motivators for an ethical, productive life. The simple biography of Beethoven is instructive; the weak moral lesson in the concluding page is not.

[Shelley · Rating 3 out of 5]

"sooner or later everyone has the opportunity to give something to make someone else happy. your gifts may be very simple but if they make someone else happy you will probably be happier too. and if someone gives you a gift--a gift of time or money or attention--try to receive it with joy. it's more fun that way."

[Amber Landis · Rating 5 out of 5]

I learned a lot about Beethoven and all his adventures through his life it is a great book and I wouldn't recommend it to people who love to get to know new things if you don't already know about Beethoven which probably everybody does but this really gets into his life which I love

[Abril]

Really enjoyed the storyline of Beethoven and the visual illustrations used in the book. This book contains longer paragraphs, good for someone reading it to students.

AR: 2.0 pts (estimation)
Lexile: 520L (estimatin)
Traits: visual, voice

[Sheila · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great story to introduce the life of Beethoven!

[Jewlsbookblog · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this series of books when I was a kid! Informative without being overwhelming and colorful illustrations always made these books a joy to delve into.

[C.G. Fewston · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book when I was a kid and remember it fondly, and will have to revisit it with my children.

[Fearless · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bu yayın evi bir seri başarılı yaşam öyküsünü cocuklarin okuyaabilecegi basitliği çevirmiş ama hayal dünyasında hayali bir kahraman yaratarakta hiç güzel bir seyi icsellestirmeleri yolunu açmış.

Anlatım tarzi oldukca basit ama bence cocuklarin okuması gereken bir seri değil.

[Angie · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favorite of this series so far. Really lovely examples of giving and how it made an impact on Beethoven’s life so that he could give to the world through his talent.

[Suzanne Lorraine Kunz Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an amazing book about Beethoven. About how important love and kindness are. About not giving up when life is not going the way you want it.