When Rubin Plays

by Gracey Zhang

Rubin loves the beautiful sounds that are played by the orchestra. He wants to learn to play the violin and make his own music. But when Rubin plays, it doesn't sound like he imagines it should. Rubin goes into the forest to practice alone and despite only getting the violin to screech, he finds an unlikely audience that loves his unique style.

In another inspiring and lyrical book that deftly dives into the psyche and heart of a child's viewpoint and experience, the creator of Lala's Words, Gracey Zhang, offers confidence to everyone who longs to master something that can be difficult and shows that there is only one way to do something that is to do it your own special way.

Genres: Picture Books, Music, Cats, Childrens, Animals, Fiction, Storytime

Audible Audio

Published March 12, 2024

About the author

Gracey Zhang is a freelance illustrator and animator with a BFA in illustration from the Rhode Island School of Design. Born and raised in Vancouver, Canada, and educated in the United States, she is now based in New York, where she rides the train while thinking of warmer climates.

Reviews

[Anna Rich · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had the pleasure of running into Gracey Zhang in a local bookshop in Brooklyn Heights, NY today. She was sweet, friendly, and so eager to talk to me when I saw her excitedly taking photos with her new book on the shelf. As the daughter of a children's book author and publisher, I had to buy the book for my mother, and what an uplifting story it is! Paired with the youthful and beautiful illustrations, When Rubin Plays is a delight. Go Gracey!!

[Molly Cluff (Library!) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I adore the illustrations and I love the cats intruding on the concert--I thought story was both funny and poignant and a tribute to practicing and having your own unique style.

[Emily M · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a delightful little story. My youngest, who longs to play a stringed instrument like her big sisters, loved it!

[Tina Hoggatt · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this illustrator's vigorous, free work and here she has created a text to match. I love how the notion of screechy violin playing can be magnificent and victorious. Completely unexpected.

[Tracie · Rating 3 out of 5]

A would-be musician gains confidence by playing his violin for a clowder of cats.

There are plenty of stories about young musicians who master their instrument, but that's not the theme of this story (and precisely what I applaud here). I don't think Rubin truly improves his sound here, but what does improve is his willingness to unabashedly try. It's a lesson in the kind of courage that aspiring musicians need most: you can't make music quietly. You have to play out, and it's better to make mistakes loudly than never try at all.

[Erin]

A book for every parent of a recorder-playing child.

Rubin wants to play the violin, but he has a hard time. No one appreciates his playing, and he finds places where he can practice on his own. Over time, though, his audience finds him: the area's cats. A joyous embrace of creative expression with a very nice author's note at the end.

[Stephanie Bange · Rating 4 out of 5]

A young boy learning how to play the violin gets amazing results.

A classroom of students are learning how to play orchestral instruments in their town at the edge of a rainforest. Rubin loved hearing them play, so asked to learn to play the violin. The results are less than musical. However, he sits in the back of the room and is promised a spot on their concert. After school, he practices loudly in in the jungle, where he discovers he has a curious following: cats who miao at his music. The day of the concert, Rubin plays quietly until he is prompted to play louder. When he plays loudly, the audience is thrown from their seats by the multitude of cats who howl with Rubin's playing, until he finished and the audience applauds.

Zhang's story was inspired by an image of a boy playing a violin to a group of cats and the baroque classical music traditions in South America, a carryover from Jesuit missionaries. This story is set in a small town in Bolivia. It is fun to read aloud, with her timing just perfect. Her artwork appears to be gouache and black markers. Intense, deep colors fill each page.

Cat lovers are sure to be drawn to this book that has making beautiful music at its heart.

Recommended for Preschool-grade 3.

[Becky · Rating 4 out of 5]

First sentence: In a small town by a big forest, there was a little orchestra...a little orchestra that played beautiful sounds. Rubin loved these sounds. They drifted around him and lifted him up, warm and light. Rubin felt like flying.

Premise/plot: Rubin LOVES, LOVES, LOVES music. He finds it incredibly emotionally moving. He wants to learn to play the violin. But he needs practice. Lots and lots of practice. The sounds the violin makes when he plays it...well...less than ideal...for a human audience. But he plays to a VERY appreciative audience of cats. When it is time to perform for humans, well, the kitties may just crash the party to the delight of all.

My thoughts: I enjoyed this one! I liked the story and the art. I absolutely loved the color palette of the illustrations. Absolutely beautiful! I was so happy to see all the kitties!!!

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beginning string players and their families will relate to Rubin. He loves music and wishes to play the violin. But his attempts sound like howling cats.
Despite lots of practice, his playing still sounds like cats. Thankfully, a gathering of actual cats enjoy listening to him practice in the forest where others are not bothered by the sound. They even sing along. And Rubin has the confidence to play fortissimo!
Beautiful evocative paintings accompany the story.
Possibly give this book as a present to the beginning orchestra teacher!

Back matter explains that Rubin's story was inspired by a small area of Bolivia where baroque classical music is celebrated with festivals and concerts.

Recommended for lower to middle elementary age readers, especially those embarking on learning to play an instrument. 

[Jame_EReader · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you @tbrbeyondtours and @scholastic for having my kids and I on this booktour.

This beautiful illustrated book is packed with beautiful artistic images with some easy-read words. My tween kids enjoyed it and even read it out loud while pointing fingers and laughing at their own flaws. Below is their joint review.

This book is an awesome illustrated book that do not need many words and the images speak volumes. The fact that we both play instruments, many times we sounded like Rubin literally like a croaking frogs. My mom always remind us to practice so that we could play and sound better, so we don’t embarrass ourselves. I think this book is a perfect way to tell smaller kids to be patient and keep practicing. We both like this book, a 5⭐️ book.

[Roben · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rubin is a young boy who loves to listen to the classical music played by the school orchestra. He really wants to play - so the maestro gives him a violin. But the sound he makes -- isn't really fit for human ears! He needs to practice. So he heads off into the jungle -- where his playing attracts an unusual audience. As he screeches, there is a distinct Miao! A whole chorus of cats accompanies his playing. Rubin keeps practicing and on the day of the big performance, his unique performance attracts his favorite fans who storm on to the square to join his playing.

This was so cute! I am a huge fan of both classical music and cats so this was a delight for me.
Play from your heart, young musicians! There is always someone who will appreciate your music.

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rubin's sister plays in the community orchestra and he loves to listen to their music. One day he asks the maestro if he can learn to plan and Rubin is given a violin, with instructions to practice. He's very screechy. He gets tips from other children in the orchestra, but mostly practices quietly in the back. But in the evenings, Rubin goes to the forest and practices for an audience of cats.

Colorful illustrations accompany this darling story of a young boy finding and using his new found instrument. I liked the screechy sounds incorporated into the illustrations and the funny happenings at the concert. A new violin student might really love this.

Cross posted to http://kissthebookjr.blogspot.com

[MrsK Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

Within a small town, Rubin enjoys listening to the Maestro's orchestra. When the Maestro places a violin in his hand... Rubin learns that his music is in need of some finer-tuned practice. So Rubin heads to the forest to practice the sounds he's been hearing.

With his first sounds, the forest creatures gather and join in with the sounds of his violin. Every evening Rubin would be in the forest clearing and every evening his audience joined in with their own unique voices.

With an ending concert, Rubin discovers that as his heart soared... so to did his unique violin voice.
Beautifully crafted, joyously performed,
MrsK https://mrskbookstogo.blogspot.com/

[Pam · Rating 4 out of 5]

A young boy (Ruben) wants to play the violin and be part of the orchestra like his older sister. The Maestro encourages him to practice. Ruben plays, and creates sounds similar to many beginning musicians. He ventures into the lush forest outside and practices. Soon, he has his own audience who join him in making music. On the day of the concert, he plays and his audience soon arrives to join the humans in the concert hall. Kudos to this conductor for encouraging Ruben and allowing him to develop his own style. Humor gently weaves through the story. The artwork is fun to study and adds to the overall tale.

[Barbra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rubin loves the sounds of the orchestra. When he asks the maestro if he can learn to play he is handed a violin. At first he doesn't sound so good, so he practices in the forest so he will not disturb anyone. To his suprise an audience of cats join him and howl along with him. Everyone tries to help but still his he struggles. When Rubin finally performs with the orchestra the cats come to the performance and create chaos. However Rubin continues to play and the crowd cheers. A bright colorful story about perserverance.

[Bettendorf Library · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rubin loves to listen to the orchestra in his town, but when he picks up a violin he finds the sounds he makes are not the same beautiful sounds he is used to. So Rubin goes into the forest and there he finds an audience of cats that enjoy the music he plays from his heart. At the end Rubin plays with the orchestra during a music festival and his cat fans come, creating a truly unique experience for the crowd.

A charming book about the joys of music and the feelings they can fill us and our animal friends with.
(Reviewed by Jenna I.)

[Victoria Whipple · Rating 5 out of 5]

Set in Bolivia (according to author's note), this lushly illustrated story tells of a boy who longs to play with the local orchestra. His playing is rough, to start with, so he goes out into the forest where his playing won't bother anyone. It turns out that cats love his playing, and Zhang's buoyant and lively illustrations depict the joy of both boy and cats. This will make a great read aloud, and the detailed illustrations reveal something new with each reading.

[Country Mama · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a wonderful children’s book. My young daughter loved that Rubin played the violin and that he played eventually to the cats, every night! She really likes cats😉 Overall the story was engaging, and the pictures are well done. I highly recommend this one to all kids of all ages to read, and moms like me will love this cute book about a boy wanting to play a violin and finding the right audience for him!

[Caroline · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a beautifully illustrated picture book. Music lovers and cat lovers alike will find something to enjoy in this picture book. Could be easily read aloud to a group. I was left a little confused by the violin sounds. It seems like Rubin's violin is making the same sounds at the beginning and end of the book, but the plot suggests his playing has improved? I think I'm missing something there.

Fabulous end pages; the illustrations and story are the stars here.

[Emily Ward · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don’t often review picture books because there’s just too many we read, but this one was so good I just had to. My son and I were giggling so hard at the ridiculousness of an orchestra concert being overrun by singing cats. The illustrations were hysterical. I will definitely be saving this for future music classes! I know my students will enjoy my rendition of singing cat and screeching violins.

[Kim Wilch · Rating 5 out of 5]

This sweet and endearing children's book is about the sweet sound of music, namely the violin. He's not so good in the beginning and even the cats howl along. During a performance... you don't think I'm going to tell you what happens, do you? A wonderful story about believing in yourself and perseverance. I loved the inspiration for the story.

[Aolund · Rating 4 out of 5]

A whimsical tale of a Bolivian boy, Rubin, who fearlessly plays the violin, delighting both the local cats and townspeople, even though he hasn't yet achieved technical skill. I liked this book's message of not waiting until you're "perfect" before sharing your passion with the world.

Themes: Be Yourself, Cats, Music
Age range: Preschool-Kindergarten

[Serenity · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wasn’t expecting to love this book as much as I did. I don’t know that I think the illustrations are super distinguished, but I am going to include it in my Mock Caldecott because I think they’re clever. I also think my younger kids will really enjoy it, especially if I can find a video to introduce the music.

[Kayla Fleshman]

This book had beautiful illustrations and told a wonderful story of a boy who wants to try something new and isn't afraid to show off his progress even if it wasn't a perfect outcome. I loved that his audience was cats until the big performance and even then his kitty friends still showed up. Absolutely adorable.

[Stephanie Pieck · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rubin wants to join the orchestra. But when he's given a violin, the sounds he makes aren't what people want to hear. But he loves to play and finds an unlikely and appreciative audience that even sings along. This joyous book will encourage anyone of any age to keep doing whatever expressive art they love because it's the freedom to express oneself without language that is a treasure worth nurturing. As an amateur violinist, I can relate to Rubin, and I've found the most welcoming audiences in the most unusual places.

[Edward Sullivan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lushly illustrated story set in Bolivia about a boy who longs to play with the local orchestra. He goes out into the forest where his rough playing won't bother anyone, but it turns outthat cats love his playing.

[Emily Taft · Rating 5 out of 5]

the illustrations in this book are so lovely. i really like the message of perseverance and trying again and again

[Bea · Rating 4 out of 5]

Blog tour review and giveaway 7/25/2023

[Earl · Rating 3 out of 5]

A delightful tale of not giving up on something that you may not be good at at first and when others may dissuade you because you never know who's listening.

[Kelly]

This book was nice. Cute how they involved cats and were inclusive of Rubin.