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Becoming Bach
For Johann Sebastian there was always music. His family had been musicians, or bachs as they were called in Germany, for 200 years. He always wanted to be a bach.
As he grew, he saw patterns in everything. Patterns he would turn into melodies and song, eventually growing into one of the most important and celebrated musical composers of all time.
This is the story of Johann Sebastian Bach.
As he grew, he saw patterns in everything. Patterns he would turn into melodies and song, eventually growing into one of the most important and celebrated musical composers of all time.
This is the story of Johann Sebastian Bach.
40 pages, Hardcover
First published February 28, 2017
4 people are currently reading
165 people want to read
About the author
Tom Leonard
48 books11 followersI live in Philadelphia and have been working as an Illustrator and Illustration teacher at the University of the Arts for many years.
I've illustrated many books, including Here is the Coral Reef, Here is the African Savanna, and Who Will Plant a Tree. I also wrote and illustrated Becoming Bach, which combines my two loves, art and music.
I greatly enjoy teaching and have learned more from the students than they've learned from me.
I love jazz and magic realism and I live with my lovely wife, Rose, in the Italian Market section of Philadelphia.
I've illustrated many books, including Here is the Coral Reef, Here is the African Savanna, and Who Will Plant a Tree. I also wrote and illustrated Becoming Bach, which combines my two loves, art and music.
I greatly enjoy teaching and have learned more from the students than they've learned from me.
I love jazz and magic realism and I live with my lovely wife, Rose, in the Italian Market section of Philadelphia.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 66 reviews
December 2, 2019
Johann Sebastian grew up surrounded by music, the youngest member of a family of musicians, or 'bachs,' as they were known in his part of Germany. Taught to play the harpsichord, trumpet, violin, flute and organ at a young age, his musical education was continued by his eldest brother, Johann Christoph, after his parents died. A lover of patterns, which he observed in music, in the natural world, and in everything he encountered, he began to work those patterns into the music he was writing, music that would live on long after he himself, Johann Sebastian Bach, was gone...
A breathtakingly beautiful book, Becoming Bach moved me deeply, both on an aesthetic and an emotional level. I knew from the moment I picked it up that it would be a visually pleasing selection - the cover artwork told me that - but I didn't expect to find its simple narrative of a brilliant soul who took the patterns he observed around him, and transformed them into great art, so poignant. Expected or not, I finished the book with tears in my eyes. What was so moving? It's difficult to say - perhaps it was the notion of patterns, which I too find myself looking for, all around me - but the text here was pitch perfect, and was perfectly matched with the illustrations. As mentioned, I loved the artwork here, from the scene in which Bach composes a fairy-tale castle in the air with musical notation, to the depiction of music as a vibrantly colored floral pattern in the great composer's head. The tale itself was deeply moving, and the inclusion of an informative afterword providing more details about Bach's life was much appreciated. In short, an absolute triumph of a picture-book, one that, despite my current moratorium on book-buying, I will need to add to my collection.
A breathtakingly beautiful book, Becoming Bach moved me deeply, both on an aesthetic and an emotional level. I knew from the moment I picked it up that it would be a visually pleasing selection - the cover artwork told me that - but I didn't expect to find its simple narrative of a brilliant soul who took the patterns he observed around him, and transformed them into great art, so poignant. Expected or not, I finished the book with tears in my eyes. What was so moving? It's difficult to say - perhaps it was the notion of patterns, which I too find myself looking for, all around me - but the text here was pitch perfect, and was perfectly matched with the illustrations. As mentioned, I loved the artwork here, from the scene in which Bach composes a fairy-tale castle in the air with musical notation, to the depiction of music as a vibrantly colored floral pattern in the great composer's head. The tale itself was deeply moving, and the inclusion of an informative afterword providing more details about Bach's life was much appreciated. In short, an absolute triumph of a picture-book, one that, despite my current moratorium on book-buying, I will need to add to my collection.
May 5, 2021
Beautiful illustrations and a simple telling of the story of the life of Bach.
It is perfect for reading to multiple age levels and beginnning to learn about Bach.
It is perfect for reading to multiple age levels and beginnning to learn about Bach.
August 21, 2024
Bach was a musical genius. He is considered the greatest composer of all time. Orphaned when 9 and raised by his oldest brother who was a music composer. He came from a family of musicians. Note: in Germany musicians were called Bachs. He always wanted to become a Bach. He played many instruments. He saw music and world through patterns.
July 20, 2017
Stunning illustrations! The back matter provides great additional information but I found the print very tiny! Back matter includes "suggested listening" - songs composed by Bach.
July 20, 2021
Short yet interesting for even little ones. Illustrations are captivating for all ages.
May 5, 2021
Becoming Bach had beautifully designed illustrations and cute story.
June 14, 2017
Some gorgeous illustrations weaving musical and mathematical elements together into the story.
March 9, 2017
Not so much a biography of Bach as a celebration of or meditation on his musical genius. Stunning illustrations and design.
March 23, 2019
Becoming Bach is a children's picture book written and illustrated by Tom Leonard. It is a cursory biography of Johann Sebastian Bach from his childhood in Italy to become a revolutionary in early childhood education. Today Google's Doodle (22 March 2019), at least in my part of the world, celebrates what would have been Johann Sebastian Bach’s 334th birthday.
Johann Sebastian Bach was a German composer and musician of the Baroque period. He is known for instrumental compositions such as the Art of Fugue, the Brandenburg Concertos, and the Goldberg Variations as well as for vocal music such as the St Matthew Passion and the Mass in B minor. Since the 19th-century Bach Revival he has been generally regarded as one of the greatest composers of all time.
The text is rather simplistic, straightforward, and informative. It starts off with a young Johann Sebastian Bach growing up in a family in Germany who has been musicians for two hundred years and as a child he wanted to continue the legacy. At the end, there is a concise and informative biography timeline of Johann Sebastian Bach's life, but more importantly, a list of his music that are worth listening to. The illustrations are phenomenally drawn and captivate the reader. It depicts the simple narrative extremely well.
The premise of the book is rather straightforward. As a child, Johann Sebastian Bach wanted to continue his family legacy in music. Growing up, he saw patterns in everything, such patterns he would turn into melodies and songs, and eventually fulfilled his family’s legacy and became one of the most important and celebrated musical composers of all time.
All in all, Becoming Bach is a wonderful biography of one of the most celebrated composers of all time – Johann Sebastian Bach.
Johann Sebastian Bach was a German composer and musician of the Baroque period. He is known for instrumental compositions such as the Art of Fugue, the Brandenburg Concertos, and the Goldberg Variations as well as for vocal music such as the St Matthew Passion and the Mass in B minor. Since the 19th-century Bach Revival he has been generally regarded as one of the greatest composers of all time.
The text is rather simplistic, straightforward, and informative. It starts off with a young Johann Sebastian Bach growing up in a family in Germany who has been musicians for two hundred years and as a child he wanted to continue the legacy. At the end, there is a concise and informative biography timeline of Johann Sebastian Bach's life, but more importantly, a list of his music that are worth listening to. The illustrations are phenomenally drawn and captivate the reader. It depicts the simple narrative extremely well.
The premise of the book is rather straightforward. As a child, Johann Sebastian Bach wanted to continue his family legacy in music. Growing up, he saw patterns in everything, such patterns he would turn into melodies and songs, and eventually fulfilled his family’s legacy and became one of the most important and celebrated musical composers of all time.
All in all, Becoming Bach is a wonderful biography of one of the most celebrated composers of all time – Johann Sebastian Bach.
December 6, 2017
Summary:
This book is the story of Johann Sebastian Bach and his love of music from a very young age. Growing up the famous cmomposer noticed patterns in everything, which eventually translated into melodies and songs.
Characteristics that Support the Genre:
This book is considered a biography because it is a text written to inform a reader about a real person's life, and the author is someone other than Bach who is the person who is featured in the text.
Mentor Writing Traits:
I would use Becoming Bach as a mentor text to teach the writing trait of presentation because of its engaging physical appearance and beautiful illustrations. This book provides concrete examples of illustrations that highlight the key points of the book and contains creative but readable text features.
Classroom Integration:
I could use this book to hellp teach students how to write a biography, or I could read Becoming Bach to students to introduce them to Bach and Baroque era of music and other arts.
Other Suggestions:
After teaching students about Bach and other famous composers from the Baroque era, play their music for students to compare and contrast and learn to appreaciate.
Grade Level: K-3
Reading Level: 2.6
This book is the story of Johann Sebastian Bach and his love of music from a very young age. Growing up the famous cmomposer noticed patterns in everything, which eventually translated into melodies and songs.
Characteristics that Support the Genre:
This book is considered a biography because it is a text written to inform a reader about a real person's life, and the author is someone other than Bach who is the person who is featured in the text.
Mentor Writing Traits:
I would use Becoming Bach as a mentor text to teach the writing trait of presentation because of its engaging physical appearance and beautiful illustrations. This book provides concrete examples of illustrations that highlight the key points of the book and contains creative but readable text features.
Classroom Integration:
I could use this book to hellp teach students how to write a biography, or I could read Becoming Bach to students to introduce them to Bach and Baroque era of music and other arts.
Other Suggestions:
After teaching students about Bach and other famous composers from the Baroque era, play their music for students to compare and contrast and learn to appreaciate.
Grade Level: K-3
Reading Level: 2.6
April 30, 2018
Becoming Bach is a beautiful and fun telling of Johan Sebastion Bach from first person narrative. It is the story of Bach from a young boy to... becoming a Bach. I didn't even know that was a thing, that a musician "became" a Bach, shows how much I know, ha. The art work is enchanting and whimsical, and one of my favorite parts is how the artist uses colors to flow from the organ/instruments to portray the sound of music. The words on the page a twisty turny, so that might annoy some people that the words are harder to read/follow. Easier for an adult to read in that sense. My 2 and 4 year old really enjoyed it and I think especially the pictures. I didn't read it aloud, but after the story is a one page brief biographical sketch of Bach's life. The very last pages have some recommended listening and website footnotes and pages to visit.
A must have for any musically inclined littles and their library.
A must have for any musically inclined littles and their library.
November 29, 2017
Book Level: 2.6
Summary: With beautiful illustrations, this book tells the story of a young Johann Sebastian Bach.
Writing Trait: Presentation – During the drafting stage of an informative writing assignment, this mentor text would show students how they can utilize illustrations and creative text placement to clarify important points. To continue, this book is an exemplary example of a short biography. As a result, students could reference this book for research strategies as they are writing biographies.
Reading Component: Vocabulary – During a math unit in which students are learning about patterns, I would reference this text to demonstrate to students how patterns are used in the real world. The background knowledge that students already possess when it comes to patterns would be very useful as they interact with the text.
Summary: With beautiful illustrations, this book tells the story of a young Johann Sebastian Bach.
Writing Trait: Presentation – During the drafting stage of an informative writing assignment, this mentor text would show students how they can utilize illustrations and creative text placement to clarify important points. To continue, this book is an exemplary example of a short biography. As a result, students could reference this book for research strategies as they are writing biographies.
Reading Component: Vocabulary – During a math unit in which students are learning about patterns, I would reference this text to demonstrate to students how patterns are used in the real world. The background knowledge that students already possess when it comes to patterns would be very useful as they interact with the text.
September 27, 2017
This book is based on the true story of Bach, a great musical composer from a long family line of musicians. It isn't pure non-fiction as the author narrates this story as if he were Bach, but in his own words. However, the back matter is well done, including a biography and a list of music to listen to.
The illustrations are fantastic.
If you don't read the back matter, it is a quick, beautifully written, enjoyable read. I think it could appeal to preschoolers and elementary school students. In addition to discussing Bach, you could also discuss patterns and music with the kids, and do fun book-related activities either involving patterns or music.
The illustrations are fantastic.
If you don't read the back matter, it is a quick, beautifully written, enjoyable read. I think it could appeal to preschoolers and elementary school students. In addition to discussing Bach, you could also discuss patterns and music with the kids, and do fun book-related activities either involving patterns or music.
January 2, 2018
In Becoming Bach Tom Leonard explores his favorite subject, the art of music, and the story of Johan Sebastian Bach. Bach grew up surrounded by music and learned to play multiple instruments and to sing. Music became his method of communication, “After mother and father went to heaven, I needed to say things but words weren’t enough.” Mr. Leonard shows us through both his words and elaborate illustrations the patterns of music, “Patterns like the ripples on the surface of the river.” The reader is drawn in by the visuals of the music on the page while the words evoke images in our imagination. I loved how I felt connected to Bach while reading this book.
July 18, 2018
This is a biography of J.S. Bach from his point of view, and it mostly covers his childhood, how he came to be a musician and composer. There's less text than there is in a lot of other biographical picture books, but I don't think the age range is much lower.
The illustrations are full of music -- notes and instruments and people making music. The text and illustrations encourage looking at music as patterns, as related to nature and color and emotion, as something we can create. And it shows music from Bach at the organ reaching all the way to people in the present.
Two vertical pages.
The endnotes include a biography, an author's note, sources, and suggested listening.
The illustrations are full of music -- notes and instruments and people making music. The text and illustrations encourage looking at music as patterns, as related to nature and color and emotion, as something we can create. And it shows music from Bach at the organ reaching all the way to people in the present.
Two vertical pages.
The endnotes include a biography, an author's note, sources, and suggested listening.
November 9, 2022
This is a very inspiring story about a young child who loves music. He grew up around music and he had always wanted to be a Bach. His family was surrounded by music for over 200 years. After losing his parents, Johann needed to say things but words simply weren't enough. He moved in with his brother who taught him music. Al though the book explains how Johann got into music I wish it went into more details about his inspiration for doing so. The illustrations are also beautiful but I think they could be changed to better align with the story. This could be used in the classroom to show students that although you may face obstacles in life you can still accomplish your dreams.
November 8, 2023
Illustrations are quite beautiful and excel in visually depicting how music can make us feel or stretch our imaginations and perceptions. We get a good sense not only of Bach's genius but also of his time and place. I will say that the story felt secondary and didn't really move me, and I definitely wanted more details, but the illustrations will stay with me. The back matter is more comprehensive with a more detailed biography as well as a touching note by the author explaining the way Bach's music spoke to him. Also includes a list of Sources, Websites, and Suggested Listening which is greatly appreciated.
June 15, 2017
"For Johann Sebastian there was always music. His family had been musicians, or bachs as they were called in Germany, for 200 years. He always wanted to be a bach.
As he grew, he saw patterns in everything. Patterns he would turn into melodies and song, eventually growing into one of the most important and celebrated musical composers of all time.
This is the story of Johann Sebastian Bach."
Loved the illustrations in this book! A great biography that reads like a story. Well worth taking a look.
As he grew, he saw patterns in everything. Patterns he would turn into melodies and song, eventually growing into one of the most important and celebrated musical composers of all time.
This is the story of Johann Sebastian Bach."
Loved the illustrations in this book! A great biography that reads like a story. Well worth taking a look.
January 2, 2018
Picture book written in first person about Johann Sebastian Bach's life. Simple story of how he always heard music in his head, saw patterns everywhere that manifested as music, came from a long line of musicians, and so forth. The illustrations are drop-dead gorgeous, acrylic paintings, double-page spreads, with some really nifty portraits of people composed entirely of sheet music! They are delicate and look a lot like 18th century artwork (author cites his influences of Pieter Bruegel and Antoine Watteau). Includes list of sources and detailed afterword that gives life of JSB.
March 15, 2018
This book is geared towards the young, so full illustrations and not too heavy on the writing. A good, brief introduction to the Baroque genius.
Ages: 4 - 8
Cleanliness: cover has cupids with loincloths.
**Like my reviews? I also have hundreds of detailed reports that I offer too. These reports give a complete break-down of everything in the book, so you'll know just how clean it is or isn't. I also have Clean Guides (downloadable PDFs) which enable you to clean up your book before reading it! Visit my website: The Book Radar.
Ages: 4 - 8
Cleanliness: cover has cupids with loincloths.
**Like my reviews? I also have hundreds of detailed reports that I offer too. These reports give a complete break-down of everything in the book, so you'll know just how clean it is or isn't. I also have Clean Guides (downloadable PDFs) which enable you to clean up your book before reading it! Visit my website: The Book Radar.
September 7, 2017
A simple biography of Bach, I think this is meant to be read to younger kids, but the text is really small and the text is not very compelling. I also found it to end rather abruptly, Bach gets a job as an organist, and then it ends, without ever explaining that he became a composer and wrote music. Also, this is really nit-picky, but I absolutely HATED the bangs the illustrator gave Bach, they are scraggly and choppy and make it look like he had frosted tips.
August 19, 2018
A picture book biography of composer and musician Johann Sebastian Bach.
A beautifully illustrated picture book biography that manages to convey the gist of Bach's life and accomplishments in a few short sentences. There is more information in the back of the book for those who want to know more. A great introduction for kids to a classic composer. Recommended for little music lovers, beautiful picture book biography lovers, and music classes.
A beautifully illustrated picture book biography that manages to convey the gist of Bach's life and accomplishments in a few short sentences. There is more information in the back of the book for those who want to know more. A great introduction for kids to a classic composer. Recommended for little music lovers, beautiful picture book biography lovers, and music classes.
February 21, 2020
Bach has always been my second favorite composer of all time! I had never truly looked at his life but this book provided so many new and interesting information about who he was! The illustrations in this book are phenomenal and it is very easy to read! After reading this book, I discovered Bach suffered through so many losses! I also discovered he used all five fingers to play the organ! Something that was uncommon during that time!
March 19, 2017
Coming from a long line of German musicians, Johann Sebastian Bach lived and breathed music, hearing it around it and in his head, seeing its patterns, making, copying, and composing its patterns.
The illustrations beautifully support this homage, with Bach (portrayed in musical notation on the dedication page) always surrounded by musical notes and colors. The text, an imagined first-person narrative, is not always set linearly. Dark pages show him mourning the loss of his parents. Color reappears as he discovers the patterns in the music he copies and plays. Patterns of colorful swirls indicate the sounds in his head. In a conductor's pose he seems to construct a towering edifice of music on staves that he seems to construct in a conductor's pose. there are even notes on the ripples in the water. The narrative concludes when he "pulls out all the stops" at the organ -- turn book to see the swirls of music rising and finally an audience, down to modern day diversity, all appreciating the swirls. There's back matter, too. A loving depiction of possibly the greatest composer of all time.
The illustrations beautifully support this homage, with Bach (portrayed in musical notation on the dedication page) always surrounded by musical notes and colors. The text, an imagined first-person narrative, is not always set linearly. Dark pages show him mourning the loss of his parents. Color reappears as he discovers the patterns in the music he copies and plays. Patterns of colorful swirls indicate the sounds in his head. In a conductor's pose he seems to construct a towering edifice of music on staves that he seems to construct in a conductor's pose. there are even notes on the ripples in the water. The narrative concludes when he "pulls out all the stops" at the organ -- turn book to see the swirls of music rising and finally an audience, down to modern day diversity, all appreciating the swirls. There's back matter, too. A loving depiction of possibly the greatest composer of all time.
May 25, 2017
As someone else mentioned, Becoming Bach is not really a biography but how Bach saw and created music. It would be a great book to introduce to a beginner music or to a child who wants to learn how some composers hear, see, and feel music. The author's note in the back does a great job of filling the gaps of Bach's life.
May 26, 2017
Simple biography of Johann Sebastian Bach that would be great for even young readers. The best part was the gorgeous illustrations. I love the use of color to depict music. There is also one spread where the notes of a song make a castle and I love the imagery of how music can tell a story. Simply beautiful.
January 31, 2018
So many books about musicians are too wordy and don’t make great kids books. Take it from a music teacher. I’ve seen quite a few. ☹️. But this selection is fabulous illustration and text so well chosen. A few things I didn’t know! I will probably buy this and pair it with some Bach organ music. Excellent!
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November 8, 2022This book was a very cute book about this musician. I loved all of the colors and pictures throughout the book as well.
This would be a great way to teach art and history at the same time. This book has so much art and color and symbolism, while also teaching the history of a famous artist. This could also be a great music lesson and a way to teach kids how to read music.
This would be a great way to teach art and history at the same time. This book has so much art and color and symbolism, while also teaching the history of a famous artist. This could also be a great music lesson and a way to teach kids how to read music.
June 27, 2017
LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE! I love everything about this picture book biography. The illustrations are magical, the text is simple, but conveys plenty of emotion, and the end matter is stellar. One of my favorites of 2017 so far!
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July 20, 2018Bach is my all time favorite composer--this book is a simple story, but the pictures are super pretty, and there's a more detailed summary of his life at the end. There's so much fascinating info about his life, but this is a great book for younger children.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 66 reviews