Star: The Bird Who Inspired Mozart

by Mireille Messier, Matte Stephens (Illustrator)

A chance encounter with a starling inspires Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart in this picture book based on a true story.

The Bird Who Inspired Mozart is based on the true story of how Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, one of the world's most remarkable musicians, was inspired by one of the world's most unremarkable a starling.

In this charming picture book, author Mireille Messier tells the story of a very special relationship and how it with a chance musical encounter. And Matte Stephens's playful art captures both the grandeur of 18th century Vienna and the budding unlikely friendship between a famous musician and a humble starling.

Genres: Picture Books, Biography, Music, Childrens

36 pages, Hardcover

Published October 11, 2022

Reviews

[Rosh · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had expected to like this a lot more, but it was good, not great.

The book is based on the true story of Star, a starling that became composer Mozart’s muse and beloved pet, to the extent that Mozart even had a funeral for Star when it died. But somehow, the connection between the two doesn’t come out strongly in this book. Most of the book focusses on Star, and there are barely a couple of pages about how exactly Mozart was inspired by it. The author’s note at the end of the book is excellent and reveals more about this odd relationship, but this should have been part of the story and not the note.

Of course, the part that focusses on Star is fantastic. It reveals the bird’s love for music and its special talent for mimicking sounds. Kids who love animals/birds might still be enthralled by the story, especially if they hadn’t heard of it before. After all, starlings are considered an invasive menace in the US, so to see it as a pet would come as a surprise to many.

I was aware of this story through Lyanda Lynn Haupt’s “Mozart's Starling”, which was an informative as well as entertaining book. I expected the children’s book to be as charming, but it didn’t appeal to me as much as I had expected.

I am not sure how I feel about the illustrations. On one hand, they are bright and colourful. But they are drawn as a little child would draw people, not like stick figures but with basic features. This might have been a creative call but I don’t think it worked well for the book. One woman appears to be in some kind of knee-length strapless dress, which would be a strict no-no in Mozart’s era.

The language is pretty easy for beginner readers. The book is aimed at readers aged 4-8 years.

All in all, yes, it is a novel story and might work for little readers. It might also work for teachers looking for an unusual story of nature for grades 1-2. I think I would have enjoyed it more had I not been aware of this anecdote.

3.5 stars.


My thanks to Penguin Random House Canada, Tundra Books, and NetGalley for the DRC of “Star: The Bird Who Inspired Mozart”. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.


For adult readers who want to know more about Mozart’s connection with Star, please try the Lyanda Lynn Haupt book. You can read my review of it HERE.





***********************
Join me on the Facebook group, Readers Forever! , for more reviews, book-related discussions and fun.

[theliterateleprechaun · Rating 5 out of 5]

“What will we compose today, my friend?”

Inspiration comes in many forms and Canadian author Mireille Messier shows us that one of the most famous composers of all time was inspired by a starling! Yes, a humble bird.

You’ll be amazed to read about Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and his friendship with Star, his starling. Like many serendipitous moments, Mozart’s came as a chance encounter when he walked past a pet shop. Hearing the starling chirping a tune, stopped Mozart in his tracks. You see, it wasn’t just any tune, it was the tune from his newest and unreleased piano concerto! He had to have the bird. True story.

You’ll have to read to discover the famous works composed during their 3-year friendship and about the funeral Mozart was prompted to give for his muse.

Children will love the whimsical, bright, bold and detailed illustrations by Matte Stephens. He’s captured the essence of 18th century Vienna in his art and, although young children might not understand this, they’ll be captivated as their eyes scan the drawings. There’s something new each time they read!

This opens up the discussion about appreciating birds in the wild versus containing them for our own purposes, discussions about muses, and something children may already know about, friendship.

I don’t think I’ll listen to another Mozart concerto or symphony without thinking about Star.

I was given this advance copy by Mireille Messier, Penguin Random House Canada, Tundra Books and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.

[Marsha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Everything about this book is subtly designed to intrigue a young reader into exploring Mozart's music, a time in history, starlings, and the concept of narrative non-fiction. The bright and cheerful illustrations are not at all intimidating and the book exemplifies the "less is more" philosophy. A gem.

[Storywraps · Rating 5 out of 5]

This delightful picture book biography is about Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, an outstanding world-renown musician, and is based on a true story. He encounters a plain, unpretentious starling who exhibits knowledge of his music and acquires the little bird for his pet.


" The story goes that over two hundred years ago, while passing by a pet shop in Vienna, Austria, Mozart heard a starling whistling the tune from his newest and unreleased piano concerto. Enchanted, the composer bought the bird and brought it home where it quickly became a cherished family pet."

For three years they are inseparable. Their relationship is unprecedented. When his beloved companion dies Mozart holds a funeral in his honour. I am sure he was sorely missed by the musical genius. It's truly magical how a humble starling could inspire one of the greatest virtuosos of all time... but he did just that!

The illustrations are whimsical and playful and the colour pallet is visually engaging. I would recommend this book to be in classrooms and elementary school libraries. I really enjoyed it and highly recommend it be added to your child's library.

[Donna Maguire · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a really sweet little book about Mozart and a Starling that helped inspire him

I read the book with my 5-year-old daughter and she really enjoyed it and it was a lovely story that discussed the relationship that Mozart had with Star. I hadn't heard of this true story before but it was a delight to read!

The illustrations were lovely and they really suited the book

It is 4 stars from me for this one – highly recommended

[Angie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This picture book biography teaches readers about Mozart by telling the story of a bird that became his pet and inspired some of his music. The illustrations are beautiful and the concept, that the natural sounds of a bird could be the inspiration for famous pieces of music still celebrated today, is something that young people will enjoy. I could see Music teachers and classroom teachers sharing this story when teaching art history or about biographies that are slightly outside of the typical biographic information and genre. I would recommend this book to teachers and families of children in the 5-10 age range. Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.

[Nette · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had never heard of this true story and it was quite a treat. The vibrance of Matte Stephens illustrations is a treat and cute. Mireille Messier brought us a true story and made it easy to comprehend, creative, and humorous for children that will surely find curiosity in any bird they see and probably try out a tune of their own just in case another Star is perched somewhere listening in.

[J · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC provided by publisher via NetGalley for honest review.

This was such a cute, short read! I had never heard this story told before so it was very sweet to read it. My favorite part of this book was the illustrations. They were fun and quirky.

[Theediscerning · Rating 1 out of 5]

Apparently, Mozart heard one of his latest tunes from the mouth of a starling, before it had been made public, and so went to the bird-catcher in whose cages it sat and bought it, thus forming a strong bond between them for a good couple of years. This fictionalised version of it shows the starling copying all the sounds of the city, and then becoming a lover of music as a result, only to clam up in the grubby hands of the pet dealer. Erm, well I guess there's a story about freedom there, and the power of music, but this taught very little about Mozart, and to my tastes was absolutely ugly to look at. The fact the tale is just an unusual anecdote, better told straight than in the illogical way we get it here (why does Mozart buy the bird when it's mute?!), added to the fact that it's so visually unappealing, means I cannot recommend this effort.

[Andrew · Rating 3 out of 5]

Who would guess that a Starling had a biography?!

Based on the true story of famous composer, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, had a pet starling that provided him with a lot of inspiration for almost a dozen compositions and an opera!

The story has a unique twist though about this particular star...How did it know?

While the story's simplicity is compacted into under 30 pages, it is the factoids at the back of the book that are much more interesting.

While I'm not a fan of the art style by Matte Stephens, it was a fast and cute read. Also a great intro to Mozart and showcase for animal stars;

[Ainun Zahra · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn't like the book as much as I wanted to. The illustrations are interesting and quirky but the information felt inadequate, wish it told more about Mozart and gave more details on Star and Mozart's friendship. The way the bond was formed is undoubtedly an interesting tale. I love that it is written in an easily understandable language for kids to enjoy, wholly appreciate the effort and the idea. My favourite part is the author's note as it explains the story better. Recommended.

[Ryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is based on a true story of Mozart and his pet bird. Turns out this bird was a regular, common starling. But this bird could carry a tune and Mozart fell in love with it and it fell in love with Mozart. The story is simple and one I think that kids would appreciate. The artwork I like, but at times it’s a little odd. I do love how the author plays with color. Overall this is a nice read and a nice story of Mozart but not one that’s truly memorable.

[Tiffany M. · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a primary music teacher, I am always on the lookout for up and coming educational Childrens books. If you are a parent or teacher looking to enrich your child’s understanding of music and Mozart, check out this non-fiction picture book about Mozart’s pet, “Star.” I thought this story made for a clever tale as part of a lesson about Mozart, but I thought that the illustrations could have been better.

[Danielle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Before reading this book I did not know about Mozart’s bird, Star. I do love non-fiction children’s books and appreciated that the author, Mireille Messier, chose to tell this story.
I know this is a children’s book but I felt it was lacking a bit of depth. I was also not a huge fan of the illustrations but that is a personal preference.
Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Random House Canada for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Bethe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Delightful story based on actual events in my favorite classical composer’s life. Reminds me a little of the mockingjays from the hunger games. Quirky color palette for the cartoonish art sometimes works and sometimes the colors get lost in the background. Author note explains more about Mozart and his pet bird

[Tina Hoggatt · Rating 5 out of 5]

This delightful author has had such good luck with her illustrators. Here, Matte Stephens uses blocks of color and simplicity itself to illustrate the true story of the starling - starlings are noted mimics - that he kept as a pet and inspired some of his most memorable music.

[Emilee (emileereadsbooks) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to Netgalley and Tundra Books for a free digital copy.

What a cool story about the real life bird who inspired Mozart. I loved how quirky and fun this story is.

[Vivienne Strauss · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lovely story for children and beautifully illustrated.

[Jennifer]

I received a sampler eARC courtesy of Tundra Books (NY).

[Angelina · Rating 3 out of 5]

Didn’t care much for the illustrations.

[Stephanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

A simple story, but a sweet one. The illustrations are lacking--too cartoonish.

[Luella Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting story and cute illustrations.