Song of Middle C

by Alison McGhee, Scott Menchin (Illustrator)

From the duo of Alison McGhee and Scott Menchin comes a hilarious tale of a first recital — and a charming ode to chutzpah and creative flair.

Practice makes perfect. And for a little girl facing her first recital of "Dance of the Wood Elves," so do artistry, imagination (those wood elves sure love to dance!), and lucky underwear for good measure. Is she nervous as she waits and waits for her turn on stage? Hoo boy, no! She’s as cool as a cucumber! Every child who has felt the pressure of the spotlight will smile at this comical tale of bravado that turns a onenote performance into an improvisation worthy of a standing ovation. Splendissimo!

Genres: Picture Books, Music, Childrens, Humor, Juvenile

32 pages, Hardcover

First published May 12, 2009

About the author

Alison McGhee writes novels, picture books, poems, and essays for all ages, including the just-published THE OPPOSITE OF FATE, a novel, and the #1 NEW YORK TIMES bestseller SOMEDAY, illustrated by Peter H. Reynolds. Her work has been translated into more than 20 languages. She lives in Minneapolis and California.

Reviews

[Abigail · Rating 3 out of 5]

A young girl practices for her upcoming piano recital in this picture-book examination of stage fright and improvisation. Although confident that she will do well, the girl nevertheless wears her lucky hat, shoes and underwear. Despite all of her preparations however, when the big moment comes she freezes up. Can she save the day, with an improvised "Song of Middle C...?"

Although a little bit of suspension-of-disbelief is required here - would everyone really have been that impressed by the girl's performance? - Song of Middle C is still an engaging book, one which explores an experience that many young musicians and performers will find familiar. The happy ending offers some reassurance to such children, highlighting the idea that stage fright happens to many of their peers, and that it is something that can be worked through. I had a few reservations about the artwork by Scott Menchin - the characters' fingers were out of scale, and slightly off-putting to me - but all in all I liked the humor in the illustrations. Recommended to anyone looking for children's stories about practicing a musical instrument and/or confronting public performance for the first time.

[E.Y.E.-D · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another library book that my daughter picked out and another great read.

This one is about a little girl and her first piano recital. She practiced and practiced and had everything perfect. She has no worries right up until it is her turn to perform, then everything falls apart. But even though she forgot her song she improvises and puts on a magical performance that everyone seems to love.

An all around good story especially if your small person is into activities that require performance.

[Amy · Rating 1 out of 5]

Really unnecessary to talk about underwear (often!) in a book about music...

[Gus · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked that she practiced piano. It made me laugh when she talked about her lucky underwear. I liked that she had to think about how to play piano and then she played the piano like thunder and the wind.

[HeatherAnne Norbury · Rating 4 out of 5]

A cute picture book about a first piano recital. Thus would be good to read before a young student's first recital.

[Kaitlyn Shoemaker · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is for primary grades, contemporary realistic fiction. I really liked this book because it was very relatable to me. I play the piano but get stage fright every time I perform on stage. I really thin this can help students get over stage fright and help build their confidence no matter what instrument they play.

[Dolly · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book shows that even someone who has practiced for a long time can get a bit of stage fright and forget how to play it during a recital. But staying cool and composed goes a long way, and even improvising a song is better than freaking out. This is good advice that can apply to a lot of high-pressure situations. When something goes wrong, roll with the punches and keep your composure. I hope this is a lesson our girls will learn, although I fear it's one that is best learned from personal experience. Our girls also enjoyed watching this book read aloud on the "Tumblebooks" online audiobook site (tumblebooks.com)

[carissa · Rating 2 out of 5]

Recommended Ages: pre-k - grade 3

Practice makes perfect. And for a little girl facing her first recital of "Dance of the Wood Elves," so do artistry, imagination (those wood elves sure love to dance!), and lucky underwear for good measure. Is she nervous as she waits and waits for her turn on stage? Hoo boy, no! She’s as cool as a cucumber! Every child who has felt the pressure of the spotlight will smile at this comical tale of bravado that turns a onenote performance into an improvisation worthy of a standing ovation. Splendissimo!

[Maggie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book as "read" as an audio book.

A story about a girl who practices for her first piano recital, only to end up forgetting her piece, this story is easy to read and ends in a happy way. I don't know how it would have been to read this book with only the illustrations and no audio because I particularly enjoyed getting to hear the piano playing throughout the story. This is a good book to just read for pleasure by any age. It may be a good reference if an elementary classroom incorporates a musical lesson, teaching kids that it's important to practice but okay to forget.

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

A young girl narrates a story about her piano recital. She practices, describes her piece, and tells about her lucky hat, shoes, and underwear. Once she gets on stage, she forgets her piece and improvises 'Song of Middle C.'

The story is cute but not fabulous. I would order this for an elementary school collection if it meets your readers needs. Kids taking music lessons will appreciate the realistic depiction of the narrator's excitement, nervousness, and stage fright.

[Scottsdale Public Library]

This delightful picture book tells the story of a piano recital -- but not just ANY piano recital. A piano recital prepared for with hours and hours of practice, with a little bit of a twist. When the little girl forgets how to play her piece, will she rescue the recital with some neat improvisation? - Karen

[Krista the Krazy Kataloguer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Odd story of a girl who forgets her piece at the piano recital and so makes one up. If I'm understanding the story correctly, her improvisation consists of playing one note. Very strange. I liked the illustrations, though.

[Lucia · Rating 5 out of 5]

For anyone who has ever froze at a performance, this book is for you. If only I had been skilled in the art of improv at a young age, I would have survived piano recitals and school plays without rough memories.

Enjoy.

[Ann · Rating 3 out of 5]

#3 of 4 Minnesota Book Award finalists in the children's literature category. Kids will love the reference to lucky underwear and may even identify with the stressful situation.

http://www.thefriends.org/award_winne...

[Lauren · Rating 1 out of 5]

The girl in the story has a piano recital and she practices for a long time. For her recital, she wears her lucky hat and underwear but ends up forgetting the notes to her piece of music. She improvises the middle C note for her piano recital and ends up being a hit and stroke of genius.

[Melanie Hetrick · Rating 4 out of 5]

A young girl makes sure to wear her lucky hat, lucky shoes and definatly does not forget her lucky underwear on the day of her most important recital that she's been practicing for! Read to find out if the lucky underwear did it's job!

[Amy Brown · Rating 3 out of 5]

A young girl practices and practices for her piano recital but when she gets to the big day, she forgets her piece and creates a new one featuring Middle C.

[Gabrielle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lucky underwear, dancing wood elves, and a character who says "Hoo boy!"

[Tina B · Rating 4 out of 5]

"piano recital, stage fright, improvising"

[Colby Sharp · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book for a child or children that are getting nervous about performing in front of a crowd.

[Gretchen W · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really hit home because of my own piano practice

[Mell · Rating 3 out of 5]

This story has great artwork and a nice message that says we don't have to be perfect, and that things like spontaneity and creativity are admirable traits.

[Bonnie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Simple, amusing, and perfect for the child who has had a similar experience--Haven't we all?

[Kionni Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

i think the girl in this book is taleted and she really know how to play the piano also its because she practice all day and night

[Shamika]

i did not red it but i would like to!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Kionni Wiliams]

hink about the story is that it is funny and the cariter has more actions than i thought the end

[Mae Luna Love (Megan DeTour-Zint) · Rating 4 out of 5]

"True artistry requires great imagination. And great improvisation."

[Bear · Rating 4 out of 5]

Verve and character and lucky underwear! Three of my favorite things!

[Danielle]

I liked the choice here of first person voice for a picture book. Plus, funny!

[Elizabeth]

Theme: piano recital

Notes: dances/imagines herself in underwear