LoveReading4School's Book of the Month
Age 7-9 | Paperback | 64 pages | 250 x 200mm
Publication 29 April 2021 | ISBN 9781912213870
Discover the thrilling story of opera with Jack, Megan and the time-travelling Trunk.
A school trip takes Jack and Megan to the Natural History Museum, London, where they are reunited with their old friend Trunk. Freeing him from an exhibit, they are whisked back to the Classical period (c. 1730-1820) and the cities of Salzburg and Paris. Here they learn all about this momentous era in musical history from the creators themselves.
Tasked with taking the music and stories of Windy Wolfie (Mozart, the penniless prodigy), Riotous Rossini (the king of the dining table) and the moody and resilient Bilious Beethoven back to the present, Jack and Megan soon find themselves caught up in the return of the Queen of the Night, Mozart’s most evil creation. Who will win the day and can Jack and Megan keep their heads off the block?
Join us on another unforgettable leg of this 500-year journey, told like never before.
Books in the series:
Welsh editions:
Mark Llewelyn Evans is the founder and creative director of ABC of Opera Productions, which tours UK-wide introducing children to the stories and glories of the opera through music and storytelling. Mark is a professional opera singer who has sung the principal baritone roles for many of the opera houses and lives in Llantrisant, Wales. Mark was the winner of the Amati Guildhall Creative Entrepreneurs’ Award 2019. Find out more and watch his showreel at
www.markllewelynevans.co.uk.
Karl Davies is an exciting children’s book illustrator whose work brings the cast and characters of the ABC of Opera vividly to life. His other illustration work includes three children’s stories with Roy Noble: Walking with Bamps, The B Team, and its sequel, A Winning Wednesday. Karl is a landscape artist and lives in Pontypridd, Wales. karlpic.co.uk.
Reviews:
‘Please include this book in your collection it will inspire your children and more importantly you’ll adore it yourself. I only wish I'd met ABC when I was in school.’ Anthea Turner
‘The Academy of Barmy Composers is gloriously full of fun and facts, illustrated lavishly and quite irresistible. Fabulous in every way.’ Joanna Lumley
'Book 2 from the ABC is a vibrant read with dynamic characters leaping from every page. Visually thrilling, it's a dazzlingly colourful whirlwind ride through a fascinating world.' Eloise Williams
‘The history of classical music has never been so much fun!’ National Children’s Orchestra.
‘A text that tempts, informs and delights. A pleasure to read.’ Professor Teresa Cremin, Open University.
'An irresistible introduction to classical music for the young.' Andrea Reece, LoveReading4Schools
'The book is a joy to read and would be a huge asset to any music curriculum, but also works incredibly well as a story book for any primary classroom teacher...The beautiful illustrations throughout the book are a highlight, along with the songs sung by the composers (my personal favourite being ‘Bravo Rossini, bring tortellini’), both serving to bring the world of the Classical era to life. The Academy of Barmy Composers was truly a pleasure to read, and I will be tracking down the Baroque, Modern and Romantic books in the series.' Elinor Bishop, Music Teacher