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Monday, January 2, 2023

Anna Maria & Maestro Vivaldi, written by Jan L. Coates and illustrated by Francois Thisdale. Red Deer Press, 2022. $19.95 ages 8 and up


"Anna Maria stood up, hugging her violin. 
"My violin is my friend. When I am sad, 
it plays sad music. When I feel happy, 
it plays happy music .... " She 
hesitated. "And I can see the music."
    "The notes on the page?" the 
Maestro asked. 
      She shook her head. "Music paints 
beautiful colours for me, and shapes." 

An author's note that opens this book tells readers that Anna Maria is a real girl whose teacher was Antonio Vivaldi. The story, though based on some facts, is an imagined tale of what might have happened while he was working with orphans at Anna Maria's school. Following that, synesthesia is described and musicians Billy Joel and Duke Ellington are mentioned as well-known synesthetes. 

Anna Maria loves her violin more than anything else. Vivaldi wonders why she doesn't join the other children at play. She explains that her violin is her friend and its music is her solace. She tells him that the others tease her when she tries to make clear that she sees the music. Vivaldi tells her there will be no teasing when she is a member of the Figlie del Coro. 

The other girls are displeased at her joining them. She pays all attention to the Maestro. He schools her in focusing on her music, and the need for practice. Instead of reading the music's notes, he suggests that she show them the pictures she is seeing in the music she plays. The other students are astounded. Vivaldi takes her to a see the work of artist Marco Ricci. There, they see his paintings of the Four Seasons., 

As Vivaldi sets his four written sonnets to music, he wants Anna Maria to be the soloist! She is brilliant, just as he knew she would be. 

Francois Thisdale creates his art 'from a unique blend of drawing, photography and richly textured acrylic painting combined with digital art'. The Venice setting adds context to this story of music and friendship.                                                                                        


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