"The song starts with a fairground organ
climbing up, up, up a melody staircase
and dancing back down again. A cheeky
clarinet, high and squeaky like a monkey,
plays the tune at first, then raspy horns
come in, all slurry, like tired lions roaring.
Bea's eyes light up.
"It reminds me of the circus," she says."
I listened to this song endlessly twenty years ago when it was a radio hit. What a voice, and what a sad story resulted in it being written. I always loved listening to music, and this one was very appealing. I have included a video of the full song at the bottom of this post.
It is Corinne Bailey Rae's first children's book, and introduces a girl and her great-aunt. It is her aunt who suggests the magic in music to her niece. Every Sunday Bea visits with her Aunt Portia, as the rest of her family is busy with other things. It's an easy skateboard ride to get to her aunt's house; they love to spend the time together. Every week, they share tea and news about the week that has just passed. They go outside to check the garden, feed the animals, and take the dog for a walk.
Today, Bea has a special request:
"Bea says to Portia, "Today I'd like to do
SOMETHING I'VE NEEVER DONE BEFORE."
As luck would have it, Portia invites Bea to follow her upstairs and shows her into a locked room that sparkles with color and contains 'old things of mine', including an extensive record collection that fills many shelves. Portia tells her that she has been collecting them since she was a child. They hold all the songs Portia loves. Here, there are songs for every emotion. As they listen to the music Portia chooses, the two are affected in similar ways to the feelings each song evokes. They talk about their feelings and respond to the wonders of the music they are hearing.
A worry about the thunderstorm outside is eased by a new song played.
"FINDING A SONG YOU LOVE IS LIKE FINDING
A NEW FRIEND WHO SHARES YOUR FEELINGS."
As the two say goodbye, Portia reminds Bea that she can 'put her records on' whenever she needs to do so. Bea can't wait to hear next week's songs. While Portia does not reveal the titles of the songs they listen to, endpapers offer the information needed for readers needing more, and wanting to hear those same songs enjoyed by the two. Ms. O'Mara does a wonderful job with color and motion in her brilliant digital illustrations. An author’s note discusses Rae’s personal connection to the music shared throughout the book.
