Professional Reviews
Moses Goes to a Concert
"[An] upbeat story." - School Library Journal
"Millman's story, illustrated in delicate watercolors, ought to pop open a few young eyes (and perhaps some adult eyes as well) . . . The power of Millman's book comes from the simple fact that he levels the playing field; of course deaf children go to concerts, but conveying how they enjoy music removes yet one more barrier between those who can hear and those who cannot." - Kirkus Reviews
"Works so well that you wonder why there aren't lots more books like it . . . Deaf children will welcome this joyful story that talks, without condescension, about the fun they have. Hearing kids, too, will want to learn some of the sign language, and with the help of an adult, they can practice the hand alphabet shown at the back of the book." - Starred, Booklist
"Moses is deaf. . .When he goes with his deaf classmates to a concert, they hold balloons in their laps to feel the vibrations. The percussionist in the orchestra is also deaf...and after her wild, wonderful performance, she meets th deaf children, tells them her story (in ASL), and then allows them to try out all her instruments. . .[A] breakthrough picture book." —Starred, Booklist
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/moses-goes-to-a-concert-isaac-millman/1102947341
The Deaf Musicians
Children's Literature - Janet
L. RoseLee loses his hearing and, therefore, loses his job playing piano in a band, but Lee meets Max, who is also deaf and plays the sax. Together they play music with their hands as they ride the subway. A woman sees them and joins in by playing an upright bass. The three deaf people recruit an interpreter to be their singer and people on the subway start to watch and move in rhythm. Regardless of the medium, whether deaf or hearing, on key or off, Pete Seeger, who often performed while interpreters signed his songs, said that "The real music is in people joining together." He loved to hear people sing along during his concerts. The story is a lesson in acceptance and joy and working together. It is also about pursuing your dreams regardless of what other people think. The story could start a unit on deafness, sign language, coping with life changes, and communicating through the universal language of music.
School Library JournalK-Gr 3-Jazz!
It's all about the rhythm and the sounds, musicians in conversation answering each other with notes and riffs instead of words. But what happens when one member of the band can't hear the notes anymore? Through this rhythmic story, readers meet Lee, who loses his hearing and is asked to leave his band. Luckily, he discovers a whole new world of music that exists in the mind and heart at a local school for the deaf. Christie's snazzy style matches perfectly with the book's vivacity. The expressive faces and bold use of color make the story sing. This is a great read-aloud that begs for enthusiastic performance and audience participation. Both uplifting and inclusive, it is a celebration of music and resilience.-Genevieve Gallagher, Murray Elementary School, Charlottesville, VA Copyright 2006 Reed Business Information.
Kirkus Reviews
After losing his hearing, a piano man finds new musical life. Lee plays piano with a combo at a jazz club. One night, his bandmates notice that he's not hearing their notes; he's afraid to admit that he's losing his hearing. Eventually, the combo has to let him go. On the subway, Lee spots an ad for a school for the deaf. It's a very cool place, and he finds he loves sign language. He and his new friends from the school have jam sessions, using sign language instead of instruments. They practice regularly; when they add a singer named Ellie, they've got a hot new combo that entertains commuters in the subway station. Lee's happy again, as a deaf musician. Seeger and Jacobs' hep narrative is studded with phonic gems ("Bomp," "Phip," "Doodle-bop-bop"), and Christie's colorful paintings have a strong 1950s feel. An unusual story, both stylish and uplifting. (author note) (Picture book. 4-8)
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-deaf-musicians-pete-seeger/1007651435
"[An] upbeat story." - School Library Journal
"Millman's story, illustrated in delicate watercolors, ought to pop open a few young eyes (and perhaps some adult eyes as well) . . . The power of Millman's book comes from the simple fact that he levels the playing field; of course deaf children go to concerts, but conveying how they enjoy music removes yet one more barrier between those who can hear and those who cannot." - Kirkus Reviews
"Works so well that you wonder why there aren't lots more books like it . . . Deaf children will welcome this joyful story that talks, without condescension, about the fun they have. Hearing kids, too, will want to learn some of the sign language, and with the help of an adult, they can practice the hand alphabet shown at the back of the book." - Starred, Booklist
"Moses is deaf. . .When he goes with his deaf classmates to a concert, they hold balloons in their laps to feel the vibrations. The percussionist in the orchestra is also deaf...and after her wild, wonderful performance, she meets th deaf children, tells them her story (in ASL), and then allows them to try out all her instruments. . .[A] breakthrough picture book." —Starred, Booklist
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/moses-goes-to-a-concert-isaac-millman/1102947341
The Deaf Musicians
Children's Literature - Janet
L. RoseLee loses his hearing and, therefore, loses his job playing piano in a band, but Lee meets Max, who is also deaf and plays the sax. Together they play music with their hands as they ride the subway. A woman sees them and joins in by playing an upright bass. The three deaf people recruit an interpreter to be their singer and people on the subway start to watch and move in rhythm. Regardless of the medium, whether deaf or hearing, on key or off, Pete Seeger, who often performed while interpreters signed his songs, said that "The real music is in people joining together." He loved to hear people sing along during his concerts. The story is a lesson in acceptance and joy and working together. It is also about pursuing your dreams regardless of what other people think. The story could start a unit on deafness, sign language, coping with life changes, and communicating through the universal language of music.
School Library JournalK-Gr 3-Jazz!
It's all about the rhythm and the sounds, musicians in conversation answering each other with notes and riffs instead of words. But what happens when one member of the band can't hear the notes anymore? Through this rhythmic story, readers meet Lee, who loses his hearing and is asked to leave his band. Luckily, he discovers a whole new world of music that exists in the mind and heart at a local school for the deaf. Christie's snazzy style matches perfectly with the book's vivacity. The expressive faces and bold use of color make the story sing. This is a great read-aloud that begs for enthusiastic performance and audience participation. Both uplifting and inclusive, it is a celebration of music and resilience.-Genevieve Gallagher, Murray Elementary School, Charlottesville, VA Copyright 2006 Reed Business Information.
Kirkus Reviews
After losing his hearing, a piano man finds new musical life. Lee plays piano with a combo at a jazz club. One night, his bandmates notice that he's not hearing their notes; he's afraid to admit that he's losing his hearing. Eventually, the combo has to let him go. On the subway, Lee spots an ad for a school for the deaf. It's a very cool place, and he finds he loves sign language. He and his new friends from the school have jam sessions, using sign language instead of instruments. They practice regularly; when they add a singer named Ellie, they've got a hot new combo that entertains commuters in the subway station. Lee's happy again, as a deaf musician. Seeger and Jacobs' hep narrative is studded with phonic gems ("Bomp," "Phip," "Doodle-bop-bop"), and Christie's colorful paintings have a strong 1950s feel. An unusual story, both stylish and uplifting. (author note) (Picture book. 4-8)
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-deaf-musicians-pete-seeger/1007651435