SUMMARY OF 'THE MAGIC PIANO'
'The Magic Piano' is a story for all piano students and parents to read together. It is about the journey of new piano students, from the beginning joy of connecting and performing easy pieces, to the difficulty of learning a new language and mastering technical issues, and to the discovery that hard work results in success and more joy.
Two children, Lia and Ryan, happily begin piano lessons with their grandmother. As they play, the piano, Albero, begins to speak to them, explaining that only children playing him could hear him. Their mother and their friends, unfortunately, could not hear him. They thoroughly enjoyed playing their beginning easy pieces and scales, and talking with Albero. However, as time passed, the piano pieces became more difficult, and they had to work on note reading with flash cards. Practice became more difficult, and so they continued to play only their easy pieces, and avoided the hard work required to progress. When grandmother saw what was happening, she told their mother. The mother's rebuke to the children didn't help in getting them to practice correctly and do the harder work required. Soon, even Albero was unhappy and told them he would have to stop talking to them if they didn't work harder. But then he got an idea! He told them to hang on tight, and the roof opened up so he could take them on a journey, back in time, to introduce them to composers like Vivaldi and Mozart, and show them how music affected lives all around the world. It brought people joy and peace. Through these adventures, the children were inspired to practice once again, and become excellent pianists. There are QR codes in which the author performs the composers' pieces as an interactive listening option for readers.
PRAISE FROM REVIEWERS FOR GABRIELLA RYAN'S FIRST BOOK,
'The Magic Blueberry Bush':
"Loved 'The Magic Blueberry Bosh!'
Eye catching illustrations poll the reader into the magic and allow children to easily follow the adventure and spirit of the story. The lessons of caring, sharing and altruism are gently revealed in an uplifting way by a golden fairy and charming little girl. An all around delightful book!"
From Larry McCann, author of Inhuman Nature
"This is a lovely story that is thoughtful and thought provoking without preaching. The illustrations compliment
the story very well. This will be a book to be shared and discussed. Enjoy and purchase often as a gift."
From Jeannette Mines, author of Misjudged and other books for teenagers.
"Wow!. BEST modern-day fairytale I've ever read. As a retired 3rd grade teacher, this book should be in every school library and read to each child as a read-aloud. The life lessons are profound and the illustrations are exquisite. This book should be on the BEST SELLER LIST!"
From Riki Stone, a retired 3rd grade teacher
"Lovely story and illustrations
Reviewed in the United States on May 23, 2023
This is such a wonderful story, with a gentle, sweet moral. This should be in every children's library and as many homes as possible. Also, the illustrations are doubly impressive when one knows the artist is in Ukraine, making such lovely drawings in the midst of (Dar. BUY THIS BOOK!!!"
From Jan G. Belotte, Telecommunications
"Such a sweet book! A wonderfully told tale with a great moral - and beautiful artwork! It even inspired my daughter to want to plant blueberry bushes in our yard. Perhaps it would bring fairies!: )"