The Dance of the Violin

Illustrated by Dušan Petričić

Published by Annick Press

What happens when a big mistake matters — are second chances possible?

Age Level

Kindergarten to grade 4

Curriculum Connections

Music, perseverance, problem solving, self esteem, biography

Activities

Make some music of your own with found objects around your home or classroom.

What’s the biggest mistake you ever made? Can you make up a story about it?

Find some Joshua Bell music on the Internet and listen to it. Make a picture about what you hear.

Reviews

The spare, deceptively simple language and energetic illustrations parallel Joshua’s innate joie de vivre… The text has its own rhythm and implicit melody, while the whimsical illustrations are full of vitality, movement and expression.

Canadian Children’s Book News, Spring 2017

How Joshua overcomes his missteps and plays with a passion that goes well beyond hitting the right notes is the key to the story.

Quill and Quire

Petričić once again uses bright swoops and streaks of color to visualize the sensory joy that music can elicit as Stinson’s direct writing underscores the rewards of dedication to one’s art.

Publishers Weekly, February 20, 2017

Learn More

See what Joshua Bell has to say about what led to Kathy’s second book about him.

Awards

Canadian Children’s Book Centre “Best Books for Kids & Teens” selection

A Top 10 Recommended Read for the TD Summer Reading Club

Next Generation Indie Book Awards finalist

Other Editions

Also available in PrintBraille.

Buy Local

Buy Online

Add to Goodreads