Book Details
Written by
Illustrated by
Genre
More details
See more book reviews

Piano Starts Here (by Robert Andrew Parker)

common sense media says

Masterful illustrations and an inspirational bio.

parents & educators say
Be the first to review it

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that this book may be too long-winded for the youngest listeners, but its inspirational message makes it worth a shot.

Positive messages: Despite setbacks, Art Tatum becomes a master pianist.
Violence & scariness: Not applicable.
Language: Not applicable.
Our ratings and reviews are informed by child development guidelines. Learn more.

More on Piano Starts Here

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
Families can listen to some of Art Tatum's music to understand how truly talented he was. Kids who like his music can explore other artists of the same era and the musicians who went on to interpret Tatum's work.

What's the story?

What's the story?
Art Tatum is born blind in Toledo, Ohio, and eventually becomes world-famous as a leading jazz pianist.

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 
Art Tatum was born in Toledo, Ohio, legally blind but well-loved. He grew up at the piano eventually becoming world-famous and revered. This book traces his beginnings, letting kids glimpse the childhood of one of jazz's most inspirational talents.

Parker is a Caldecott honor-winning illustrator and his pictures here do much to bring the story to life with old-fashioned details that effectively convey the time period. The story itself may be too long for some of the littlest kids, but parents can start with the pictures and then move to the text as their child's attention span lengthens. For those kids caught up in Tatum's story, Parker supplies a more thorough biography in back along with resources families can explore.

Book themes & details

Book Details
Author: Robert Andrew Parker
Illustrator: Robert Andrew Parker
Publisher: Schwartz & Wade
Publication date: January 8, 2008
Number of pages: 40
Hardcover price: $16.99
Read Aloud: 4
Read Alone: 8
This review was written by Dawn Friedman
 
 

Review It

 

Review Piano Starts Here

Hang on! You need to be a member to post your review.
A safe community is important to us. Please observe our guidelines.
 

There aren’t any reviews yet. Ask your friends to review this title.

More reviews ...

An independent voice for families
Age-appropriate reviews
Advice on the big issues
 

vote now

Will you read Piano Starts Here?

Won't miss it
On the fence
No way

Already read it? What do you think?

I recommend it
It's a pass
 

Great alternatives handpicked by our editors

Browse more books
About our rating system
ON: Content is appropriate for kids this age.
PAUSE: Know your child, some content may not be right for some kids
OFF: Not age appropriate for kids this age
Our child development rating guidelines