THERE IS NO better way to introduce children to classical music than with Prokofiev’s musical fairy tale of the little boy (played by all the...
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reviews
Dec 10, 2008
Tasha
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Raschka has taken Prokofiev's orchestral masterpiece and reworked it into a picture book that both pays homage to the music and also takes it to a different place. The book introduces each character in turn, gives them a voice and a sound and has them appear on the stage. First comes Peter, who is a spinning, twirling, whirling force. Then comes the bird, who is a delight to read aloud with his stutter and rhythm. My favorite then enters, the duck, who virtually yodels, calling his presence
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Oct 17, 2010
Esther
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Peter and the Wolf retold by Chirs Raschka
Atheneum Books for Young Readers, New York, NY, 2008.
Interest Level: Grades 2-6 because the read along could interest developing readers but the cultural connection to the music could appeal to older readers.
This book is an interpretation of Sergei Prokofiev's symphony and story of Peter and the Wolf. The story follows Peter, his grandfather, and various animals as they try to evade the wolf's grasp. The framed illustrations are m More...
Atheneum Books for Young Readers, New York, NY, 2008.
Interest Level: Grades 2-6 because the read along could interest developing readers but the cultural connection to the music could appeal to older readers.
This book is an interpretation of Sergei Prokofiev's symphony and story of Peter and the Wolf. The story follows Peter, his grandfather, and various animals as they try to evade the wolf's grasp. The framed illustrations are m More...
Sep 08, 2010
Shanna
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Here is another illustrated version of Peter and the Wolf. Mikolaycak's paintings are more realistic than Beck's Peter and the Wolf, and they express a brave and dramatic mood very fitting for Prokofiev's wonderful musical creation. They are just a little more frightening than Beck's, but still aren't very scary. Carlson's translation of the piece is quite smooth, but it will fall to an adult to explain which musical instruments are represented by each character. It is, however, more widely
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Aug 18, 2009
Joqui
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Ok, so this is my honest opinion, if you want to read this book go to the library and check it out first. It's cute, has wonderful drawings but in my case it did not keep my child's attention. He just looked at me like I was crazy trying to pronounce the words in the book. Maybe if you quickly read this to yourself before reading it to your child you will have an easier time...
I would not recommend anyone to buy this book, but it does have some awesome illustrations and it's a cute concep
I would not recommend anyone to buy this book, but it does have some awesome illustrations and it's a cute concep
Jul 29, 2011
Eva
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This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
To view it, click here
Feb 22, 2011
Darrielle
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This book is funny and is sure to gain students' interest as they listen to the story of Peter and the wolf. The book is a great tool to incorporate music into a lesson and introduce the class to string, woodwind, brass and percussion instruments that make up the orchestra. In the book the orchestra this book incorporates music otehr animals. Students can make predictions as to what will happen
Jul 08, 2009
Rachel
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This version was translated by Maria Carlson and illustrated by the Charles Mikolaycak. The book is a shortened version of the Peter and the Wolf story, and the wolf gets taken to the zoo by the hunters who were tracking him. These illustrations are good too, though he should stick to people rather than animals, as he seems to capture them better.
Dec 16, 2011
Jennifer
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This is another play tale that I have read I have to say that I like this one better. The book is set up to where it is repetitive. On the first page, it shows the character and the lines it is saying. Then on the second page, it shows which animal is entering next. This is a fun book to do with reader's theatre or even as a class project.
Mar 17, 2009
Stephanie
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My preschooler enjoyed this retelling. Each character is introduced on their own page, with the facing page framed like a stage and illustrating the action when that character enters the play. The nonsense words and repetition are great for preschoolers. Mine enjoyed it at least. But then, she's obsessed with wolves!
Nov 24, 2008
The Library Lady
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I'm sorry. I don't care how many damn awards Raschka gets, I just DON'T LIKE HIS BOOKS!
I don't see what makes his version of "Peter and the Wolf" worth the $18.00 of taxpayer money I plunked down for it. There are far better versions on the shelf already--and they generally even come with a CD of the music.
I don't see what makes his version of "Peter and the Wolf" worth the $18.00 of taxpayer money I plunked down for it. There are far better versions on the shelf already--and they generally even come with a CD of the music.
Aug 14, 2009
Unbelievably confusing and awful. Raschka tries to layer the voices and actions of different characters in this classic fairy tale, but instead creates a jumbled up story that does not hold interest. The appearance of hunters with shotguns (in a picture book) is over-the-top.
Jun 29, 2011
Amanda
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There is a large connection between the story of "Peter and the Wolf" and music that I was completely unaware of.
While I did not take the time to listen to it, there was a disc that was included with this book. After reading some other pages in the book, I discoverd that this was originally wrote as music. Each of the different animals in the book represents a different musical instrument. After reading the book, I find this very interesting, simply because I cannot see More...
While I did not take the time to listen to it, there was a disc that was included with this book. After reading some other pages in the book, I discoverd that this was originally wrote as music. Each of the different animals in the book represents a different musical instrument. After reading the book, I find this very interesting, simply because I cannot see More...
Mar 14, 2009
Jenny
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The sounds created through the words in the book were pretty neat but I was not a fan of this style (I'm the first to admit I am not the most cultured or artistic person so maybe I don't appreciate true "art").
Jan 12, 2009
Molly
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This is a fun retelling of this original. It has a nice twist at the end for the parents who don't want anyone to die. Not my favorite Raschka but I still enjoyed the retelling. Ages 3+.
Jul 14, 2009
Ellen
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Read any other version, I implore you. This one is nonsense. With that said, I'm a fan of Chris Raschka's illustrations, but they don't do enough to save the ridiculous interpretation.
May 02, 2010
Beth
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The duck is not as lucky as Peter. Peter and the bird use teamwork to catch the wolf and enjoy the fact that captured the wolf with the help of the hunters to a place in the zoo.
Dec 31, 2008
Christiane
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I don't love the story of Peter and the Wolf but this combination of Raschka's amazing illustrations and text that reads like music was surprisingly delightful.
Dec 17, 2008
Sam
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Raschka turns Peter and the Wolf into a stage play - the construction itself is worth seeing. It would have been even cooler if he would have just made it a pop-up.
Jun 14, 2011
Helen
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I actually have this on CD and forgot so listened to it today. I could listen to it over and over. Its been my favourite since I was little. I love the Disney film of it
Dec 03, 2008
Amy
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Raschka's version of Peter and the Wolf. I wish it came with the music on a CD. I think I would have liked the book more with that addition.
Sep 25, 2010
Mara
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Cool pictures, but if you don't know the music, this is going to be difficult to follow. And I have no idea how you'd read it aloud.
Nov 24, 2008
Zack
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Love the art, but that is to be expected from Chris Raschka! Text is a bit much and can be hard to follow.
Sep 15, 2010
Fred
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this is a terrific interpretation, the illustrations are spot-on. almost as good as the ballet.
Aug 19, 2009
Kristin
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Couldn't even read it. It was distasteful and boring from the start. Oh well. Cover was fun!
Apr 27, 2009
Tiah
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Great illustrations. A childhood favorite. I think we had a record that we played along with it...
Jun 29, 2011
sanjeeb
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don't have this one w/ the cd although that would be nice. bought a copy for W at 1/2 price books the other day. it's really not that great of a story w/o the music i discovered! the music is what makes it... the ending is totally random and leaves you going 'do whut?' but, it's a classic and the little man has got to start on the classics early! i remember listening to a vinyl of the story as read by William F. Buckley Jr. (w/ music of course) i must say a better voice could not be found
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