The Fabulous Song

by Don Gillmor, Michelle Campagne, Davy Gallant

Oh, that darn Frederic Pipin! He’ll do anything to get out of learning how to play an instrument, much to the chagrin of his loving parents who named him after the great Chopin. One day however, the little fellow falls under the spell of an amazing conductor and owns up to his name by spinning some magic and writing a fabulous song!

Genres: Picture Books, Music

44 pages, Hardcover

First published May 1, 1996

About the author

Author and journalist Don Gillmor was born in Fort Frances, Ontario in 1959 and presently lives in Toronto, Ontario. Don possesses a Bachelor of Arts degree in English Literature from the University of Calgary. He has worked for publisher John Wiley & Sons, and has written for a number of magazines including Rolling Stone, GQ, Premiere, and Saturday Night.; where he was made a contributing editor in 1989.

Reviews

[Elisabeth]

Sometimes I read a picture book and it rubs me the wrong way, which is what happened with The Fabulous Song. You know those parents who insist that their child is going to be a famous fill-in-the-blank-whatever when they're older? Those are the parents in TFS. Yes, this is a musical family, and yes, everyone seems to play an instrument, but that doesn't mean that your newborn or toddler has talent. You know those parents who don't hold their kids to commitments and so they jump from activity to activity? Those are the parents in TFS. Frederic tries 11 (eleven) different instruments over the course of several months, doesn't sound good while playing them, and moves on to a new instrument. That is not how you go about learning to play anything. You know those parent who let their kids be such brats that they're actually affecting other people? Those are the parents in TFS. Little F announces loudly to the world that his sister, who's just performed in a big concert, has a pimple on her nose and no one says a word. Little F swats his uncle on the head three times with a wooden spoon and again, crickets. There some lovely message about bringing everyone together with the power of music and direction that I'm missing because I disliked everyone in the book so very much. The upside? I loved illustrations of music in the book; they're very well done.

[Cheriee Weichel]

I should know better than to read books I am contemplating waiting. It’s just the cover drew me in and then I had to keep reading. It’s the story of a homely baby named after Frederic Chopin. Although his parents try to get him to play some kind of musical instrument, Frederic seems to be a failure. In the end it’s quite remarkable what he can actually accomplish.

[Marie-Pier Dodier]

Avec CD. Plusieurs artistes actuels.

[Lynn Davidson]

When Frederic was born, his parents decided he was musical, so as he grew they got him instruments and lessons. His sister could play the piano very well, but Frederic could not play anything he tried. It wasn’t until he went to the youth orchestra concert in which his sister was playing that Frederic discovered what he liked most. Great story and illustrations.

[Sandy Brehl]

A unique story with unique illustrations, yet dealing with an familiar issue- parental expectations, finding your true self, family values. Lots here to enjoy as well as to explore and discuss.

[Cara Noyes]

i want to share this with my students.