Arturo's Baton

by Syd Hoff

When an orchestra conductor misplaces his baton and feels he cannot work without it, he learns this it is his own talent, not a little stick, that makes him famous. "Kids will enjoy the lighthearted treatment of a celebrity and the lyrical view of the music he makes." —Booklist

Genres: Picture Books, Music, Childrens

32 pages, Paperback

First published September 18, 1995

About the author

Whether you’re seven or seventy, the chances are you’ve probably come in contact with one of his many books (150 plus), or cartoons that have appeared in over 200 magazines in the course of his lifetime, including Laugh it Off which was syndicated for 20 years. His comic strip Tuffy, about a little girl who did funny things, was declared essential for national morale during WWII by William Randolph Hearst.

Syd has worked in diverse genres. He had the distinct honor of working with Alfred Hitchcock and Ellery Queen as a contributor of short fiction writing. He was awarded national advertising commissions for large companies such as Chevrolet, Maxwell House Coffee and others. He had his own TV show (Tales of Hoff on CBS), traveled the world as entertainment on cruise ships and entertained children and teachers in schools and libraries across the country.

Reviews

[Luisa Knight · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was ok, but not one I’d make a point to seek out again.

Ages: 4 - 8

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Content Considerations: nothing to note.

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[Christine Fricker · Rating 3 out of 5]

Text to Teaching Connection

This is a great story about a conductor who loses his baton and thinks he will not be able to conduct without it. In the end, he is able to conduct even better without it. It's a wonderful story about self-confidence.
A reading response activity to do with the class would be to have them make their own batons and practice conducting. They could listen to music and have the opportunity to conduct fast and slow music pieces.

[Prabhat sharma · Rating 4 out of 5]

Arturo's Baton (Hardcover) by Syd Hoff, Hindi language translation by Vidushak- Children’s Illustrated Colour Picture Book- The book narrates the story of Arturo, a famous Orchestra Conductor. His manger Felix organised his programs. At his residence, his maid looks after him. Hiss pet dog Tuscany lives with him. When Arturo waves his baton fast the trumpet blew and when the baton came slowly, the violin notes would sound. The listeners showered applauded him with bouquet of flowers. After the programme is over, Arturo thanks his little stick: "Without it I could never conduct." But one morning, manger informs Arturo that he has to leave on a world tour on the next day. He places his Baton on the pillow next to him but in the morning, the baton is missing. Felix, maid and Tuscany try to find the baton, but they fail to locate it. Arturo visits musical instrument shops but the batons available there are either too heavy or too light in weight. Arturo decides to conduct the orchestra with his hands. Lo! He is successful in indicating his signs to the members of the orchestra with his bare hands. Arturo understands that it is not the baton but his prowess which passes his instructions to his choir and orchestra members. The colured lively illustrations help the reader in relating to the story. I have read the Hindi language translation of this book.

[Matthew · Rating 3 out of 5]

Okay story about an orchestra leader with a temperament, who thinks that he can't perform well without his baton. I liked it, but it fell a little short. I enjoyed the message that we generally hold onto things that we think will bring us good luck, but we don't trust our own talents. But in the end, the dog took the baton, which I figured, mistaking it for a bone, but when the baton was first lost, the dog was also shocked and looking for it. Huh? My rating - 3/5

[Marit]

Arturo was a great conductor who looses his baton and feels that he can't go on the world tour without the baton. His friend tells him that he is a great conductor and that he can do it without his baton and just with his hands. He does not believe him, but he agrees to try. The concert goes really well, and he can see that he actually is a great conductor even though he did not have his favorite baton. I think this book told a good lesson: You can do what ever you put you mind to, you just got to believe in yourself. This book is easy to read and I think it can be nice to read with elementary school children.

[Kim Zarins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Delightful book, awesome dog, awesome sports jacket for Felix, great message that you can make do with what you've got and still get an encore.

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Delightful, my three year old and I love Syd Hoff.

[Melki · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story is only so-so, but any Syd Hoff book is cause for celebration.