Tuba Lessons

by T.C. Bartlett, Monique Félix (Illustrator)

When a boy's path to his tuba teacher's house leads him through a forest, the boy delights in climbing trees and making music with rabbits, foxes, squirrels, and even a big, scary bear. This colorful and almost wordless story makes for a lesson all kids will want to take.

Genres: Picture Books, Music, Childrens, Animals, Adventure

32 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 1997

Reviews

[Daniel Rodd · Rating 4 out of 5]

On face value this is a (Mostly) text-less story that simply looks at a child walking to his tuba lesson and being late because he is messing around. However there are many potential interpretations of the true meaning of the text. It could be looking at children imagination and the joy it can bring and the power of imagination represented by the bear (Tamed by the boy). Additionally music is a vitally important theme in the story and perhaps the author is exploring the importance of music and practical experience for both children and adults. It seems that there is an overarching metaphor that explores how music can bring individuals from all walks of life together and can even be used to solve conflict. and that while the adult expects the child to learn to play music in a rigid structured way it is in fact his own enjoyment and self expression that is more important to the child's development.

[Eli Poteet · Rating 3 out of 5]

in terms of written words, this brass themed kids book is nearly a silent tale.i thought the bar path was super cute and that the story is a little silly. i strongly want to see the perpetuation of music themes in all ages of literature and it hits a soft spot when it features brass instruments. i feel called to create for this specific arena!

[Jesse Jester · Rating 4 out of 5]

cute book. the illustrations are fantastic and the story, with how the music around them is interactive, was wonderfully creative. it was a little confusing because there were no words and the illustrations were a little ambiguous at times, but i had my preschoolers guess at what was happening and it made it fun for them.

[Anne Lutomia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Picture book that is fun and musical.

[Jaid · Rating 4 out of 5]

Happened to come across the book in French - humorous, sweet, and most of the story is in the pictures drawn.

[Lara Bate · Rating 3 out of 5]

A story about a boy who runs late to his tuba lesson. He ends up playing tuba with the animals outside.

[Rolf · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very cute visuals.

[Robin Obara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Light on plot, heavy on the brass.

[Amy Oelschlaeger · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this wordless picture book. This book gives its readers the opportunity to interpret the story how ever he or she likes. I believe the little boy has an active imagination, and he is trying to make his journey to tuba lessons more exciting. The illustrations ultimately tell the story, and the illustrator chose bright colors of yellows and tans to portray the boy's journey.

[Serena · Rating 3 out of 5]

The entire story centers around a little boy that leaves home to go to his tuba lesson. In order to do so, he has to travel through the woods. Before he leaves his house entirely, he is told to not "dilly-dally" and to go straight to his lesson once he gets through the woods. Like most little boys, he gets caught up in the surrounding area of the forest and explores it, doing exactly what he is told not to. He entertains some foxes, rabbits, and other forest creatures along the way.

Tuba Lessons is almost completely wordless and is told through illustrations. There are a few sentences on the first page of the book and then on the last page of the book. The illustrations take you on the journey that the little boy goes through. There are also subtle little hints within the story that the music the boy creates is actually alive and visible in some way. You can see the staff that music notes are normally located on and some of the animals try to devour the music notes that appear when the boy plays in the pictures. It is a clever way of showing how the boy interacts with the animals on his way to his lesson. And of course, it shows that he did not listen to the guardian at the beginning of the story.

For a book with mostly illustrations it was clever and very enjoyable.

[Tom Simms · Rating 5 out of 5]

I like this book very much. Bethwood said they couldn't get it because they didn't think a kid could carry a tuba. What is their problem? This is a children's picture book and fun and full of imagination. I guess Ms. Wood should have been more concerned about a little boy playing with a Bear? Ellen said she loves how wordless picture books inspire children to fill in the spaces. I agree, however there are times when a child just loves to have fun and not work at filling in the spaces. And this exactly what Tuba Lessons does. It is full of fun and whimsy and the story concept is thoroughly musical. It is cheerful, warm and full of life - perfect for children.

I did happen to see T. C. Bartlett's website overtheedgestudios.net where he explains about the story and why they didn't use his own illustrations. After seeing T. C. Bartlett's illustrations I feel as if his art and original concept is so much better than this publication of Tuba Lessons. His Tuba Lessons book as been given another name, It's Music Time. I love it far more than Tuba Lessons. Even though the plot is basically the same, T. C. Bartlett's original concept is so much better.

[Wanise Little · Rating 4 out of 5]

Genre: contemporary realistic
Grade: 1-2
A fantastic picture book that allows children to interpret the story through the pictures. Lovely illustrations as well.

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

Really cute, very musically inspired book. Kids will love the illustrations.

[Ellen · Rating 1 out of 5]

I love how wordless books can inspire a child to fill-in the story. However, this one just didn't do it for us.

[Paula · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful illustrations of a young boy on his way to tuba lessons. He goes through the woods and music come to life. No words other than the beginning and the end of the book.

[Beth Wood · Rating 2 out of 5]

I can't suspend my disbelief. How could a little boy even carry a tuba? You lost me.

[Tina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tuba love