The Violin-Maker's Gift

by Donn Kushner, Doug Panton (Illustrator)

Gaspard l'Innocent, a poor violin-maker gives away a young bird he's rescued, unaware that it will make its new owner famous.

74 pages, Hardcover

First published March 30, 1981

Reviews

[Krista the Krazy Kataloguer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Odd fantasy story about a violin maker who rescues a baby bird and gives it as a gift to the toll-keeper at the bridge he crosses. Later, he changes his mind and wants the bird back, but is rebuffed. The toll-keeper keeps the bird confined and displays it for money. I guess the lesson of the story is possessing a living being is not like possessing an object. I think the violin maker does the right thing in the end by freeing the bird. Not bad for the author's first children's book, though I liked his The Book Dragon better.