Pecorino's First Concert

by Alan Madison, AnnaLaura Cantone (Illustrator)

If you think you know the silliest boy in the world, you're wrong. Pecorino Sasquatch is the silliest boy in the world. Just watch him as he heads off to the first concert he's ever seen, conducted by the world-famous Vittorio Pimplelini. Before the day is out, Pecorino will furmuzzle a man with a long mustache, wamboodle himself down into a tuba, and cause the most Brobdingnagian blast of a note that anyone has ever heard. It's all in a day's work for Pecorino.
This delectably silly musical adventure, written by Alan Madison, the second-silliest boy in the world, features pictures by AnnaLaura Cantone, the silliest illustrator in the world (unless Pecorino decides to take up drawing).

Genres: Picture Books, Music

40 pages, Hardcover

First published June 21, 2005

Reviews

[Laura]

Laugh out loud funny! And I'm not really a laugh out loud kind of reader. Pecorino's mom takes him to his first orchestra concert. "Pecorino was so excited he rabbit-hopped around his room. Then he froze statue still. 'What's a concert?' he asked." The book continues on with these kinds of delightful moments that kids and adults will both enjoy, though for different reasons. At the concert hall, Pecorino winds up getting stuck in a tuba, which he's ejected from in a predictable but utterly fun way.

There's a lot of figurative language and difficult vocabulary in this story. It's definitely a longer read aloud or bedtime story. But it's so much fun! I also love AnnaLaura Cantone's illustrations -- funny, quirky, and vibrant. Her style is more reigned in than her work in Prudence and Moxie, which I found more accessible and enjoyable. Not a book for every reader, but a book that will tickle the fancy of just the right kid.

[Lucy]

Love books that make my boys giggle uncontrollably!

[Dolly]

This is a strange, but humorous tale about a little boy's first trip to a symphony. The narrative includes some wonderfully imaginative words, like furmuzzled, wossle, and wamboodle. And the boy has such a wild name - Pecorino Sasquatch.

The mixed media illustrations are terrific and complement the story nicely. We enjoyed reading this book together.

new word: Brobdingnagian

[Lynette]

I don't know what it is about these books that just KILL me!! I think I have a very vivid imagination and I can imagine the voices of the characters...I don't know-but they are funny stories!

[Dest]

I was impressed by the use of the word "Brobdingnagian," but this is really just a story about a boy who gets stuck in a tuba.

[Michele]

Young Pecorino Sasquatch attends a concert with his mother. While exploring the instruments he puts himself into a difficult position. A wonderful introduction for students to the orchestra.

[Beverly]

The story was OK, but I really do not like this style of illustration.

[Massanutten Regional Library]

Danielle, Central patron, August 2016, 5 stars:

Excellent.

[Kaylin Godfrey]

It was very funny.