Because by Mo Willems - ESSENTIAL

Because by Mo Willems, illustrated by Amber Ren.  PICTURE BOOK Hyperion Books, 2019.  $18.  9781368019019  

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3), EL – ESSENTIAL  

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH  

This book follows all of the events that lead up to an orchestra performing a piece by Franz Schubert.  It also shows events that lead to a little girl having the opportunity to go to the same performance because her uncle doesn’t feel well, and her aunt had the extra ticket.  The little girl is mesmerized by the beauty of the orchestra and goes on to study music and become a conductor of an orchestra herself.  

Where to begin with this adorable book.  The illustrations are so well done.  I especially loved the colorful explosion that the little girl sees when the orchestra plays.  Most every sentence begins with “because” and connects the events that lead to the hard work of an orchestra performance and shows how each musician followed their dreams.   This book is inspiring and great for music lovers or anyone who has dreams they are chasing.  

Reviewer, C. Peterson