Handel, Who Knew What He Liked: Candlewick Biographies Read Free Books and Download eBooks
A droll biography reveals the high notes—and the low notes—in the life of the world’s foremost composer of Baroque music.This is not your usual picture book biography. Nor was George Frideric Handel your everyday eighteenth-century composer. This witty and yet rigorously researched and accessible biography captures Handel’s essential spirit—from a child who smuggled a clavichord into the attic to play music against his father’s orders to a young man who imported forty-five pounds of mountain snow to chill wine for a gala—as well as his remarkable, enduring musical triumphs. But M. T. Anderson also shows Handel’s struggles and chronicles the illness, ill fortune, and despair that led to his greatest achievement, the Messiah. With impeccable detail and a wink at the reader, Kevin Hawkes illustrates the singular story of Handel and the music through which he lives on.
Lexile Measure: 550L (What's this?)
Series: Candlewick Biographies
Paperback: 48 pages
Publisher: Candlewick; Reprint edition (September 10, 2013)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0763666009
ISBN-13: 978-0763666002
Product Dimensions: 6.1 x 0.2 x 9.1 inches
Shipping Weight: 5 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
Best Sellers Rank: #489,876 in Books (See Top 100 in Books) #29 in Books > Children's Books > Arts, Music & Photography > Music > Classical #33 in Books > Children's Books > Arts, Music & Photography > Music > History #111 in Books > Children's Books > Biographies > Musical
Age Range: 8 - 12 years
Grade Level: 3 - 7
This is a biography that is fun enough to use as a read aloud. According to Anderson, Handel was quite a character, sneeking things behind his father's back and dueling with his best friend. The funny personal anectdotes spice up the great historical information on each page. The illustrations give a good sence of Handel's personality, and of the period. I especially liked the rococo frames and end pages. Anderson has included a time line, list of recordings, and further reading at the end of the book. Grades K-3.
On the opening page of M.T. Anderson's and Kevin Hawkes' new picture book biography is a portrait of Handel with a bit of commentary attached. "This is George Frideric Handel. He looks very satisfied with things. He's smiling a little, as if he's very sure of himself. You'd have to be sure of youself to wear a wig that gigantic." And that, in a nutshell, describes this world famous composer. Handel was a man who knew what he wanted. Even as a child he was headstrong and decisive. He knew what he liked, he didn't care what others thought, and he made it happen. He was a man of force and spirit who controlled his own destiny, and in doing so became one of the most beloved and respected composers in the world; a man who's music has lived on for centuries..... M.T. Anderson's witty and irreverent text is full of history, marvelous anecdotes of some famous and not so famous events, fun facts, and trivia, and enhanced by Kevin Hawkes lush and expressive artwork. Young and old alike will relish the drama, humor, and brilliant detail in each picture With sidebars within the text explaining musical terminology, and a timeline of Handel's life, and lists of recordings and other biographies at the end, Handel: Who Knew What He Liked, is a joyous, fun-filled masterpiece that is sure to whet the appetites of youngsters 8-12. One of the best new books of 2001, this is definitely a biography that shouldn't be missed!
I read this book to my 4th grade music students. It has a tiny amount of humor, and makes students feel connected to Handel as a person, not just a composer. They especially like the part that describes Handel's duel with Matheson. I recommend this book to fellow elementary music teachers. It takes about 20 minutes to read aloud.
There are not many 8-12 year olds who would willing pick up a biography of Handel or any other musician from "ancient" history. However, M.T.Anderson's and Kevin Hawkes' witty yet factful story with illustrations that would appeal to the younger and not repel the older reader is engaging and will capture their attention. So the reader that needs to learn to read biographies yet would find the typical versions unappealing has a great choice in this biography.The author brings out that as a child HANDEL was willful and intent on getting his way and do what he liked - playing music. He grew to be a man strong in spirit who took control of who he was and what he did and where he did it. His music has survived since the early 1700s. The young reader will enjoy the drama in the story-telling, the humor, and the tidbits of additional information tucked at the bottom or side of the pages.I think it is very appropriate to review this book and bring respect to the composer of The Messiah - one of the greatest and most inspiring oratories ever written - George Frederick Handel, as the Christmas season approaches and choirs across the world will sound forth the glorious chords and vibrant message in music of The Messiah. Like the author, M.T.Anderson, I too have sung parts of The Messiah. My husband sang it with the University of North Carolina choir years ago. We thank you, Mr. Handel for this wondrous music.I encourage parents, music teachers, classroom teachers, and librarians to get a copy of this biography of Handel for their readers age 8-12.DISCLOSURE: I was provided a complimentary copy for the purpose of this review. I received no compensation and was not required to write a positive review.
It's very difficult for me to assign a number of stars to this book. On the one hand, I can see the value of this book for children in the 8-12-years category. It introduces them to Handel, gives a lot of information about the period he lived in, and tells the story of his musical life, while giving some interesting anecdotes in sidebars. There is a LOT of information packed into this book. And, the title is wonderful, and its meaning resonates in the story.On the other hand, I was disappointed in the way this book sounded when read. It sounds uninteresting, flat, with no peaks. This may be due to the nature of the sentences. Subject-Verb-Object -- sentence after sentence after sentence follows this pattern, making the telling of the story sound plodding. I missed a sense of cause-and-effect, a sense of movement, a sense of relationships, a sense of varying sentence structure. Anderson is a talented writer, so I don't know if he did this deliberately, thinking it served some purpose, or if he fell into it without thinking because he was writing a picture book.In addition, the pages are dark:dark colors, dark art. I'm not sure why this was considered necessary, or why somebody thought it enhanced the story.I would have to say this book is worth reading for its information, but not for the way the story is told.
Handel, Who Knew What He Liked: Candlewick Biographies Handel, Who Knew What He Liked Skit-Scat Raggedy Cat: Candlewick Biographies: Ella Fitzgerald Footwork: Candlewick Biographies: The Story of Fred and Adele Astaire Electrical Wizard: Candlewick Biographies: How Nikola Tesla Lit Up the World Becoming Babe Ruth (Candlewick Biographies) Lady Liberty: Candlewick Biographies: A Biography Myths Busted! 3: Just When You Thought You Knew What You Knew National Geographic Kids Myths Busted! 2: Just When You Thought You Knew What You Knew . . . National Geographic Kids Myths Busted!: Just When You Thought You Knew What You Knew... Secret Stories of Walt Disney World: Things You Never Knew You Never Knew (Volume 1) Frankie Liked to Sing Get Liked! Promoting Your Business Online with Social Media Marketing Liked: Whose Approval Are You Living For? World History Biographies: Leonardo da Vinci: The Genius Who Defined the Renaissance (National Geographic World History Biographies) World History Biographies: Mozart: The Boy Who Changed the World with His Music (National Geographic World History Biographies) Rihanna (Blue Banner Biographies) (Blue Banner Biographies) Vanessa Anne Hudgens (Blue Banner Biographies) (Blue Banner Biographies) Timbaland (Blue Banner Biographies) (Blue Banner Biographies) Brett Favre (Blue Banner Biographies) (Blue Banner Biographies)
