Pistes d'exploration

Learn more about Chopin and listen to some of his music. How does his music make you feel?

Have you ever found yourself in a situation similar to Frederic’s? Discuss the challenges you faced or overcame. In the end, how did Frederic live up to his namesake? 

List the types of instruments Frederic tried. Have you ever played any of them? Why is it important to try something more than once? What did Frederic learn about music and fitting in? 

Discuss how your name was chosen and why. If you don’t know, interview your parents.

Make a list of music-related words in the text. Sort them into categories: instruments, musical terms, songs or pieces, musicians.

Research online to find lyrics for songs listed in the book. Listen to and learn them as a class.

Map out the types of employment held by your relatives. Present the information to your partners. Discuss why you would like or dislike doing these jobs.

Mots-clés

Picture book , Songs , creativity , family life , musical instruments , musicians , talent

Commentaire descriptif

Any child who’s felt forced to take music lessons will relate to Frederic’s troubles. Coming from a musical family, Frederic’s parents are determined he will play an instrument—they just have to find the right one. The language relays Frederic’s story with lilting humour. He attempts to lose his clarinet: “I must have left it on the bus,’ Frederic said. ‘By accident.’” But the instrument is found, in a “warehouse that was full of all the things people leave on buses. There were sixteen clarinets, nine oboes, six saxophones . . . . Frederic saw lots of other mothers with children searching for their instruments.” Funny, lush illustrations are rich in details, using whimsical line, watercolour effects and snippets of collage. Jagged thunderbolts of sound emanate when Frederic plays the banjo or the cello. Keys literally fly away as he attempts the xylophone. It is only at a family reunion that Frederic finds his unique talent, conducting everyone to create beautiful music. The message about discovering one’s unique gifts will be clear to young readers. Some may wish to reveal their own skills and challenges—and relay the tales of times when they’ve been forced to do things they dislike.