Do Re Mi: If You Can Read Music, Thank Guido D'Arezzo
Kindergarten-Grade 5—Working in the early 11th century, d'Arezzo is widely credited with having formulated the system of musical notation. This fictionalized picture book tells an abbreviated version of his story, following him from a boyhood in the choir to various monasteries to his eventual achievement. The emphasis is on his perseverance as he struggles to develop a system for "writing down thesoundsof a song," and to convince the musical establishment of the benefits of being able to read, rather than memorize, music. The language is simple and intimate, fabricating conversations and thoughts that d'Arezzo and his medieval fellows real. The large-font text moves clearly across the cut- and torn-paper (and the occasional photo) collages that fill the spreads with wonderful colors and fibers. The slightly simplified forms lend a kind of cheery awkwardness and individuality to the characters. The stylized artwork ranges from close-ups to mini-frames to broad landscapes that subtly incorporate d'Arezzo's staff. While the narrative does a good job of explaining the significance of d'Arrezo's innovation, it sometimes oversimplifies matters and gives a sense that he was flying completely solo rather than building on ideas already around. In the actual explication of his system, the glossary has to do the heavy lifting. The book's format is young, but much of its content-including an author's note-is aimed at an older audience with some musical background. This is an attractive if flawed introduction to a little-covered figure.—Nancy Palmer, The Little School, Bellevue, WACopyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.