Ben's Trumpet Live Oak Music Makers :: Education by Design Store

Customer Reviews

Rich, Tender and Soulful

2000-04-26
This one little picture book is among the most beautiful and powerful books I've ever read. In fact I don't feel as if I've simply read this book; I feel as though I've experienced it. It was fast and dizzy, yet calm and peaceful. I could almost feel myself sitting outside on a warm night, listening to the wail of jazz music floating on the air. With its simple, easy charm this book taps into the hopes of a small boy, and gives the reader hope that the goodness of the human spirit can triumph over its evils. This book has some of the most amazing illustrations that I've seen in a children's book, and it uses them very effectively. So, whether you are a parent looking for a book that will stimulate your child's imagination, a jazz enthusiast, an admirer of fine illustration, or just a person looking for a heart-warming experience, this book is a fabulous selection.

Ben's Trumpet--a Caldecott Honor book

1999-12-16
A wonderful book for young children about dreaming/hoping. With few words it gets its point across. Illustrations are incredibly varied and wonderful--I especially love the ones of the musicians! However, I am troubled by the drawing of Ben's father and his friends gambling and drinking--seems to add to stereotypical notions; I'd love to discuss it w/ the author/illustrator.

Playing jazz on a trumpet no one else sees.

1999-05-18
This short book, which was a 1980 Caldecott Honor book (i.e., a runner-up to the Medal winner) for best illustrations in a children's book, is about a young boy who plays jazz on an imaginary trumpet. The book is filled with beautiful black-and-white drawings. Ben's life is changed when a jazz musician notices him.

Great Artistry - Poignant Story

2005-10-19
I bought this book for the illustrations, but I found the story was just as beautiful. My grandson who has just started playing the trumpet loved it, too. In fact, he even made the effort to give me a call after he had read it to share his enthusiasm. I will definately purchase more of this remarkable woman's work,

Ben's Trumpet

2005-02-18
Ben's Trumpet (authored and illustrated by Rachel Isadora) was named a Caldecott Honor book for best illustrations in 1980. Honor! These black and white pics are striking! I'll have to read the book that actually won that year. I can't imagine anything better than "Ben". But that's beside the point.

Summary

Ben has an imaginary trumpet and frequents the outside of the Zig Zag Jazz Club. He plays his "trumpet" for his mother, father, grandmother, and baby sister. But when neighborhood children see him playing, they laugh and call him crazy. Ben decides to quit playing his imaginary trumpet, until he meets with the trumpeter from the club.

Ben's Trumpet is a masterful with a simple text and "art-deco" that is remeniscent of The Jazz Era. Isadora is successful in conveying a cool, jazzy feel. A must-read with a satisfying conclusion. Play on!

R

Riviting and remarkable - a true classic

2004-01-02
There are large and small crimes in the world. Small crimes includes little white lies and petty theft. Large crimes represent something much larger in the grand scheme of things. For example, it is a very large crime that it took the New York Public Library's 2003 100 Children's Books Everyone Should Know for me to discover "Ben's Trumpet". Have you seen this book? This is a gorgeous piece of work, particularly striking in its publication date (1979) but not dated. Not even a little. Following Ben, a young man living in a Harlem-esque neighborhood, the story depicts the boy's obsession with playing the trumpet. The plot is touching and has a happy ending that doesn't feel forced or tacked on. It flows just as smoothly as the book itself. Nice storylines aren't what push this book into greatness, however. Look at the illustrations a minute. Notice Isadora's use of line. Her clever placement of black and white. Look at the different drawing styles that emanate from the jazz musicians and their music. Now compare this to Ben's home, a simplistic realistic series of pictures. My favorite section comes after the trumpeter at the Zig Zag Jazz Club compliments Ben on his trumpet playing. The next two pages show the trumpeter walking away, his body curved, swaying to some internal music. On the opposite page there is a kaleidoscope of forms and images, possibly representing Ben's elation at the compliment. Possibly just serving as gorgeous filler. Please read this to your children. Teach this to your children. And give this book to everyone you know. Do I gush? I know I do. But trust me, this book is worth it.

"Ben's Trumpet" is jazzy and modern

2000-07-24
In the age of computer games and 3-D animation, the simple imagination of a child to envision himself learning to be a jazz musician is refreshing. Unlike previous reviews, I feel the dramatic black and white drawings set off some of the cultural issues the illustrations portray. Obviously, young Ben does not live an idealized childhood at home. Yet, he finds that his passion for music can only be fulfilled outside of jazz clubs (which usually perform late in the evening and he is too young to enter). The point of the book is how he acts out THIS reality. He is looking "outside of the box" (hence the illustrations of his home life) and finds the attention from the father-figure (the trumpeter) who Ben wants to imitate. The book vividly illustrates the importance of role models in a child's life.

Ben's Trumpet

2000-06-01
As an international music teacher we need to give all theencouragement we can give to keep the music programs alive in ourschools. Not just in the states but in the world. This short story relates to the young hopeful musican who hopes to be a contributor to the music world - Keep the dream.