Andrea's Fiddle (Book and CD) - Hardcover

Blaine Klippenstein

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1896201822 ISBN 13: 9781896201825

Publisher: Loon Books Publishing, 2008

Synopsis

Includes Bonus CD! A lovely hardcover edition with vivid watercolour illustrations, Andrea's Fiddle tells the story of a young girl who receives a special gift of a fiddle from her Grandfather. Through the fiddle, readers are acquainted with the story of Andrea s great-great-Grandfather and his friend the Old Spruce tree. They are also introduced to a number of classic fiddle standards, which they can then listen to on the bonus CD included with the book. This CD features Desmond Lagace playing songs from the story and providing a tutorial for aspiring fiddlers, as well as narration of the book by Susan Dupuis. Andrea s Fiddle is entirely made-in-Manitoba product, with all printing and CD recording done locally.

About this title

About the Author:

Blaine Klippenstein has lived most of his life in Northern Manitoba where he has been a commercial fisherman, musician, educator, poet, chef, snowshoe maker and snowmobile repairman. Blaine started to write for Loon Books Publishing because, as an early childhood educator, he realized that it was important for children in the North to have books that were relevant to them and that reflected their everyday experiences.

Review:

Andrea's Fiddle by northern Manitoba author Blaine Klippenstein is a children's picture book in which Andrea's grandfather tells her the story of the beautiful fiddle that he is passing down to her. This fiddle, he tells her, was created many years ago by her great-great-great-grandfather, Gabriel. Gabriel and his wife, Marie, lived on a small river lot with their children, and nearby Gabriel had a favourite tree, his friend, Old Spruce. He used to talk to Old Spruce and practise his fiddle there, playing all the Metis tunes he loved. One day, Old Spruce whispered to Gabriel that he would not live through another winter, and he asked Gabriel to keep his spirit alive by making a special fiddle out of his wood. That fall Gabriel cut down the tree and carefully used the wood to carve a fiddle with a picture of Old Spruce engraved on its back. The music from this fiddle was beautiful and Gabriel used the fiddle for many years. It was passed down from one generation to the next, but always the story was given with it as it was passed along. Andrea's Fiddle is well told, in a lyrical manner, complemented by the beautiful pictures of Christie Jedele, a teacher and illustrator from Flin Flon who works primarily in water colours. An extra bonus is the accompanying CD, which includes the book nicely narrated by Susan Dupuis, as well as all the traditional Metis fiddle tunes that are mentioned in the story. These are played by musician Desmond Lagace from Swan River, who both teaches and produces music. Teaching songs, in both slow and fast versions, as well as tablature are included at the end of the CD, so that beginning fiddlers can follow along. Author Blaine Klippenstein has lived most of his life in northern Manitoba, working at a variety of occupations, including that of early childhood educator. In this role, he helped start a fiddling program for children, first in the community of Sherridon and later all over the Frontier School Division. More recently he has started to write for Loon Books Publishing, in order to help bring stories to northern children that reflect their culture and everyday life. Besides this book, he has also written stories for the Northern Learning-to-Read Series. Andrea's Fiddle is a delightful book that children of various ages, as well as adults, will enjoy. Very young children might find the story too advanced, but those from about five and up will like the story and the vibrant pictures, and can enjoy the CD as well. --Review by Donna Gamache for Prairie Fire, A Canadian Magazine of New Writing

About this edition

• Publisher: Loon Books Publishing
• Publication date: 2008
• ISBN 10: 1896201822
• ISBN 13: 9781896201825
• Binding: Hardcover
• Illustrator: Christie Jedele