Melody Mooner Takes Lessons

A Canadian bedtime classic now available for a new generation of youngsters.

Melody Mooner takes young readers on a rhythmic romp through the months of the year as she experiments with a variety of extra-curricular lessons. In January she attempts figure skating and, in February, she tries skiing. By September, she has had a taste of ballet, gymnastics, judo, soccer, baseball, horseback riding and painting but each experiment ends with her signature "I don't think so…"

However, by story's end, Melody has discovered music- specifically the tuba-and shares her newfound passion with her family, one painful note at a time.

John Bianchi's amusing cartoon illustrations capture the hopes and challenges of each activity - calendar art portrays Melody's grand dreams while larger pictures show the realities she faces with each lesson. In January, a professional figure skater gracefully glides across a bouquet-littered rink while, on the facing page, Melody sits uncomfortably on her bottom.

In January, Mother Mooner took her skating, but Melody said, "I don't think so. I hate falling down on cold ice." As with all Edwards' Mooner stories, Melody Mooner Takes Lessons combines the basics of primary reading skills and a lesson in time with lively illustrations and an amusing story that encourages participation.

Frank B. Edwards lives in Kingston, Ontario.

John Bianchi lives in Arizona.