From School Library Journal
Grade 4-6–A well-researched and engaging biography. Konieczny makes history come alive by painting a lively picture of arguably Canada's most famous musical genius. The book touches on every aspect of the life of this "gentle rebel," from his emergence as a child prodigy to his relationships with his parents, his eccentricities, and, most importantly, his numerous contributions to the world of music through composing, performing, and recording innovations. Both proficient and emergent readers will appreciate the accessible text and the easy-to-handle one- or two-page chapters. A time line and abundant black-and-white photographs of Gould are included, many provided by his estate. An inspired work that stands above others of the genre.–Robyn Walker, Elgin Court Public School, St. Thomas, Ontario, Canada Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist
Gr. 3-5. It's refreshing to see a children's biography featuring a classical musician whose likeness doesn't commonly appear on stern-looking plaster busts. This entry in the Stories of Canada series conveys the importance of Toronto-born concert pianist Glenn Gould without shying away from his many peculiarities, such as his habit of humming while performing and his apparent hypochondria. The material is somewhat loosely organized into titled segments ("American Debuts," "The Last Concert"), each rarely longer than a page, that sketch the arc of Gould's life via anecdotes, quotes, sidebars, and sometimes overly speculative commentary. Best of all are the numerous black-and-white images, at least two per spread. These include dignified publicity photos, caricatures, and images that speak of the pianist's endearingly eccentric personality (one depicts a "collection" of hotel-room keys that Gould absent-mindedly pocketed while on tour). Less worthy of applause is the workmanlike design and the absence of both source notes and an index. Recommended for larger collections. Jennifer Mattson
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Book Description
This illustrated children's biography paints a sensitive and affectionate portrait of the famous pianist Glenn Gould, an enigmatic figure who made some of the most acclaimed classical recordings of the last century. A former child prodigy and an unpredictable, passionate man, Gould was known as much for his eccentricities as his vast musical genius. After retiring prematurely from performing, Gould branched out into work in film and radio and helped bring classical music recording technology into a new age. He has become a national icon in his native Canada.

About the Author
Vlad Konieczny is a writer specializing in corporate communications. He is also a part-time instructor in the Writing and Publishing Program at Simon Fraser University in Vancouver. Born in a refugee camp in Germany in 1946, he immigrated to Canada with his parents in 1951. As a child, he studied piano and accordion in Toronto, competed in many music festivals and played in clubs during the late 1960s and early 1970s before attending university. A former teacher of English and music for the Vancouver School Board, Vlad is also an amateur musician who plays flute in a concert band and alto sax in a fifteen-piece swing band. He first heard Glenn Gould play on CBC-Radio in the early 1960s, and became an instant fan, following the pianist's career until his death in 1982.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

This illustrated children's biography paints a sensitive and affectionate portrait of the famous pianist Glenn Gould, an enigmatic figure who made some of the most acclaimed classical recordings of the last century. A former child prodigy and an unpredictable, passionate man, Gould was known as much for his eccentricities as his vast musical genius. After retiring prematurely from performing, Gould branched out into work in film and radio and helped bring classical music recording technology into a new age. He has become a national icon in his native Canada.

FROM THE CRITICS

School Library Journal

Gr 4-6-A well-researched and engaging biography. Konieczny makes history come alive by painting a lively picture of arguably Canada's most famous musical genius. The book touches on every aspect of the life of this "gentle rebel," from his emergence as a child prodigy to his relationships with his parents, his eccentricities, and, most importantly, his numerous contributions to the world of music through composing, performing, and recording innovations. Both proficient and emergent readers will appreciate the accessible text and the easy-to-handle one- or two-page chapters. A time line and abundant black-and-white photographs of Gould are included, many provided by his estate. An inspired work that stands above others of the genre.-Robyn Walker, Elgin Court Public School, St. Thomas, Ontario, Canada Copyright 2004 Reed Business Information.

ACCREDITATION