Little Stories of Great Composers introduces young readers to classical composers through the eyes and ears of a charming little mouse named Minim. The six-part collection features little-known tales of great composers, including Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, Antonio Vivaldi, Franz Schubert, Joseph Haydn, and Niccolò Paganini.
Concert pianist and renowned music educator Ana Gerhard wrote the series with the goal of making classical music more accessible and adventurous for young learners. “When people think about Bach or Mozart they tend to think of statues and wigs, looking very serious,” Gerhard explains. “By sharing these little glimpses into a moment of their lives, it brings them closer so children can see them as human beings.”
Told through the eyes and ears of a mouse named Minim, whose name was borrowed from a musical time figure that means “very small,” readers meet composers at different stages of their lives and careers. In addition to the hardcover book, children can engage through the audio story, narrated by acclaimed American-Canadian actor, Colm Feore. The CDs and digital albums also include original performances by I Musici de Montréal.
Teach Little Stories of Great Composers
With its combination of biography and captivating storytelling, the Little Stories of Great Composers series can be applied to several school subjects, such as English, music, social studies, drama, and history. Each story closes with A Few Morsels of History, which offers historical and biographical notes on the tale and composer.
These historical lessons are one of the reasons judges awarded That’s My Piano, Sir! with a National Parent Product Award. Homeschoolers such as Mary Prather, who runs SQUILT Music Appreciation and Homegrown Learners, have also sung the praises of the series. “Music and story are a powerful combination!” she says. “These composer biographies are the perfect way to cement the knowledge of musical greats in your children's minds.”
Go behind the scenes and see how each little story comes to life with author interviews and animated videos. These multimedia resources allow young readers to learn how stories come together, from artistic inspiration to creation.
Watch author Ana Gerhard discuss the series
Ana Gerhard shares her vision for the series. Watch to the end for behind-the-scenes footage of the I Musici de Montréal orchestra musicians during the recording process. Read more about Gerhard's inspiration here.
Learn about illustrator Marie Lafrance's art process
From sketch to finished product, see how award-winning illustrator Marie Lafrance added colour to the cast of historical characters. Read the full interview.
Read-along to That’s My Piano, Sir! with the animated video
Follow along with the book or simply watch the animated tale, narrated by Colm Feore. Alongside animations, sound effects and music performed by I Musici de Montréal orchestra bring That's My Piano, Sir! to life.
Discover the Collection
That’s My Piano, Sir!
Travel with Minim to 18th-century Vienna, Austria, and meet a young Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart on his way to play a concert in the city.
At an open-air café on a beautiful spring day, Minim is about to sink his teeth into a Gruyere-topped mouse trap when he is saved by none other than Franz Schubert.
As summer draws to a close, members of the prince’s orchestra long to return home to their families. Only a composer like Joseph Haydn can reason with the prince.
Niccolò Paganini’s most cherished violin is nearly destroyed when a little girl catches it in midair. Filled with gratitude, he performs a special piece just for her.
Subscribe to our monthly newsletter to stay informed about our new releases and events and for a chance to win our subscriber giveaway. To order books for your library or bookstore, please contact Hornblower Books/University of Toronto Press (Canada, United States) and MMS/BookSource (United Kingdom). For additional information, email info@thesecretmountain.com.
Search
Discover the Collection: Little Stories of Great Composers
Little Stories of Great Composers introduces young readers to classical composers through the eyes and ears of a charming little mouse named Minim. The six-part collection features little-known tales of great composers, including Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, Antonio Vivaldi, Franz Schubert, Joseph Haydn, and Niccolò Paganini.
Concert pianist and renowned music educator Ana Gerhard wrote the series with the goal of making classical music more accessible and adventurous for young learners. “When people think about Bach or Mozart they tend to think of statues and wigs, looking very serious,” Gerhard explains. “By sharing these little glimpses into a moment of their lives, it brings them closer so children can see them as human beings.”
Told through the eyes and ears of a mouse named Minim, whose name was borrowed from a musical time figure that means “very small,” readers meet composers at different stages of their lives and careers. In addition to the hardcover book, children can engage through the audio story, narrated by acclaimed American-Canadian actor, Colm Feore. The CDs and digital albums also include original performances by I Musici de Montréal.
Teach Little Stories of Great Composers
With its combination of biography and captivating storytelling, the Little Stories of Great Composers series can be applied to several school subjects, such as English, music, social studies, drama, and history. Each story closes with A Few Morsels of History, which offers historical and biographical notes on the tale and composer.
These historical lessons are one of the reasons judges awarded That’s My Piano, Sir! with a National Parent Product Award. Homeschoolers such as Mary Prather, who runs SQUILT Music Appreciation and Homegrown Learners, have also sung the praises of the series. “Music and story are a powerful combination!” she says. “These composer biographies are the perfect way to cement the knowledge of musical greats in your children's minds.”
Free teaching guides are also available to help educators facilitate lessons and discussions of the book. Each guide includes prompts, questions, and answers for before, during, and after the reading. Download the guides for That’s My Piano, Sir!, A Delicious Taste of Mozzarella!, and Some Creatures Have All the Luck!.
Engage with Interviews and Videos
Go behind the scenes and see how each little story comes to life with author interviews and animated videos. These multimedia resources allow young readers to learn how stories come together, from artistic inspiration to creation.
Watch author Ana Gerhard discuss the series
Ana Gerhard shares her vision for the series. Watch to the end for behind-the-scenes footage of the I Musici de Montréal orchestra musicians during the recording process. Read more about Gerhard's inspiration here.
Learn about illustrator Marie Lafrance's art process
From sketch to finished product, see how award-winning illustrator Marie Lafrance added colour to the cast of historical characters. Read the full interview.
Read-along to That’s My Piano, Sir! with the animated video
Follow along with the book or simply watch the animated tale, narrated by Colm Feore. Alongside animations, sound effects and music performed by I Musici de Montréal orchestra bring That's My Piano, Sir! to life.
Discover the Collection
Travel with Minim to 18th-century Vienna, Austria, and meet a young Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart on his way to play a concert in the city.
Bookshop | Goodreads | Edelweiss | CataList | Les libraires | See more
Join Minim on a vacation adventure with Sasha and Bobik as they spend time with their favourite uncle, none other than Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky.
Bookshop | Les libraries | Goodreads | Edelweiss | CataList | See more
Minim braves a cold Venetian winter night to visit an orphanage where he crosses paths with Italian composer Antonio Vivaldi.
Bookshop | Les libraires | Goodreads | Edelweiss | CataList | See more
At an open-air café on a beautiful spring day, Minim is about to sink his teeth into a Gruyere-topped mouse trap when he is saved by none other than Franz Schubert.
Bookshop | Les libraires | Goodreads | Edelweiss | CataList | See more
As summer draws to a close, members of the prince’s orchestra long to return home to their families. Only a composer like Joseph Haydn can reason with the prince.
Bookshop | Les libraires | Goodreads | Edelweiss | CataList | See more
Niccolò Paganini’s most cherished violin is nearly destroyed when a little girl catches it in midair. Filled with gratitude, he performs a special piece just for her.
Bookshop | Les libraires | Goodreads | Edelweiss | CataList | See more
Subscribe to our monthly newsletter to stay informed about our new releases and events and for a chance to win our subscriber giveaway. To order books for your library or bookstore, please contact Hornblower Books/University of Toronto Press (Canada, United States) and MMS/BookSource (United Kingdom). For additional information, email info@thesecretmountain.com.