A story about finding your own way to follow in your family’s footsteps, featuring 12 fabulous songs. Oh, that darn Frederic Pipin! He’ll do anything to get out of learning how to play an instrument, much to the chagrin of his loving parents, who named him after the great Chopin. Piano lessons with Mr. Stricter prove to be disastrous, so he has a go at the cello, the oboe, and the clarinet… but sadly, nothing fits. Until one glorious day, he attends his sister's recital and falls under the spell of an incredible conductor. To the amazement of the Pipkin family, what follows is the discovery of Frederic’s new gift and a fabulous new song. Includes a CD (and a unique digital download code) featuring a dozen pop-rock songs inspired by the story. WINNER OF THE PARENTS’ CHOICE RECOMMENDED AWARD PreSchool-Grade 2–This CD features 12 songs that support the story written by Don Gilmore and illustrated by Marie-Louise Gay (Kane/Miller Book Pubs., 1998). Sarah has had issues with her brother, Frederic, from the day he was born. His parents named him after the composer Chopin, and have high hopes for his musical future. They provide him with lessons on many different instruments including the piano, clarinet, and violin, but he seems to have no musical aptitude. When Frederic attends his sister's youth concert, he is mesmerized by the conductor. At his seventh birthday party, Frederic uses a wooden spoon to conduct wonderful music that he creates. The songs build on different aspects of the story. For example, Frederic leaves his clarinet on the city bus and his mother takes him to the bus lost and found. The song By Accident on the Bus builds on the story with the lyrics: I forgot it on the bus. Oh! What a shame, such a shame…I forgot it on the bus, but mother found it just the same. The songs all have a big-band sound and feature a variety of musical styles. The CD has printable files with illustrations, lyrics, and musical arrangements. The lyrics are also included in the book. A fun addition for school and public libraries.– Maren Ostergard, King County Library System, Issaquah, WA Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. "Bouncy and adventurous, beautiful and fun, both the tale and the music are treasures."―THE BLOOMSBURY REVIEW Don Gillmor is the author of a memoir, two novels, and nine popular award-winning children’s picture books, including the Governor General Award winner Yuck, a Love Story and the original version of The Fabulous Song, winner of the Mr. Christie’s Book Award. He has written for many magazines including Rolling Stone, GQ, and Premiere. His articles have earned him 11 National Magazine Awards. Marie-Louise Gay is an internationally acclaimed children’s book author and illustrator. Over her career, the two-time Governor General’s Literary Award winner has received the Ruth Schwartz Award, Mr. Christie Book Award, Elizabeth Mrazik-Cleaver Canadian Picture Book Award, Amelia Frances Howard-Gibbon Illustrator’s Award and the Marilyn Baillie Picture Book Award. She has also been nominated for the prestigious Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award and the Hans Christian Andersen Award. Her widely acclaimed Stella and Sam series has been translated into more than 15 languages. Used Book in Good Condition