Mondays with Mira: A Concert in the Sand by Tami Shem-Tov, Rachelle Sandbank, and Avi Ofer

2/12/2017

If you'd like to hear me sound even more Australian than usual because of a wicked cold, and learn about a wonderful picture book that you may not have heard about, do watch this short video. For writers, it shows one way of writing for children about an historical event that is both creative and soulful with dramatic pacing. The story is about intergenerational love, history and the founding of the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra all with a light and fun touch. Written by Tami Shem-Tov & Rachel Sandbank and illustrated by Avi Ofer, it's two thumbs up from me, Dr. Mira Reisberg!

12 Comments

Iris Biran link

2/14/2017 01:21:37 pm

Hi Mira,

Wonderful review!
Was it written originally in Hebrew?

Get well soon,
Iris

Mira

2/20/2017 01:20:25 pm

Thank you for commenting Iris and for your kind thoughts. Yes I believe it was originally published in Hebrew. I thought it was a wonderful book.

Deborah Weed link

2/24/2017 01:39:57 pm

Sweet story that is based on truth. It was interesting to discover that non-fiction PB books could be about an experience, as well as people in history. As always, thank you for giving us a concerto of possibilities to consider...

Kara McLeod link

2/24/2017 04:32:16 pm

Thank you Mira for a wonderful review of a terrific book.

Mondays with Mira are a staple in my house. Thank you for all your energy...

Christy Monson link

2/24/2017 06:35:24 pm

What a wonderful story. Mira, you seem to find books that will not only give pleasure to children, but also expand our thinking as writers. Thanks so much for all the Mondays with Mira. I do love each and every one of them.

Zoe Gaetjens

2/24/2017 07:21:01 pm

Thank you for sharing this beautiful book. I loved "suspended between heaven and earth", what a delightful image. A great example of how to create a hybrid text combining fiction with elements of non fiction.

Chani Becker

2/25/2017 06:32:27 am

Ahhhh, beautiful book... it's inspiring to see how historical fact can be blended with fiction in such a lovely way. Thank you for sharing this one, Mira.

Ce Maz

2/26/2017 03:30:26 pm

Mira, lovely story. I love the idea of fiction that deals with a historical event. In the discussion, though, I'd love to hear more about the non-fiction and the fiction. The setting is real, and the concert happened, but Uri and the grandma are the fictional constructs? In which year did the concert happen? Why choose to depict Uri and his grandma in this way? How does it help illuminate the factual part of the story? Of course, much of this could be figured out after reading the Afterword at the end, but it would be interesting to know as you read the story, so that we can see how the fact and fiction blending occurs. On a different note, Zin! Zin! a Violin had been a favorite in our house. Thanks for sharing, Mira!

Julie Hampton link

2/28/2017 09:35:35 am

Beautiful, touching book!

Orel Protopopescu link

2/28/2017 11:42:52 am

So delighted to discover a beautiful book I didn't know. You illuminate the ways its creators make a moment in Israeli history personal, child friendly, and dramatic. A great mini-tutorial on the art of non-fiction, for writers and illustrators. Thanks and I hope you feel better soon.

Liza Varvogli link

2/28/2017 03:57:54 pm

Mira, thanks for sharing this beautiful book with us! You always manage to surprise us with delightful books! What I loved about this particular book is the blending of historical facts with fiction. Truly inspiring!

Ivy Franaszek

3/7/2017 04:52:00 pm

Mira, thank you for sharing this beautiful story with us! I love that it is infused with nonfiction and fiction. Your review compelled me to read more about the Israel Philharmonic; and wow, it’s no wonder why Uri’s grandmother et al in the crowd await the orchestra’s (in history, the first-ever) performance!