Miss Violet's Shining Day - Hardcover

Kindergarten-Grade 2?Miss Violet, a rabbit, works in a button factory by day; by night, she reads and dozes by her fire alone. One shining day, her life is transformed when she hears Sir Reginald Dewlap play the trombone: "There was a feeling that she needed music, like breathing air...." After many lessons, she is still too shy to audition for the Town Hall Concert. But then, on the night of the concert, she bursts in the door and plays her heart out to the sound of "thunderous 'bravos' and 'encores.'" The story ends with Miss Violet a successful musician (and with a hint of a future romance with Sir Reginald). Zalben's delicate watercolors are charming, with exquisite fine detail and a look of genuine sweetness. Her realistic animals look quite natural in their old-fashioned clothing. The story is well written, if a bit message-driven and lacking in dramatic tension. It is unlikely that preschoolers, who would enjoy the pictures, would get much out of it, as they don't need to be told to follow their hearts, to savor the joys of creative expression?only older, more self-conscious children (and adults, of course) need to hear this. A lovely, well-executed, well-intended book with a problematic target audience.?Lauralyn Persson, Wilmette Public Library, IL
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Shy Miss Violent leads an "ordinary" life: daily work at the button factory, weekend walks in the countryside, a nightly cup of hot tea. Until, that is, she discovers music. From that day forth the young rabbit realizes that she needs music "like breathing air." She practices the trombone whenever she can, sometimes all through the night, and the melodies playing in her head make her hum and smile at her neighbors. Overcoming her timidity, the naturally reticent rabbit heads off on tour with her band-Miss V and the Wild Alfalfas. Dainty watercolors capture Violet's transformation with pleasing understatement and charm. That Violet's goals are modest adds a solid layer of accessibility to the success story. An encouraging tale for Shy Vi's everywhere. Ages 3-6.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.