Storytime Sunday

The Little Guitar

by Eric Manos

Illustrated by Eva Serencisova

  "The Little Guitar" is about a little guitar who is built with care by a loving craftsman.  He put a lot of effort into her and in return she played beautiful music.  She loved when people wanted to play her so she always helped them play their best, even playing beautiful notes when they didn't play it quite right. 

Everything was going great for the little guitar when she was purchased by a man to be given to his teenage son as a present.  He was wanting to learn how to play.  The little guitar was so hopeful but things didn't go so well and she ended up forgotten.  At first she was in the closet getting banged and bruised, then she ended up in the attic. 

  Things did get better in the end.  An older man, who used to be a woodworker who loved to play guitar, came to the yard sale that the people were having and got the little guitar for free because nobody wanted her.  The man took her home, fixed her up, and she was again able to play her beautiful music.

  I thought the book was very well written.  It was much better than I had originally expected.  I love when authors put personalities to inanimate objects so that children can relate to them.  I also love the lesson in this story.  No matter how banged up and bruised we get, if you find the right friend they can help put you back together. 

  I read this book to my 7 year old son and 14 year old daughter.  My daughter thought it was O.K. and my son said it was "Good, I guess". 

This would be a good book for kids of all ages (I'd say up to around 10 or so).  The story moves smoothly though I would really have liked to have seen a little more about when the guitar was happy in the beginning.  The pictures are cute and really go well with the story.  All in all, a good read.

"The Little Guitar" is published by Dorrance Publishing Co. Inc. and can be purchased by going here.

Disclaimer:  I received this book for free from Dorrance Publishing Co, Inc. in return for my review.  All opinions are my own.