Simeon’s Gift. (Julie Andrews Collection). Julie Andrews Edwards and Emma Walton Hamilton. Illustrated by Gennady Spirin. New York, NY: HarperCollins (Distributed in Canada by HarperCollins Canada), 2003. 32 pp., cloth., $21.99. Includes CD of Simeon’s Gift read by Julie Andrews Edwards. ISBN 0-06-008914-8. Subject Headings: Musicians-Fiction. Self-realization-Fiction. Grades 3-5 / Ages 8-10. Review by Gail Hamilton. **** /4

excerpt:

With renewed urgency, he pushed away from the shore and trimmed the sail of his canoe. To his delight and amazement, the little fawn kept pace with him along the river path- the clip-clopping of her dainty hooves offering a rhythm to the new theme echoing in his head.

In the days of knights and castles, a poor minstrel named Simeon decides to travel the world in order to become inspired by new places and the rhythms and voices he hears there. If he is successful in his quest, he will be able to create songs of his own, thereby attaining financial security and the confidence to pursue the lovely Sorrel, a woman of noble birth. On his journey, Simeon is influenced by the drumbeats of soldiers, the harmonious chants of monks and the flowing language of a poet he meets. When he arrives in a large city, he is deluged by a cacophony of sounds - bells and instruments of all kinds - and becomes overwhelmed and confused. Disillusioned, he trades his lute for an old canoe and some food and heads for home. Along the way, he is befriended by a little bird, a fish and a fawn. Every evening, the harmonies of frogs, crickets and birds inspire him, and, when at last he returns to his village, the warm welcome he receives from Sorrel frees the music that has been pent up inside him for so long. Over the years, Simeon’s fame spreads throughout the land, but Simeon never forgets the lessons he has learned about the importance of beauty, nature and kindness.

     Both the text and the illustrations will transport readers back in time. Lavishly decorated borders, both intricate and whimsical, surround the lyrical text. Highly detailed illustrations are rendered in muted shades. Generous application of gold adds a beautiful luminous quality to the illustrations which suit the time period of the story and its theme perfectly. An audio CD, approximately 18 minutes long, is included at the back of the book. Julie Andrews reads the story, her lovely lilting voice capturing the story’s flavour. Appropriately selected background music also adds to the atmosphere.

     Beautiful in all aspects- words, illustrations and reading.

Highly Recommended.

Gail Hamilton is a teacher-librarian at Bird’s Hill School in East St. Paul, MB.

To comment on this title or this review, send mail to cm@umanitoba.ca.

Copyright © the Manitoba Library Association. Reproduction for personal use is permitted only if this copyright notice is maintained. Any other reproduction is prohibited without permission.

Published by The Manitoba Library Association ISSN 1201-9364

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