Q&A with Susan L. Roth
Q: Why did you write this book?
A: When I found out about Guido d'Arezzo's contributions to our music legacy, I was amazed that I hadn't known about his work sooner. I then realized that relatively few people, even musically sophisticated people, have heard of him. It became my mission to share him with children and adults everywhere possible.
Q: How did you become interested in music? In writing? How did the two interests merge in the form of this book?
A: I have studied music and loved it all my life. I began piano lessons when I was six. I still love to play. Recently I acquired a harpsichord and I love playing it, too. Guido was so important to me when I found out about him that the first thought I had was to write about him. And I could see the musical graphics in my head as soon as I decided to write the book: I couldn't wait to start making my collages using that entire musical notation.
Q: What do you want young readers to learn from this book?
A: I hope that young people can realize how universal music is all of us. Everyone should appreciate how bereft we would all be of most music history, and music itself, too, were it not for Guido. He made it possible for music to live forever.
Q: What was the most surprising thing you learned while writing this book?
A: Most surprising was that one person alone, after extraordinary doggedness, was able to solve the problem of how to write music.
Provided by the Houghton Mifflin Company
For more information of this author, have a look at her page on the Children's Book Guild web-site.
Reviews
Do Re Mi: If You Can Read Music, Thank Guido d'Arezzo
Susan L. Roth
In Association with Angelo Mafucci
Although there has always been music, up to a thousand years ago there was no way to write it down for others to read. Memorizing was the only way to learn and pass along music. While he was still young in Tuscany, young Guido of Arezzo thought there ought to be a better way. Later, living with monks in Pamplona and encouraged by Brother Michael, Guido begins collecting letters, numbers, and symbols, trying to figure out a way. But the other monks there are not interested. When Guido returns to Arezzo. He tries to explain his system and asks for a chance to try it out. To the amazement of all the teachers, he teaches the children in the choir to read the music he writes down. The notation we use today is based on Guido's. Roth has uses all kinds of papers to visualize this simply told tale. She cuts and tears, then assembles the pieces, as much for their emotional impact as their factual information. Guido has an unruly head of reddish hair, which adds a light-hearted touch to his white monk's robe. Five lines of unevenly cut variegated papers run across the bottoms of the pages until they finally become the staff lines of a score. The carefully designed pages emphasize the powerful force of Guido's obsession along with the sprightly text. There is a wealth of additional information as well, including a glossary, a bibliography, and extensive notes. 2006, Houghton Mifflin Company, Ages 4 to 8, $17.00. Reviewer: Ken Marantz and Sylvia Marantz.
ISBN: 0-618-46572-3
ISBN: 978-0-618-46572-9
Added 1999
To stay up to date on new books by this author, consider subscribing to The Children's Literature Comprehensive Database. For your free trial, click here.
If you’re interested in reviewing children's and young adult books, then send a resume and writing sample to marilyn@childrenslit.com.