Customer Reviews:
Showing reviews 1-5 of 11
 Superb illustrations; the story is touching and cute, but shallow May 28, 2009
Robert Schmidt (Honolulu, HI & Logan, UT USA)
Ben's loves jazz music. He loves the trumpet. He spends much of his free time listening to the band at the Zig Zag Jazz Club or playing himself.
The only problem is, he doesn't have a trumpet. He practices the brass equivalent of "air trumpet."
Some people ignore him, some praise him, and some just laugh. What will happen?
The story line in Ben's trumpet is not complicated. In fact, if you just read the story to someone, and prevent them from seeing the pictures, the story comes off as cute but shallow.
But the superb illustrations by Rachel Isadora make this a great children's book. Her pen and ink drawings of gritty neighborhoods, people with expressive faces, and "the world as seen by Ben," make this an effective story to read to children.
This is a review of the 1989 Scholastic edition. The story was copyrighted in 1979.
 One of the best EVER! February 17, 2009
Bethany L. Canfield (Corvallis, OR,USA.)
I decided to pick up some books at the library this month in honour of Black History Month. I have read some others, but I fell in love with this one, Ben's Trumpet. It is the story of a boy who dreams in music form, the pictures are stunning and all done in black and white. My two little guys (3 and 5 years old) were entranced by the details of the art and loved the story as well.
Ben visits the Zig Zag Jazz Club every day. He goes there to watch the musicians work their magic, as music streams effortlessly through their drums, trombones, and saxophones however the one he most admires is the trumpeter. He has his own trumpet that he plays from the fire escape of his house, he is made aware by some other kids that it is just imaginary, not real, pretend stuff.
This is a story of sticking with something, following your own beat and having musical heroes. It is a book where kids are kids, a classic with its thick paper and high quality take-your-time feel. What can I say, my boys and I- well, we loved everything about this Caldecott Honor Book. It has earned its keep as it has a library card holder and is all ragged and loved. It was around 30 years ago, before all the library books were scanned. It is perfect. I know that when we bring it back I'll be itching to head to Powell's and get our own.
ca-BAM! February 17, 2009
Bethany L. Canfield (Corvallis, OR,USA.)
I decided to pick up some books at the library this month in honour of Black History Month. I have read some others, but I fell in love with this one, Ben's Trumpet. It is the story of a boy who dreams in music form, the pictures are stunning and all done in black and white. My two little guys (3 and 5 years old) were entranced by the details of the art and loved the story as well.
Ben visits the Zig Zag Jazz Club every day. He goes there to watch the musicians work their magic, as music streams effortlessly through their drums, trombones, and saxophones however the one he most admires is the trumpeter. He has his own trumpet that he plays from the fire escape of his house, he is made aware by some other kids that it is just imaginary, not real, pretend stuff.
This is a story of sticking with something, following your own beat and having musical heroes. It is a book where kids are kids, a classic with its thick paper and high quality take-your-time feel. What can I say, my boys and I- well, we loved everything about this Caldecott Honor Book. It has earned its keep as it has a library card holder and is all ragged and loved. It was around 30 years ago, before all the library books were scanned. It is perfect. I know that when we bring it back I'll be itching to head to Powell's and get our own.
Great Artistry - Poignant Story October 19, 2005
Christie Woodring
I bought this book for the illustrations, but I found the story was just as beautiful. My grandson who has just started playing the trumpet loved it, too. In fact, he even made the effort to give me a call after he had read it to share his enthusiasm. I will definately purchase more of this remarkable woman's work,
Ben's Trumpet February 18, 2005
R, your friendly neighborhood reviewer
Ben's Trumpet (authored and illustrated by Rachel Isadora) was named a Caldecott Honor book for best illustrations in 1980. Honor! These black and white pics are striking! I'll have to read the book that actually won that year. I can't imagine anything better than "Ben". But that's beside the point.
Summary
Ben has an imaginary trumpet and frequents the outside of the Zig Zag Jazz Club. He plays his "trumpet" for his mother, father, grandmother, and baby sister. But when neighborhood children see him playing, they laugh and call him crazy. Ben decides to quit playing his imaginary trumpet, until he meets with the trumpeter from the club.
Ben's Trumpet is a masterful with a simple text and "art-deco" that is remeniscent of The Jazz Era. Isadora is successful in conveying a cool, jazzy feel. A must-read with a satisfying conclusion. Play on!
R
Showing reviews 1-5 of 11
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