Costanza's (Noodle Man
) fictional picture book stars Mozart as a young man struggling with composer's block. Despite several tactics (singing while standing on his head, throwing darts at sheet music) he is unable to write the concerto that is to be performed in five days' time. Then Wolfgang finds unexpected inspiration in the 17-note song of his pet starling, Miss Bimms. When he tries to thank the bird with a kiss, she flies out the window. Wolfgang searches the bustling streets of Vienna for her, to no avail. However, he suddenly realizes that all of Vienna can contribute to his song, from the rhythmic rotation of carriage wheels to the hearty laugh of a baker: "A little more vibrato, if you please, Herr Schafle." As Mozart conducts the completed concerto before a delighted Austrian audience, Miss Bimms, perched atop Saint Stephen's Cathedral, recognizes her melody and soars onstage for her debut. Costanza uses a mix of acrylics, gouache and colored pencils to create dreamlike illustrations that suggest the elusive imagination at work. His surreal blends of muted colors often incorporate a repeated element of scrolls and sheet music. One inspired spread shows the composer's hand-inking notes, while townspeople walk along the staff lines—a flower saleswoman morphs into a flute as she sings and a goose honks into a French horn. This clever and delightfully rendered homage proves the author to be a true aficionado. Ages 5-9. (Sept.)
