Star and the Maestro: How a Musical Bird Made Melodies with Mozart

Tackling music history via a bird’s-eye view, Hanson spotlights the pedigreed pet fad in the Vienna of Mozart (1756–1791). A common starling feels out of place in a shop that purveys “fine pets in all shapes,/ From peacocks to parrots,/ Flamingoes and ferrets,/ Aardvarks, iguanas, and apes.” But the bird’s skill at mimicry lands it a happy home—and a composition partner—when Mozart hears the starling repeat 17 notes from one of his own compositions. Inconsistent rhythm and forced rhyme at times undercut the playful text, which buoyantly conveys cursory historical detail. Accentuating contrast between light and shadow in digitally rendered artwork, Schu threads the black of the starling’s feathers and golden hue of its beak through each illustration, dramatically anchoring the palette. Human characters are depicted with varying skin tones. Back matter provides supporting detail. Ages 4–8. (Sept.)