Tag Archives: historical picture book

the red piano, picture book

8768986The Red Piano by Andrê Leblanc and Barroux (2010).

There aren’t a ton of picture books about The Cultural Revolution in  China, but as China’s history fascinates me, I was very happy to find The Red Piano.

 

It’s an incredible book about a young girl, a re-education camp, and the piano that connects her to memories of her old life, to freedom.

 

 

the-red-piano(click image(s) to enlarge) 

 

“For several years now, pages from Bach’s The Well-Tempered Clavier have been passed round the camp, from hand to hand. The father of a friend sends parcels. Several sheets are hidden in each package. If there is an inspection, they are confiscated and she has to hope for another package.”

There is a piano, miraculously, hidden in the camp. Music is what helps the girl survive. Remember. Feel human, feel hope.

 

 

the-red-piano-illustration

One day, she’s discovered, and punished. “The music in her heart subsides.” Until, another day, it is all over.

red-piano-picture-book

The illustrations are bleakly beautiful. Stark. Cream paper, ink gray, bleeding bursts of red.

the red piano picture book

The story is inspired by concert pianist Zhu Xiao-Mei‘s true story.

 

You may also want to check out the middle grade memoir, Red Scarf Girl, which covers the same historical period.