As a kid what have you ever dreamed of? Was it playing a sport, trying out for cheerleading, winning the spelling bee, or playing an instrument? Well, Florenda had always wanted to play an instrument. Growing up in Louisiana she was accustomed to the sounds of music. So, she was no stranger to hearing a good tune. Her instrument of choice had always been the clarinet. Now, her break was finally here. As of the new school year, the school would have a band class. New friends, a new teacher, and a new instrument all brought music to her ears and an amazing smile to her face. The only question is, would she be able to play the instrument she had long for?
"Designed using short chapters, frequent dialogue, and ample white space, this story flows quickly while giving readers a sense of accomplishment as each chapter ends. Florenda and her companions speak to one another in positive, supportive ways, and readers will appreciate the uplifting overall tone of the book. Grades 4-6" - Children's Literature
An Instrument for Florenda by Tomeko Brown and Christopher Smallwood is a delightful and inspirational book that teaches children about the beauty of dreams and how hard work and persistence pays off. Brown and Smallwood encourage youngsters never to give up because there is always a solution to every stumbling block and that when you put in the work, others will notice and help you on your journey. Another key message was that everyone is bad at something when they get started, but practice makes perfect, and to never give up on your dreams. Florenda’s determination is an inspiration to children and adults alike. I enjoyed reading this sweet, beautifully written, and heartwarming story about a little girl who chases her dreams and doesn’t let anything stand in her way.
An Instrument for Florenda is a recipient of the prestigious Mom’s Choice Award. The Mom’s Choice Awards® (MCA) evaluates products and services created for parents and educators and is globally recognized for establishing the benchmark of excellence in family-friendly media, products and services. Using a rigorous evaluation process, entries are scored on a number of elements including production quality, design, educational value, entertainment value, originality, appeal and cost. Around the world, parents, educators, retailers and members of the media trust the MCA Honoring Excellence seal when selecting quality products and services for families and children.
