Mr. Mergler, Beethoven, and Me

This is a beautifully illustrated and gentle story for young readers. Each of the 32 pages are rendered in pen, ink and watercolor by illustrator Mathilde Cinq-Mars.
The text is written simply and eloquently by David Gutnik. The story follows a young Chinese girl who meets Mr. Mergler with her father in the park and becomes the latest of his many piano students.  It's a poignant story and I was surprised to learn that Mr. Mergler was real, and the basic elements of the story were true.  There's an afterword with a short biography of both Mr. Mergler and Beethoven.

I loved the art and the story was honestly written.  I have experienced the joy and enrichment which comes from music myself, and Mr. Mergler seems to have been a wonderful and generous man whose lifelong dedication to teaching and inspiring hundreds of students over his lifetime is a fitting tribute.

Four stars.  

Anticipated release date: 18th April 2018 from Second Story Press

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher.