The Song Spinner

Teya Rosenberg teaches children’s literature at the University of
Alberta.

In the Land of Pindrop, noise is forbidden. No one shouts, ceremonies
are whispered, and music has no place at all. Young Aurora, however,
hears music in her head, and on her birthday she hears and sees an old
woman singing in the garden. In three days, Aurora’s life changes as
she learns the history of her family and her country, and she helps the
old woman, Zantalalia, overcome the jealous selfishness of Pindrop’s
ruler, Frilo, and the tyranny of the Chief of Noise Police, Nizzle. As
the solstice occurs and the sun returns to chase winter away, so too the
darkness of oppression departs from Pindrop, aided by Aurora’s
determination to bring music to her people.

This well-written fable clearly presents the power of knowing the past.
Only when she begins to understand the history of her family, and of
Pindrop, does Aurora become free of the tyranny of the Noise Police and
begin to work for change. Aurora’s relationships with her parents and
her little brother, Tibo, are well drawn, as are the details of what
life in a place that values silence might be like. Padded dish pans and
window frames, well-oiled hinges, and a school that teaches pigs the
Silent Way are only a few of the details that contribute to the
depiction of Pindrop. Le Bel has constructed a convincing world and a
satisfying story. Highly recommended.