A Fiddle for Angus

Sheila Martindale is poetry editor of Canadian Author and Bookman and
the author of No Greater Love.

The East Coast has a long-standing musical tradition with a Celtic
flavor, and this charming story is about a musical family in Nova
Scotia.

Angus, the youngest member of the family, envies the talent of his
parents and older siblings, who all play instruments while he merely
hums. Then the time comes for Angus to have his own instrument. He
listens to the sounds of the ocean, the wind, and the seagulls, but
after he goes to a ceilidh and hears a “fiddle,” he decides on a
violin. The instrument is hard to play and requires much patience to
master it. But Angus really wants to become part of his family’s
orchestra, so he works hard to “coax the music out” and before long
is good enough to join them.

Budge Wilson’s well-written text helps to teach children that
perseverance has its rewards as she shows how the young Angus
successfully achieves his goal. Susan Tooke’s richly colored
illustrations, with their expressive characterizations and attention to
detail, perfectly complement the story. A Fiddle for Angus is a truly
lovely publication that will inspire children of all ages, no matter
where they live. Highly recommended.