We are currently in the middle of a Beethoven unit in our homeschool. There are quite a few books that I found that have enhanced our studies. But one in particular was a flop. I don’t even have a picture.
The Value of Giving: The Story of Beethoven is just such a bizarre story I’m not sure where to begin. It’s from a series of “ValueTales” by Ann Donegan Johnson. The illustrations are on the creepy side, very comical faces, which can be fine, these just seem more like the Sunday Comics. The story is about Beethoven’s childhood and growing up with a drunk, sometimes abusive father. Ludwig makes up an imaginary cat as a friend and stumbles through life being teased by others and just trying to write the music he heard in his head.
It could be a decent story. But somehow he became the go-to person in history to teach kids about giving???? I’m at a loss.
Here’s the quote from the last page of the book:
“Of course not everyone can give the world great music, as Beethoven did. But sooner or later, everyone has the opportunity to give something to make someone else happier. Your gifts may be very simple, but if they make someone else happy, you will probably be happier too.”
Oh, I get it now.
Up next: books about Beethoven that are worth reading.