Overview

"... so Tamara sat again and stretched the accordion. The bellows unfolded, wheezing a great, windy breath before she pressed the buttons. But soon her fingers were racing after notes that tangled and scattered in all directions like frightened ducks. Her hands trembled, her fingers fluttered. Tamara is struggling to find the confidence to play her accordion in front of an audience. She learns the tunes well enough, and can play them when she's alone -- but as soon as she tries to perform for others, everything falls apart. One day her father encourages her to try playing for an elderly man in the seniors' home where her grandmother lives. His name is Art Stoyles, and he is a legendary accordion player in her hometown of St. John's. He is best known of a beautiful set of tunes called ""The Portuguese Waltzes."" Inspired by Stoyles, and by stories of his musical friendship with a Portuguese sea captain, Tamara gains the confidence she needs to perform. This charming middle reader celebrates the interconnections that music creates -- forging bonds between young and old, reaching across cultures and oceans. It grows out of author Richard Simas's fascination with ""The Portuguese Waltzes"" and features colourful artwork by St. John's-based musician and artist Caroline Clarke."

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9781927917251

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"Richard Simas is a free-lance writer with a background in literature, music, and the performing arts. His publications appear in contemporary art and literary reviews in Europe and in North America. His work includes essays about exploring Portuguese immigrant heritage and the notion of (re)learning Portuguese from a diaspora perspective. The Mystery of the Portuguese Waltzes grows out of his research into these beautiful traditional tunes. It is his first book for young readers. He lives in Montreal. ""Caroline Clarke is a St. Johns-based musician and graphic designer with a penchant for illustration and printmaking. Since 2004, when she began to make prints, she has had four shows at the Craft Council Gallery and has participated in many local craft and print fairs. One of her favourite commissions over the years has been to create artwork used for the Newfoundland and Labrador Folk Festival. Music and community are her favourite themes. The Mystery of the Portuguese Waltzes features her first illustrations for a children's book. She has also illustrated Home From Away, a collection of original tunes by musician Maria Cherwick."""

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