The Blue Piano and Other Stories.

The Blue Piano and Other Stories, by Carol Montparker. Amadeus Press, LLC (512 Newark Pompton Turnpike, Pompton Plains, NJ 07444), 2004. 253 pp., $24.95.

Carol Montparker has enriched the lives of music teachers for many years through her work as an editor and regular columnist for Clavier and her first two books, The Anatomy of a New York Debut Recital and A Pianist's Landscape. In addition to her work as a writer, she also is a pianist, piano teacher and watercolorist. In her latest book, The Blue Piano and Other Stories, she weaves together a collage of short vignettes concerning her multifaceted life.

This book's thirty-one short chapters gracefully narrate a wide array of subjects: from a moving account of a student growing from a "talented student to a young artist" to encounters with "PSOs (piano-shaped objects)." Included are reminisces of important teachers in Montparker's life, stories concerning her love of gardening and painting and reflections on the importance of friendship.

Montparker's ability to bring matters of the heart to the printed page is evident throughout The Blue Piano. As she tells the stories of her life, her craftsmanship as a wordsmith shines through. She willingly shares both the highs and lows of her life, provoking joy atone moment and serious contemplation the next. Through her skillful writing, she draws the reader into her world and graciously recounts significant moments and experiences.

A wonderful volume for vacation or leisure reading, this book is a perfect accompaniment to a day at the beach or an evening by the fireplace with a good cup of coffee. The stories will warm your heart and hopefully remind you of the profound joys of music making, music teaching and life.

Reviewed by

Steve Betts, NCTM,

Bethany, Oklahoma.