About BC Books Online
BC Books Online was created for anyone interested in BC-published books, and with librarians especially in mind. We'd like to make it easy for library staff to learn about books from BC publishers - both new releases and backlist titles - so you can inform your patrons and keep your collections up to date.
Our site features print books and ebooks - both new releases and backlist titles - all of which are available to order through regular trade channels. Browse our subject categories to find books of interest or create and export lists by category to cross-reference with your library's current collection.
A quick tip: When reviewing the "Browse by Category" listings, please note that these are based on standardized BISAC Subject Codes supplied by the books' publishers. You will find additional selections, grouped by theme or region, in our "BC Reading Lists."
Enlarge Cover
list price: $17.95
edition:Hardcover
category: Children's Fiction
published: Mar 2012
ISBN:9781896580579
publisher:
Tradewind Books
Description
In this beautiful picturebook written by Governor General's Award-winning author Rachna Gilmore and illustrated by India's most renowned illustrator, Pulak Biswas, a little girl nearly drowns when a swollen river overflows its banks. Tragically, her beloved mother and father are swept away in the flood. Raised by a cruel and uncaring aunt and uncle, the little girl finds solace in her mother's magic flute. The Flute is an enchanting tale of the power of hope and the resilience of the human spirit.
Recommended Age, Grade, and Reading Levels
- Age:
- 3 to 5
- Grade:
- p to k
- Reading age:
- 3 to 5
Awards
- Short-listed, CCBC Choices selection
- Short-listed, SYRCA Shining Willow nominee
- Commended, Resource Links "The Year's Best"
Editorial Reviews
"Chandra is a strong yet realistically vulnerable figure who withstands adversity without appearing too saintly, while the magic that saves her offers some compensation for the misfortune she has suffered."
— Publishers Weekly
"The story reads like a folktale, and the striking, somewhat stylized artwork fits that tone. Despite its magical elements, this is really a story of hope and resilience in the face of hardship and loss."
— School Library Journal
"Full of hope springing from adversity, this is a touching story elegantly told, whose mood is captured in beautifully evocative illustrations."
— www.lovereading4kids.co.uk
"Deftly executed…The lyrical text is imbued with energy by the sweeping illustrations, much as the river bestows magic upon the music of the flute."
— Uma Krishnaswami, award-winning author of <i>Book Uncle and Me</i>
"The dramatic illustrations create a strong, rural south Indian setting, with their quick black lines, almost-solid black bodies and bold use of red and blue, with just a hint of yellow for the moon."
— Kirkus Reviews
"This beautifully written and illustrated story is reminiscent of a folkloric tale, sweeping us away in the pains, struggles and the hopes of Chandra's young life in an exotic land. Each page we turn we want to learn more about her, to the point of wanting to pluck her out of the book to help her...Rachna Gilmore's enchanting story of hope and Pulak Biswas' simple east Asian rural scenes flow with depth and grace just was the waters of the river in its calm spring stream. The graceful language is complimented in charcoal and ink textured monochromatic illustrations with hints of primary hues...This inspiring book is sure to be a permanent fixture in any library and one to hand down from generation to generation."
— Resource Links
"Pulak Biswas, one of India's most distinguished illustrators, displays his gifts in the striking woodblock prints coloured in red, blue, black and the occasional burst of sunny yellow, that both complement and enhance Rachna Gilmore's beautifully cadenced prose...[An] emotionally powerful tale...delivering a satisfying and happy resolution."
— The Globe and Mail
"Ornamented and further interpreted with stunning black and white paintings with vivid splashes of red for Chandra's dress, blue for the river, and yellow for the overlooking moon. This author/illustrator team is first class and deserves further high awards for artistry, authenticity and design."
— Midwest Book Review
