School Library Journal Starred Review

Gr 1-3--In Venice, the city of music, young Gabriella hears music in voices, water, boats, pigeons, the "slap-slap" of laundry drying, the "ting-aling-ling" of church bells, and her mother's voice. In Gabriella's heart, these sounds combine and become a song that she hums in the bakery. The baker hums it to a widow, who hums it to a gondolier, who plays it on his accordion. The music catches in the breeze, which spreads it all through the city--and into the room where the "brilliant composer Giuseppe Del Pietro" sits in museless frustration, unable to work on his newest symphony, scheduled for performance in a few weeks. Gabriella's tune, of course, becomes his inspiration, and he turns it into a magnificent symphony. Not only do the Venetians love the music, but they recognize it as Gabriella's song, and she, too, receives a standing ovation. Potter's flat ink, watercolor, and colored-pencil illustrations are somewhat reminiscent of Maira Kalman's work. A subdued palette transports readers to the streets of a city filled with old-world charm and perfectly complements the engaging text. Endpapers feature laundry and sheet music fluttering on clotheslines, and the back cover displays a map of Italy with Venice's location marked. A whimsical book for budding musicians, music teachers, or just about anyone looking for a good story.--Lisa Falk, Palos Verdes Library, CA

ALA Booklist (Mon Dec 01 00:00:00 CST 1997)

The sounds Gabriella hears as she walks home in Venice, Italy--the flap-flap of pigeon wings, the call of the street traders, the bump-de-bump of boats in the canals--all blend with the sound of her mother's voice calling her to form a song that Gabriella hums as she goes. Her tune catches on and spreads from person to person, making each person feel different as each associates the song with his or her own life. Eventually, the song becomes a symphony, and all of the people introduced in the book gather in the Piazza San Marco to hear it. The author conveys a love for music and for Venice, giving children an idea of where music begins and what it can mean to people. The illustrations, in rich terra-cotta and turquoise, are luscious, and their Modigliani-like figures create an art experience to match the musical one that the words evoke. (Reviewed December 1, 1997)

Horn Book

In the streets of Venice, 'the city of music,' the sounds of church bells, street traders, and pigeons blend into a sweet song for Gabriella. She hums the tune as she goes, spreading it throughout the city, until a composer hears her song and turns it into his greatest symphony. Softly shadowed illustrations in muted tones depict a warm, expressive people in an aptly romantic setting.

Kirkus Reviews

Fleming (Madame Lagrande and Her So High, To the Sky, Uproarious Pompadour, 1996) celebrates music and its power to touch our lives. The setting is Venice, dazzlingly captured by Potter, in a palette of fresh colors and full of droll characterizations. Gabriella is walking home from the marketplace, and fashions from the flap of drying laundry, the jingle of coins, the ringing of church bells, and other sounds a little tune, which she hums at the baker's while buying a cannoli. The tune makes the baker's heart light, and he hums it, too. The widow Santucci stops in, hears the tune and becomes sad; nevertheless, she hums it on the way home, and the gondolier, overhearing her, plays it on the accordion. Thus the tune is passed throughout the city, evoking a variety of responses. To composer Giuseppe Del Pietro, who is experiencing a block just as a new symphony is due, the tune is heaven-sent, sweet music that he shapes into a great work of art. A disarmingly simple tale, this is inspiring and transporting. (Picture book. 3-8)"

Publishers Weekly (Fri Oct 06 00:00:00 CDT 2023)

"Delicate renderings of Venetian life set the stage for this heartwarming tale of a girl with a song in her heart that kindles emotion and inspiration in everyone who hears it," said <EMPHASIS TYPE=""ITALIC"">PW in its Best Books citation. Ages 3-8. <EMPHASIS TYPE=""ITALIC"">(Apr.)