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Reviewed by Emily-Jane Hills Orford for Readers' Favorite
The Prince Who Was A Piccolo by Barbara Roman looks to define us in terms of musical instruments. What instrument are you? Have you ever thought about it? Every instrument has a tone and a timbre that expresses an emotion. For example, a flute is sensitive and whimsical, and a cello can be very melodramatic and somber. Perhaps you are a different instrument each day, depending on your mood. The King has told his son he must be the royal trumpet, but the Prince feels no connection with the royal trumpet and when he tries to play, it’s so bad, everyone plugs their ears. This makes the Prince very unhappy; try as he might to please his father, he just can’t define himself as a royal trumpet. But what instrument should he be? He tries various instruments, but each one fails miserably, and he falls further into despair. Even the kingdom is suffering from his moods, and then one day, a simple laugh and the encouragement of a group of playful children help the Prince define himself as his very own instrument of choice.
Barbara Roman’s The Prince Who Was A Piccolo is a clever story that teaches young readers about finding their own kind of music, for it’s through music that we can define ourselves and assert our independence. Music is a powerful tool when used wisely. By creating a main character that must metaphorically adopt a specific instrument, the author has distinctly made the profound connection between music, life, and self-identity. The story is told like a classic fairy tale, with colorful illustrations, and develops quickly as young readers are introduced to the various instruments the Prince attempts to make his own. This is a beautiful, kind, gentle story that will touch the hearts of all who read it.
