Mr. Krenko's Wednesday Visitor
- Kirsten Edwards
- 5 days ago
- 2 min read
Author: Tania Atkinson Illustration: Tessa Jordan
This is such a beautifully written little book. The words, like the music, sing along the page and make the story so enjoyable from beginning to end.
Tania Atkinson has a real gift for bringing music to life most playfully and magically. One of my favourite passages is this lovely description of a string quartet:
“One afternoon Mr Krenko gave her something different to play. It was a minuet from a string quartet called the ‘Organdy’. First they listened to a record of it… There was a second violin, a viola — the violin’s gentle elder sister — and a sweet mother ‘cello. Gabby’s violin had quite the most to say. She danced up and down among the others in the cheekiest sort of way and then she skipped off and they all ran after her and chased her about for ages but they couldn’t catch her because she was so quick and so light and so bouncy.” (pp38-39)
The instruments feel like real characters — it makes classical music feel warm, fun, and full of personality instead of intimidating.
What I really loved was Gabby’s journey. She begins as an awkward girl with low self-image, but through her genuine love of music and plenty of hard work, she grows into an accomplished violinist.
There is tension with authority figures — she even has to take her lessons in secret at first. It’s so satisfying when they eventually see her hard work and success and completely change their minds about her.
The book is illustrated with simple, charming black & white drawings that perfectly suit the gentle tone of the story.
Highly recommended for ages 8 and up. It’s short, sweet, inspiring, and just a delight to read. If you (or your kids) love stories about music, quiet determination, and personal growth, this one’s a real treat.
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