Bound To Stay Bound

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Booklist - 07/01/2015 *Starred Review* Composer Moshe Cotel lives in “a noisy building in the middle of a noisy street in the middle of a noisy city,” but everything is music to his ears. One day, he hears a new noise: a frightened kitten mewling. He names her Ketzel—Yiddish for cat—and takes her home, where she spends happy hours listening to Moshe playing piano. An announcement of the Paris New Music Review’s contest arrives in the mail, calling for compositions of 60 seconds or less. Moshe finds this impossible until Ketzel creeps across the piano keys and plays a lovely tune with “a clear beginning, middle, and end.” And it’s only 21 seconds long! “Piece for Piano: Four Paws,” by Ketzel Cotel, wins special mention in the contest. When Moshe and Ketzel appear for its debut, no one believes she wrote it, but “Four Paws” becomes famous, even earning her $19.72 in royalties. Based on a true incident, this delightfully told story is unlikely and adorable in equal parts. Bates’ watercolor, gouache, and pencil illustrations feature an unanthropomorphic kitty whose inquisitive and quizzical nature will be familiar to all cat owners. The author’s note offers all the answers readers will want. An absolute charmer! - Copyright 2015 Booklist.

School Library Journal - 08/01/2015 PreS-Gr 2—Musicians and cat lovers alike will enjoy this charming picture book based on a true story. Moshe Cotel, a young composer, lives alone in a busy, noisy city, but "Everything he heard was music to his ears." One day he discovers Ketzel, a tiny, black-and-white kitten, on the street. He holds her tenderly to his chest and declares, "I will take you home, and we will make beautiful music together," prophetic words, to say the least. When Moshe receives a letter from the Paris New Music Review about a contest to write a composition of 60 seconds or less, try as he might, he is at a loss. Then, Ketzel creeps across the keyboard, inadvertently accomplishing what the composer could not. "Moshe grabbed a pencil and jotted down exactly what he'd heard…. 'Your composition has a clear beginning, middle, and end, is full of heart, and takes exactly 21 seconds to play. Ketzel, you're a genius!'" The feline's "Piece for Piano: Four Paws" wins an honorable mention, and its furry composer actually attends a performance. The watercolor, gouache, and pencil illustrations depict a busy city, a sympathetic bearded musician, and a simply adorable protagonist. VERDICT A delightful read.—Barbara Auerbach, New York City Public Schools - Copyright 2015 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.

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