There once lived a humble musician named Simeon. Longing to be worthy of the beautiful Sorrel's love, he sets off on a quest for knowledge. His journey brings many discoveries, but the vast tapestry of sounds and ideas he encounters becomes overwhelming . . . and, dispirited, Simeon turns for home. Alone in the grace of nature, he experiences a series of wondrous events that lead him to the discovery of his true self and the glorious gift he has to offer.
Convinced that his "lowly status" and the "simplicity of his art" will never provide more than a "meager existence" for his beloved, minstrel Simeon sets out on a fairy tale-like quest to free the music "deep in his soul." He encounters a veritable symphony of new sounds on his pilgrimage--the insistent beat of soldiers' drums, the harmonic chanting of monks, the general cacophony of a big city--but sadly, this barrage of new sounds bewilders and overwhelms Simeon, who feels his own attempts at song suffer in comparison. Lonely and weary, he abandons his quest and trades his lute for a canoe to take him home. On the way, Simeon befriends a bright little bird, a beautiful fish, and lovely fawn who become his companions. Heartened by his new friends and overjoyed to see his beloved Sorrel, Simeon breaks into song and discovers the music of his soul.
Julie Andrews Edwards, author of The Last of the Really Great Whangdoodles and star of Mary Poppins and The Sound of Music, has teamed up again with her daughter, Emma Walton Hamilton (Dumpy the Dumptruck, etc.), for an original story with all the elements of traditional fairy tales. Award-winning illustrator Gennady Spirin creates magical pictures that hearken back to Renaissance era artists. Also includes a reading by the charming Julie Andrews Edwards. (Ages 5 to 8) --Emilie Coulter
Customer Reviews:
Avg. Customer Rating: 5.0 / 5.0
A Passionate Fable:
"Simeon's Gift," written by Julie Andrews and her daughter Emma Walton Hamilton is a beautifully written and illustrated children's book. It is a magical story of a young roving musician who leaves the woman he loves to prove his worthiness by experiencing the world beyond. He finds his music and self in nature and returns to his beloved Sorrel. This passionate fable blends both music and the arts, which are captured in Gennady Spirin's gorgeous illustrations. I highly recommend this book for children and... more info
Beautiful story, beautiful illustrations!:
Believe it or not, Dame Julie Andrews herself signed a copy of this book for me at Harrod's in London! This story has so much heart and the illustrations are simply gorgeous.
Wonderful book!:
A beautiful story, beautifully illustrated, and wonderfully told by Julie Andrews (on the CD that is included.)
I know my kids will enjoy it, and recommend it to anyone who loves a beautiful, well told, story!
Simeon's Gift is a book that delights in every way:
The imprint of the 'umbrella' under which this beautiful book was published, "Words, Wisdom and Wonder", fits it all the way. It is a beautiful story, wonderfully told and handsomely illustrated. I'll not retell it here. The editorials have already done that. I would say simply, that Simeon's story belongs in every household that has a child to be enwrapped by it and in any other household that appreciates good things. The book "Simeon's Gift" is definitely one of those 'good things'. I'm a grandmother,... more info
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