Bang-Campbell - Little Rat Makes Music

Little Rat
Makes Music

MONIKA BANG-CAMPBELL
Illustrated by MOLLY BANG

HARCOURT, INC.
Orlando Austin New York San Diego Toronto London

Text copyright 2007 by Monika Bang-Campbell
Illustrations copyright 2007 by Molly Bang

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced
or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical,
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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Bang-Campbell, Monika.
Little Rat makes music/Monika Bang-Campbell; illustrated by Molly Bang,
p. cm.
Summary: Little Rat loves the violin but hates to practice, until her teacher
suggests she perform a duet with one of the advanced students at the holiday concert.
[1. ViolinFiction. 2. MusicFiction. 3. ConcertsFiction. 4. RatsFiction.]
I. Bang, Molly, ill. II. Title.
PZ7.B2218Lf 2007
[E]dc22 2005027536
ISBN 978-0-15-205305-5

H G F E D C

Printed in Singapore

The illustrations in this book were done in
pencil, gouache, and watercolor,
with some chalk dust, on illustration board.
The display type was set in Elroy.
The text type was set in Adobe Garamond.
Color separations by SC Graphic Singapore
Printed and bound by Tien Wah Press, Singapore
Production supervision by Christine Witnik
Designed by Brad Barrett

To Muffy
M.B.-C.
To Daddy Rat, the most
patient accompanist
in the world
M. B.

Chapter 1

Little Rat's family was very musical.
Daddy Rat could play the drums.
He could play the piano.
He could even play the xylophone
and the glockenspiel.
He had played them all in band
when he was young.
Mama Rat loved listening to music.
She loved to sing, too.
She frequently sang in the grocery
store. She ALWAYS
sang in the bathtub.

Little Rats parents took her to concerts.

Mama Rat took her to folk-music concerts
at the Community Hall.
Little Rat got to clap her hands and sing along.
Daddy Rat took her to fancy concerts in the city,
where they listened to huge orchestras.

Little Rat loved watching the violinists.
They played all sorts of notes.
They played deep singing notes
and fast plucking notes.
They played really high notes.
They played low, gentle notes like whispers.
The violins shimmered in the bright lights.
The seats in the auditorium were red velvet
and very soft.
Little Rat was enchanted.

Chapter 2

Every Friday after school,
Little Rat and her mama would take a walk
around the pond.
One afternoon, they heard beautiful music
coming from the Community Hall.
"Let's stop and listen," said Little Rat.
They climbed the stairs.
Mama Rat opened the door.
Little Rat's eyes grew wide.
The music was coming from youngsters
like Little Rat, all playing tiny violins.
Little Rat and her mama listened for a long time.
Mama Rat whispered,
"How would you like to make music like that?"
Little Rat said only one word:
"Awesome!"

Chapter 3

At her first violin lesson Little Rat was excited,
but nervous.
She had never even held a violin before.
Luckily, she was not alone.
She chatted with the other students
while they waited for the lesson to begin.
Suddenly, the teacher, Miss Wingbutton,
stomped into the room.
"SILENCE!" she shouted.
This surprised everyone.
They did not expect to be yelled at.
Miss Wingbutton was short,
just like her temper.
She had little tolerance for silliness.
"Good afternoon!" she said.
"Is everyone ready to learn the violin?"
"Yes," the students squeaked.
"Then let's get started."

Carefully, Miss Wingbutton took
her violin out of its case.
She asked everyone to copy what she did.
"When you are not playing,"
Miss Wingbutton said, "hang the bow on
your right index finger, like this."
The students copied her.
"When you are ready to play," she said,
"lift the violin up to your shoulder
and hold it under your chin."
Once more, the students copied her.

Little Rat was getting bored.
She wanted to play music
like she'd heard at the concerts.
How hard could it be?
She started sawing back and forth on the strings.
"Stop that!" Miss Wingbutton yelled.
Little Rat's heart jumped.
She lowered her bow.

On the way home, Mama Rat asked,