The Green Piano
on Goodreads (402)
What’s inside...
The Green Piano is a memoir by Roberta Flack that recounts her life from her childhood in North Carolina to her rise to fame in the 1970s as a singer-songwriter. The memoir details her early years as a piano prodigy, her experience as a music teacher, and her successful transition to a recording artist with hits like 'Killing Me Softly' and 'The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face.' It also covers her collaborations with musicians like Donny Hathaway and Aretha Franklin, providing insights into the music industry of the time. Flack discusses her personal life, her struggles with racism and sexism, and her dedication to social justice through her music, creating an inspiring narrative of her life and career.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
4-8
Length
40 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
How did the green piano change the main character's life?
What emotions did you feel when the main character encountered challenges?
What would you do if you found a green piano?
How can music influence our feelings and decisions?
Why do you think the piano was green instead of another color?
Tip: Role play these questions
Utilize pauses after reading significant passages to ask your child how they might feel in similar situations.
Encourage your child to describe the characters and settings, enhancing their attention to detail and narrative comprehension.
Relate the story's themes to personal experiences or familiar situations to deepen your child’s connection with the book.
Discuss the importance of perseverance and creativity, highlighting how these qualities can be applied in your child's life.
Play some gentle piano music in the background as you discuss the book to set a thematic tone and stimulate auditory engagement.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Perseverance
Explanation: The story follows the main character as they overcome numerous challenges to learn how to play the piano beautifully.
Real-World Application: Children learn the importance of persistent effort towards achieving a goal, which can be applied in school tasks or learning new skills.
Example Lesson: Creativity
Explanation: Throughout the book, the protagonist uses imaginative solutions to fix an old piano.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to think creatively when faced with obstacles, promoting innovative thinking in projects or problem-solving.
Example Lesson: Appreciation of Art and Music
Explanation: The protagonist’s journey highlights the beauty and value of music, stirring interest and respect for the arts.
Real-World Application: Children may be inspired to explore their own artistic interests or appreciate diverse forms of artistic expression.
Example Lesson: Friendship and Collaboration
Explanation: The protagonist receives help from friends to repair and master the piano, underscoring the importance of teamwork.
Real-World Application: This can be mirrored in a child’s life through collaborating with peers on group projects or supporting friends in their endeavors.
Example Lesson: Resilience in the Face of Adversity
Explanation: The protagonist maintains a positive attitude despite setbacks.
Real-World Application: Teaches children the value of optimism and resilience which they can use to overcome personal challenges in their lives.