Summary:  In an attractive “picture book” format, author Pierre Babin tells the story of musician Claude Debussy.  Claude was born in 1862 near Paris.  His early life wasn’t easy.  His parents owned a shop, but were not very good at business and they moved a lot.  Then Claude’s father is sent to prison for taking part in the revolution.  His mother sends him to live with his Godmother in Cannes.   Claude sees the ocean for the first time and wants to become a sailor.   But something else also interests him at his Godmother’s house – a piano. Claude is captivated by sound.  His Godmother decides to give him piano lessons.  When Claude returns to Paris he continues lessons with Madame Maute, who learned from the great Chopin.   By age 10 he has won a place at the Paris Conservatoire.  As a piano student, Claude is rebellious and fights with his teachers.  In spite of this, he goes on to win prizes and to compose many great compositions, including the beautiful “Claire de Lune.”

What I like about it:  This is an excellent addition to the “First Discovery –Music series”, that includes biographies of Mozart, Chopin, Beethoven and others.  The information is beautifully presented interspersed with vintage photos and illustrations by Charlotte Voake (Ginger).  The volume includes a CD with examples of Debussy’s compositions interspersed with narration by Michael Cantwell.

Who I would recommend it to:  Music teachers, student musicians age seven and up.   Highly Recommended.