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Library | Call Number | Status |
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Searching... McMinnville Public Library | Read-Along Burton | Searching... Unknown |
Searching... Silver Falls Library | JMB BURTON | Searching... Unknown |
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Summary
Summary
A modern classic that no child should miss. Since it was first published in 1939, Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel has delighted generations of children. Mike and his trusty steam shovel, Mary Anne, dig deep canals for boats to travel through, cut mountain passes for trains, and hollow out cellars for city skyscrapers -- the very symbol of industrial America. But with progress come new machines, and soon the inseparable duo are out of work. Mike believes that Mary Anne can dig as much ina day as one hundred men can dig in a week, and the two have one last chance to prove it and save Mary Anne from the scrap heap. What happens next in the small town of Popperville is a testament to their friendship, and to old-fashioned hard work and ingenuity.
Author Notes
Virginia Lee Burton was born August 30, 1909 in Massachusetts. She was an author and illusrator of children's books.
Her titles include Maybelle the Cable Car, Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel and Choo Choo: The Story of a Little Engine Who Ran Away. In 1942, she won the Caldecott Medal for her title, The Little House.
Burton died on October 15, 1968 in Massachusetts.
(Bowker Author Biography)
Reviews (2)
School Library Journal Review
K-Gr 3-Author/illustrator Virginia Lee Burton's classic tale comes to life in this jubilant orchestral rendition. Composer and conductor Stephen Simon makes use of strings, brass, winds, and percussion in the telling of the tale, but no other instrument is used as effectively as the Irish bagpipes that present Mike's theme. Narrated by Yadu, this production faithfully follows the story of Mike Mulligan and his steam shovel, Mary Ann, as they prove their worth in the face of new technology. The 18-minute story appears twice on the CD-at the beginning and then again following segments that provide background information on the story, the author, and the composer's various musical techniques. There's also a vocal performance by opera singer James Shaffran of Mike Mulligan's theme song, a jazzy, infectious tune that will have kids singing along. Burton's story still strikes a chord despite its 1939 copyright, and Simon's joyful orchestration is sure to win new fans.-Kathleen Kelly MacMillan, Maryland School for the Deaf, Columbia (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Publisher's Weekly Review
Burton's much-loved tale about Mike Mulligan and the hardworking steam shovel is recast as a symphony program for kids, with an original classical score. Simon conducts strings, woodwinds and percussion to emphasize key moments in the story and adds some unusual elements as well. Paul Brennan plays the Uilleann pipes (Irish bagpipes) for Mike Mulligan's theme. Paying homage to Prokofiev's Peter and the Wolf, a note in the CD booklet and narrated by Simon describes the other musical themes and various sound effects, such as the sound of the steam shovel (created by the release valve on a scuba tank). On a lively, informative second track, executive producer Bonnie Ward Simon tells listeners about Burton and her inspiration for the story. Yadu's forceful and melodic voice is a good match for the music, but his delivery is sometimes affected and flamboyant, a performance better suited for the stage than for audio. As a bonus, opera singer James Shaffran delivers a jaunty rendition of "Mike Mulligan Song." This diverting musical excursion will be welcomed in both classrooms and family libraries. Ages 5-up. (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved All rights reserved.