Our Little Mushroom: a Story of Franz Schubert and His Friends

June 1, 2022
A virtuoso gets his due. Franz Schubert, dubbed "Our Little Mushroom" by friends because he was small and rotund, adored music from childhood. Narrated by "we," in the voice of his (mostly) unnamed, devoted friends, this lighthearted, informative biography discusses the brief life and career of the quiet Viennese prodigy. His father discouraged his musical ambition, citing its risky financial future. However, friends encouraged Schubert to follow his passion, and, in early adulthood, he joined them in pursuing a life devoted to the arts. These allies promoted Schubert's vast accomplishments, enabling him to present impromptu concerts from which he earned a stellar reputation and ardent admirers, though no income; he gave only one paid public concert during his lifetime. By the time Schubert died at age 31 in 1828 (a year after the death of his idol, Ludwig van Beethoven, at whose funeral he'd been a torchbearer), he'd produced 1,000 musical works, including lieder--lyrical songs--some set to friends' poems. This well-written, inspirational book might interest adults more than children, but youngsters studying Schubert's piano pieces could also appreciate it; children would benefit from hearing the master's music after listening to or reading this title. The delicate watercolor and pen-and-ink illustrations are lively, admirably capturing Schubert's fervent spirit and historical details of time and place. (This book was reviewed digitally.) A brilliant composer's legacy perpetuated, happily for today's music lovers, by stalwart friendships. (author's note, bibliography) (Picture-book biography. 5-9)

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July 1, 2022
Grades 1-4 As an 11-year-old accepted as a student at the Austrian emperor's choir school, Franz Schubert met a group of boys who befriended the shy musical prodigy and called him "Our Little Mushroom." His family was poor, and his father opposed his son's dream of becoming a professional musician and composer, but his friends helped him pursue his chosen path by supplying him with paper for compositions and arranging for him to practice and write music in a piano warehouse. Even as adults, they continued to encourage him and promote his music. While he lived only 31 years, Schubert was a prolific composer. The appended author's note mentions that after his death, a few of his friends admitted that they had sometimes taken advantage of his talents. Still, they had also enabled him to devote his life to writing music, and they kept his memory alive. Narrated from the friends' viewpoint, this unusual story is smoothly written and engaging; McCully's lively pen-and-ink drawings with beautiful watercolor washes bring it to life. A handsome picture-book biography.

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October 3, 2022
A wealth of biographical detail positions McCully’s biography of Viennese Romantic composer Franz Schubert (1797–1828). Adopting the perspective of Schubert’s friends, to whom he dedicated his final compositions, information-rich prose tracks the “absent-minded” composer’s life from age 11 to his death at age 31, focusing on his career trajectory from starving artist to famous favorite. Kid-friendly biographical tidbits lighten the narrative, such as Schubert’s chaotic time as a first grade teacher or the difficulty of composing while 40 geese honked outside his window. Detailed pen and ink and watercolor illustrations emphasize human figures’ gestures and facial expressions alongside landscapes rendered in a pastoral watercolor style. By focusing on Schubert’s friendships, McCully conveys that even a shy “little mushroom” can flourish in a supportive community. An author’s note and bibliography conclude, including a link to listen to Schubert’s compositions. All characters read as white. Ages 4–8.