The cello of Mr. O

The Cello of Mr. O

Jane Cutler

©1999

32 Pages

Ages 4-8

Summary

I absolutely adored this book. In the past, I haven't really been too crazy about historical fiction books, but I highly recommend this book. This picture book follows the life of one young girl who is still getting used to the changes the war has brought to her. She lives in Germany during WWII and is still not quite comfortable with her new life. She tells of how the supply truck comes every wednesday to bring food to the people in the town. While all the neighbors wait outside in the cold, the girl introduces the readers to one old man in particular. She tells of how none of the children like Mr. O because he doesn't seem to like any one else. They pull pranks on him and do everything they can to upset his life. Nevertheless, Mr. O generally stays in his room and just plays his cello. One day, when the supply truck came, it was bombed. After that, the supply truck didn't come to their town. The next Wednesday, when everyone was reminded about how there would not be any more outside help, Mr. O carried a chair and his cello out side and sat in the middle of the square. There he played the cello and made everyone fell much better about their predicament. This was not allowed to last. Too soon, one day when Mr. O took his cello out in the middle of the square, someone blasted his cello into pieces. The girl realizes what this might mean to the accomplished musician and continues to draw him a picture and give him a harmonica so that he might continue to play his magnificent music.