Becca Reviews: The Piano at the Station by Helen Rutter and Elisa Paganelli

A classic trope and an unfortunately common story of a child struggling at school, butting heads with teachers and other students, through no lack of intellect or even desire to learn, just that the pieces aren't falling into place and the environment doesn't work for them.

So many people have the tale of that ONE teacher that saved them, showed them their favourite subject, chatted to them at lunch time, and had just enough faith in them when no one else did.

Lacey is an intelligent girl who doesn't quite click with the whole 'school thing'. Reading this book you may assume Lacey has ADD or something similar that affects her attention but all we need to know is that Lacey and school are two puzzle pieces that do not fit together. As an almost last resort, a teacher suggests Lacey tries music lessons at lunch time - more to keep her away from others than for the music itself! However, Lacey quickly falls in love with playing the piano and is VERY curious about Mr Day, her music teacher's, very strange and relaxed attitude.

This book wonderfully portrays the message that not everyone fits in the same box, not everyone learns the same way, at the same speed, and that's okay! Furthermore, it's okay to struggle or have a rough time and ask for help. There's something that will spark joy for everyone out there - whether music, baking, getting your hands in the soil, running - it's all a different form of meditation and mindfulness.

This story offers possibly my favourite sentiment from any children's literature I've read recently, 'I don't need to choose between who I want to be and who I am. I can be both. I can use all my notes'. This alongside the earlier sentiment of not just playing the black piano keys, that are easy to make sound nice together, (i.e. show part of yourself that you're happy to reveal) but to accept the challenge of adding more elements by playing the white notes too, (i.e. embrace all parts of yourself, light and dark, even if you don't like them all). Although this increases the risk of making a mistake or not being accepted, it also increases the chance of creating something beautiful and finding those who truly like YOU for all of you. chefs kiss... I know I'll be thinking about this one for a couple of weeks.

Read: 19/08/2024

Published: 06/07/2024

ISBN: 978-1800902183

Price: £7.99 (GBP)