The Instrument Surprise - (Bo Keeps the Beat) by Andrew Bambridge

About the Book

Bo wants to learn to play the clarinet but discovers his short arms, due to achondroplasia, would make it very difficult, so he finds an alternative solution to pursue his musical passion.

Book Synopsis

The first time Bo sees the shiny black clarinet, he knows that is the instrument for him! But when he gets a chance to try it out, he discovers that his short arms, due to his achondroplasia, don't reach all the keys properly. Bo is disappointed, until he remembers that every problem has a solution . . . which sometimes means a whole new plan! Musician, educator, and actor Andrew Bambridge (Pixels) offers a charming chapter book series about a boy named Bo who, like Andrew, has achondroplasia and has always loved music.

Review Quotes

In this new own-voices series, second grader Bo is passionate about making music and learning how to play instruments. Bo, like the author Bambridge, has achondroplasia, a condition that makes some of his bones shorter than those of other kids. While this sometimes presents challenges, like when his feet can't reach the piano pedals, or his arms aren't long enough to reach the length of a clarinet, Bo finds creative ways to adapt. This gentle, relatable series also explores common friendship and classroom situations that many kids will relate to. Full-color illustrations punctuate the three chapters of each book, and well-spaced and well-sized paragraphs make these stories accessible to newly independent readers. A glossary, discussion questions, further information about achondroplasia, and other topics, like musical ­instruments, are appended in each volume. VERDICT Recommended for purchase in all early chapter book collections, especially those in need of disability representation.-- "School Library Journal"