The Piano Pedal Problem - (Bo Keeps the Beat) by Andrew Bambridge

About the Book

Bo wants to play the piano like his brother, but he has achondroplasia, and his feet can not reach the pedals--so the music teacher improvises a solution that will allow him to learn to play.

Book Synopsis

Bo really wants to take piano lessons like his older brother Jason. But there are two problems--his mom says he's not ready, and his feet can't reach the foot pedals because of his achondroplasia. But Bo knows that where there's a problem, there's a solution! With determination and the help of a kind teacher, Bo tackles the piano problem, and his feet and fingers finally feel the music! 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"