This morning I was so touched by this Children's Book called: Strange Mr. Satie. Tears came easily as I thought about my dear, sweet, friend Aaron Klomp. At the very beginning of the book there is a line that reads, "he was a child with an old man's smile". I didn't fully understand what that meant until I continued to read.
This is a review given by: Esme Raji Codell
I asked my husband, an artist, what he thought of this book, and he said, "If I had read this book as a kid, it would have changed the way I thought life could be." Composer Erik Satie did indeed put the en garde in the avante garde, hanging out with Picasso, tossing his girlfriend out of a window (luckily, she was a circus performer and landed safely), wearing seven identical grey velvet suits, playing jazz on typewriters, producing ballets that required live camels and cannons firing, and fathering the movement known as surrealism. This is a man who, instead of writing instructions in his music like fast, loud or slowly, gave directions like "from the end of the eyes" and "I want a hat of solid mahogany." I don't know if everyone would want Mr. Satie as a friend after reading this book, but he sure was a colorful character, and this comes through very clearly thanks to the affectionate and sympathetic treatment by both author and illustrator. This is a very accessible children's book about a complicated eccentric, in part because of the understated, imaginative artwork that arranges the chaos (look at the drawing of Satie's ideas playing out, quite literally, across stanzas of music) and gorgeous, succinct writing that reads like musical notes; the last page of this book may be the best I have ever read in children's biography. A book that deserves the rave reviews and acceptance that eluded Satie in his lifetime. (6 and up)
Eric reminded me of Aaron who has amazing gifts and talents. What a tender story to be shared. My kids were wondering what was wrong with me. I don't have an answer for that, I guess I just miss having the pleasure of sitting next to such a sweet spirit that oozes passion for the blessings that surround us. Paper, Markers, Tape, and an amazing mind.
I hope you will seek this book out. I loved it, I hope you do too!
At the bottom of our blog there is a song downloaded from u-tube composed by Satie (Gymnopedie No.1). Check it out.
