Berlin resident, award-winning author, and teaching cellist Melissa Perley has a new children’s book to share with young audiences and she plans a musical book launch in Montpelier on Saturday, Oct. 4.
Perley’s latest picture-book title, “The Violin Family Plays New Music,” was released Sept. 9 by Rootstock Publishing. It’s Perley’s second picture book, with illustrations by freelance illustrator and western Massachusetts native Tim Knickerbocker, now residing in Tampa, Florida.
Perley is a professional performing and teaching cellist and a sheep farmer. She lives in Berlin with her luthier husband Paul. Her first picture book, “The Violin Family,” was published in 2019 and won the 2021 Indie Readers Discovery Award for children’s early to intermediate readers.
The latest story introduces a new instrument character to the Violin Family. On a snowy day, Celia Violoncello meets her neighbor, Clarence Clarinet, a woodwind who looks and sounds different from her string family. They spend time making music, but Celia’s family doesn’t approve of her new friend who looks nothing like a violin and doesn’t even have strings. But when the family hears Celia and Clarence play together and harmonize, they change their minds.
“Celia has the ability to recognize a friend, regardless of differences, and to persevere despite her family’s disapproval,” Perley said. “Music is the bridge. That’s the hope I have for my young readers, too.”
“The Violin Family Plays New Music” comes with sheet music for the cello and clarinet, and includes a glossary of musical terms. It’s available wherever books are sold or at rootstockpublishing.com.
On Saturday, Oct. 4, at 11 a.m., Perley will read from the book and play the cello, accompanied by Tom Frink of Brattleboro on the clarinet, at Bear Pond Books, 77 Main Street, Montpelier. The event is free with refreshments, and Perley can sign copies.