Ludwig Van Beethoven takes a break to revive his mood and recharge his muse. I've had this idea for a while to write and illustrate a picture book about Beethoven being inspired to write his Pastoral symphony. I come from a family of Beethoven fanatics, and my brother Mark and I would spend long hours playing a four-hand version of the Pastoral on our piano. There is a bit of a story to the symphony, starting with a beautiful sunrise, through a walk along a babbling brook, meeting a country oom-pah band, and finally a thunderstorm. In the end the sun shines through. Beethoven found nature invigorating, healing and inspiring and I liked the idea of trying to convey that in a story. I did this illustration, along with a book dummy, for a submission to the summer SCBWI conference, where they are going to consider a few book proposals for children's picture books. I'm finding it challenging to hone my idea, trying to make sure that the story is clear and entertaining and worth telling. Wish me luck!
