A Treat for Young Musicians Everywhere

The Remarkable Farkle McBride is John Lithgow’s first book and first collaboration with C. F. Payne. Although I’d heard of it, I just read it for the first time yesterday. I enjoy Lithgow’s style very much, so I would like to read all of his books, but Farkle particularly intrigued me because Payne did the illustrations. Lithgow has written five books, but Payne has worked with him on only two. This story concerns a young boy named Farkle whose prodigious musical talents leave him unsatisfied with each of the instruments he masters.

The narrative style of Farkle is similar to that of Micawber, the first Lithgow book I read. Lithgow creates an aurally appealing story with a recurring pattern of rhyme. Most of the book features a 3-page cycle: Farkle picks up a new instrument (ABAB), Farkle plays the instrument (AAA (musical sounds) BAAAB), Farkle discards the instrument (ABAAAB). Although it includes a few upper-level words – prodigy, beseeching, rhapsodical, notwithstanding - for the most part the vocabulary is fairly simple. I would say that this easier, more predictable narration places this book toward the lower end of the picture book age range, while Micawber is geared toward the higher. Both books have a slightly PBS-ish quality about them, trying to get children interested in art and music. Another of his books involves the American Museum of Natural History, while the other two feature two unusual animals: a kangaroo and a manatee. Lithgow’s passion for entertaining seems to be coupled with a passion for education.

Payne’s illustrations are enjoyable and entertaining, though Farkle isn’t nearly as cute as Micawber. I suppose I’m prejudiced, though… He’s actually a rather odd-looking boy, who is somewhat reminiscent of Alfred P. Neuman, particularly in his cover appearance. His head often seems disproportionately large, but maybe that is supposed to be a visual nod to his genius. Up until the last few pages, each two-page spread contains a picture on one side and text, with a backdrop of musical notes, on the other. Payne captures Farkle’s endearing mix of dedication to his instrument and frustration with its insufficiency. His exasperated tantrums remind us that in spite of his talent, he’s still just a kid.

Instruments appear on each page, and when Farkle is playing, he seems to be in perfect concert with those around him. Not only do we see him playing with the orchestra, we see a bird sing along with his flute and a butterfly perch on his trombone. I love the perplexed expression on the family dog’s face as it inspects Farkle’s smashed violin and the sad open mouths of the fish that welcome Farkle’s flute to the bottom of the lake. The illustrations are rich and detailed, a perfect combination of astonishing realism and amusing caricature. Farkle in general seems to grow more cartoonish in his looks as the book progresses.

Although I did not enjoy it quite as much as Micawber, I nonetheless found Farkle to be a story of high quality and both educational and entertainment value. I hope these two collaborate again. I would recommend Farkle for younger children, particularly those interested in music. They may find inspiration in a reflection of themselves – let’s just hope it doesn’t inspire anyone to smash their violin!