This book addresses the needs of a child who society would consider "special needs" and offers a solution. I loved that.

The Piano Pedal Problem by Andrew Bambridge, illustrated by Alejandra Barajas, could be an important book to add to a library or classroom collection. According to the publisher it is "One of the only series for early readers featuring a character with achondroplasia, the most common type of dwarfism." Bo does have a disability but that facet of his life is not overemphasized in the story. He is a boy who has a wish. He wants to play the piano like his older brother, but two things stand in his way: 1. His mother doesn't think he is old enough to take lessons, and 2. His feet cannot reach the piano pedals. Bo overcomes both obstacles by using problem-solving. Alejandra Barajas's appealing complement the text and will help to draw readers into the story.

Bo loves music and dreams of one day playing the piano like his brother. The only problem is that Bo has achondroplasia and can't reach the pedals. Will Bo ever be able to learn how to play the piano? Will the piano teacher and his mom ever let him play? A good book that introduces kids to achondroplasia, overcoming obstacles, and how we are often more alike than we are different.

I received an eARC of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.

This early reader chapter book tells the story of a boy with achondroplasia, a condition where his bones grow differently and his limbs are shorter than expected. He wants to play the piano like his older brother and press the pedals but it is very difficult for Bo to do because he must stand so that he can reach and gets tired quickly. One day his brother’s piano teacher brings an adaptive pedal that is higher up and easier for Bo to reach. This is a great reminder that all bodies are different and adaptations can be made so that things that don’t work for our bodies can be made so that all people can enjoy things. This book also introduces readers to a new physical condition and how to navigate books with longer words and glossaries, a skill that is needed as readers being to read to learn. I would recommend this book. I could definitely see myself reading this to my class, and this would make an excellent addition to my classroom library. Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for giving me the chance to read and review this beautiful book.

Have you ever wanted to learn to play an instrument? Have you ever had someone help you to make some kinds of changes in order to make something easier to do? Have you noticed that people come in different sizes? Lots to learn in this little book.
Book 1 of Bo Keeps the Beat
The illustrations by Alejandra Barajas are clear, fun, simple, and delightful.
Well suited for reading WITH someone of any age including ESL, and great for gifting to anyone aged 5 and up, but especially to a school, church library, or your local public library!
I requested and received a free temporary uncorrected e-book proof on Adobe Digital Editions from Capstone | Picture Window Books via NetGalley. Thank you!
#achondroplasia #Music #Accomodate

As someone who grew up loving the piano, I was so eager and excited to check out this children’s book. It’s not really the age range I typically read, but I felt like my nephew would’ve loved this book - and he did! I’ll need to get him a physical book because the illustrations and storytelling were incredible.

I loved how this story had an interesting take on your typical story. It follows Bo, a young boy who has achondroplasia (shorter bones than most people). He wants to take piano lessons, but he’s too short and can’t teach the pedals. However, there’s always a solution and Bo was able to play piano after all.

I absolutely loved how the story could teach young children about the importance of how everyone can do something if they set their mind to it, regardless of our differences. It had a meaningful lesson and I’m sure it’ll leave an impact. I can’t recommend this book enough for early readers!

🎹❓🎹❓🎹❓🎹❓🎹❓🎹❓🎹

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with access to read this book!

Loved this children's book! Bo is in 2nd grade, but due to achondroplasia (a condition that affects a person's growth) his feet can't reach the piano pedals. Bo is envious of his brother's piano lessons; thankfully mom selected the perfect piano teacher!

My young nephew is 5 and his sister is 3 years older. He would enjoy this book as he loves to play the piano already and his feet are nowhere near the pedals! I plan to purchase this book for him ... publication date is Aug 1, 2024. This is a beginning chapter book (3 chapters) and 32 pages, nicely illustrated by Alejandra Barajas.

This book is well written by author Andrew Bambridge.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Capstone Publishing for approving my request to read the advance read copy of Bo Keeps the Beat in exchange for an honest review.

This was a sweet and fun little read! I'm a piano teacher and used it in some of my lessons. All of the kiddos enjoyed learning about Bo and his love for the piano!

This was a super cute read! It shows even if you are a little different than other people you can still accomplish the same things.

#ThePianoPedalProblem #NetGalley
This was such a joyful story! I have honestly never read a book that raises awareness about medical conditions as effectively as this one. The author very accurately described achondroplasia which felt perfect for younger kids to understand. Similarly, I deeply appreciated the different relevant terms and definitions in the back of the book. There were also writing prompts and fun activities for the reader to try in the back of the book, which really helps the reader get more immersed into the book's topics in unique and exciting ways (ex. the music drawing game).
The accommodations that the piano teacher demonstrated in the third chapter were so perfect, and provides a cute resolution to Bo's problem, and I believe that it can also help teach young readers empathy, in conjunction with the other educational bits from the book.
Lastly, the art was nicely detailed and the coloring was perfect for this kind of book.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with this book for free in exchange for my review! All opinions are my own.

This book teaches childen important lessons - such as patience. I thought this book was very cute. I found it to be enjoyable and easy to follow. I recommend this book!


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This was a super cute read! I love the inclusivity of it. My son looks like the kid in this book and I thought that was really nice. It shows even if you are a little different than other people you can still accomplish the same things.

I have known the importance of music in our young lives ever since I was a very young child.
It is the dream of8 year old Bo to learn and to play the piano. Between the importance of music Bo is shown how to overcome a birth condition where his bones are short not allowing him to reach the pedals of the piano or his fingers to reach the keys. Bo is a little person and with his determination and the help of a wonderful teacher, he is allowed to realize his dream.
I loved this book so much. Thank you NETGalley for allowing me to read this book. I will be purchasing a copy for a little friend of mine who, like Bo, is facing some challenges.

The kid in this story is so cute. You find out that he can't achieve his dream -- playing piano -- because of a special condition. This is not a negative thing in the book, but rather just an obstacle to figure out and overcome. It was fun to cheer for this kid and celebrate his accomplishments. Thanks to NetGalley for letting me read this

The title of this book interested me! I am NOT a piano player (I wish I was) but I do know from my musical background that the piano pedals are important, so I wanted to know what kind of problem Bo had with the piano pedals. Then I read the description and read he had a condition called achondroplasia which would make it impossible for his feet to reach the pedals! I wanted to know how he would adapt to this situation. So I read the book and I LOVED it! Such a great introduction to the piano, accommodations/adaptations for the disabled as well as a of course disabilities, and the important message to never give up! I love the guides in the back that have more information, including definitions of key words from the book that may have been previously unfamiliar. I definitely want to read more of the series! I got an advanced readers copy but my review is unbiased!

"The Piano Pedal Problem" by Andrew Bambridge is Book 1 of Bo Keeps the Beat series. It is a short chapter book for early readers. The story is about Bo, a young boy who has achondroplasia, which means he has shorter bones than most people. He is a little person who is smart, creative, and loves music. He is envious of his brother, Jason's piano lessons. He wants to take piano lessons, too. He can't reach the pedals, though.

One day, the piano teacher arrives with a black box with three gold pedals. This is an accommodation for a short person to be able to use the piano pedals. He gets to take piano lessons, too!

The pictures by illustrator Alejandra Barajas are really well done.

At the end of the book is a glossary, info. about achondroplasia, questions to think about, an art/music activity, and the About the Author and Illustrator page. Andrew Bambridge is an award winning musician, actor, and educator who also has achondroplasia.

Thank you to Netgalley, Capstone, Picture Window Books, and the author Andrew Bambridge for providing this e-book ARC so that I could give you my honest review.

This had great illustrations and the story was really good too. And great rep for achondroplasia. Overall, very hopeful and inspiring.