First of all, really cool endpapers. Second of all, very funny telling, but possibly confusing for young kids because there's fact mixed in with silliness and it's not entirely clear which is which sometimes. ( )

This book was different, but I loved how the writing was at different angles and not just straight across which gave some meaning to what was being explained in the book. This book was set in the different apartments that Beethoven lived in during his life and what different pieces he composed during that time. It brought it to life and you got to feel like you were in a part of his life as he moved all over the place. ( )

This humorous take on a biography about Beethoven fills the gaps that history left with ludicrous speculations about Beethoven's life in his many apartments. While much of this book is completely speculative, and some of it is obviously made up, young readers may still learn a few facts about this renowned 19th century composer. For whatever reason, I found some of the illustrations in this book to be reminiscent of those done by John Tenniel in "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland," and due to the absurdity of both stories, I think that this parallel is quite fitting. This is a fun story that young kids are certain to enjoy. ( )

I absolutely loved this book as a biography to read to young children. It was definitely not your normal biography but it made Beethoven even more interesting to me. It shows that he ended up going through 39 apartments in his lifetime. He forgot to pay rent, one smelled like cheese, or he was too loud for his neighbors so he was always moving. Nobody could ever figure out how he transported his five pianos to the new apartments. I guess that will always be the mystery of Beethoven. This book shows that he was real and he dealt with things too. it also showed what he wrote in each apartment which was interesting whether it's true or not. ( )

The 39 Apartments of Ludwig Van Beethoven asserts the fact that Beethoven had 39 or more apartments and during that time he owned 5 legless pianos. The question still stands on how Beethoven managed to move the pianos during his time and why he had to move so often. The book lists facts as well as tell the story of Beethoven's life. As Beethoven moves from apartment to apartment, his hearing becomes more and more distorted. His neighbors get frustrated because he bangs the piano loudly in order to hear it. He gets kicked out of some apartments because of this. Readers also learn that Beethoven poured water over his head while he composed. Comical watercolor illustrations show Beethoven's journey throughout his 39 apartments, and even at birth, he has a baby mustache and wild hair. The front and back cover of the book is actually a photograph of one of Beethoven's musical piece.A fun and interesting book to show the different methods people may have used to move their furniture, before there were U-Hauls and elevators. A nice book to read when wanting to know more about the many places that Beethoven lived, and thinking about just how quirky he was. ( )