Based on a true story of what happened when a world class violinist performed and almost no one listened.

From picture books to non-fiction, young adult fiction and historical fiction, horror and biography to series books, stories in anthologies and magazines, writer Kathy Stinson has authored a wide variety of material for readers.

“What you read influences what you write. And so does the day to day life that you live.”

-Kathy Stinson

The Ontario, Canada-based mother of two, two stepdaughters and grandmother to five has been inspired by all of the children in her life to write her books … and this one is inspired by children and the fabulous Joshua Bell, telling a real-life tale.

 Man with the Violin. Seven years ago on a random January day, the real Joshua Bell takes  part in an experiment devised by The Washington Post, performing at L’Enfant Plaza Metro Station in Washington, D.C. More than 1,000 commuters pass his playing and only seven stop to listen for more than a minute. Just seven adults … yet the children are mesmerized, even as they are pulled away by adults on a more important mission –or so it seems. After 43 minutes of  exceptional performance, Joshua Bell’s violin case holds $32.17 … as the world continues to pass him by.

Written by Kathy Stinson, illustrated by Dušan Petričić, with a postscript by Joshua Bell, The Man with the Violin tells the story of Dylan, a little boy who notices everything, while his Mom speeds through life taking no notice at all. It is Dylan who realizes something extraordinary is happening that day in the subway station, yet he cannot convince his Mom to slow down and seize this incredible moment. Later that day, Dylan hears Joshua Bell playing on the radio and has the grace to point out to his Mom, “‘We should have stopped. We should have listened,'” to one of the finest musicians in the world, playing his magnificent Stradivarius in the middle of the day … just for them. A magical gift, unrecognizable to those who do not see. Hear Kathy and Dušan talk about their vision for The Man with the Violin, listen to the music played in the subway station that day …

To date, here’s a list of awards The Man with the Violin has garnered:

• Winner of Digital Book of the Year Award in the Ebook Fixed Format/Enhanced category
• Winner of the Eric Hoffer Award in the Children’s Book category
• Winner of the 2013 Gold Award in the Children’s Book category of NAPPA
• 2014 Storytelling World Award
• Independent Publishers Award (tied for Gold in the Children’s Picture Book category)
• Winner of Next Generation Indie Book Award in the Children’s Picture Book category (tied)
• Honourable Mention for the Elizabeth Mrazik-Cleaver Picture Book Award
• Honourable Mention for ForeWord Magazine’s IndieFab Award in the Children’s Book category
• Shortlisted for the 2014 Ruth and Sylvia Schwartz Children’s Book Award
• Nominated for the Frances Howard-Gibbon Award
• Nominated for a Shining Willow Award
• A ForeWord Reviews Book of the Year finalist
• An IRA Notable Book for a Global Society
• Heather’s Pick (Chapters/Indigo)
• A Kirkus Reviews Best Book of 2013
• Starred reviews in Kirkus and Quill & Quire
• A Canadian Children’s Book Centre “Best Books for Kids & Teens” Selection
• A “49th Shelf” Booksellers’ Pick for 2013
• A 2013 OLA Best Bet for Children
• A Toronto Public Library “First & Best 2013” title

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