Erin Dealey

Today we chat with Sibert Honor author, Patricia Newman, in celebration of the Book Birthday of

Beatrice and the Nightingale,

illus. Isabelle Follath (Peachtree / Quinlan).

About the Book:

Newman’s lyrical prose is heavily studded with figurative language, engaging readers’ senses with descriptions of music. . . . Follath’s ink-and-watercolor illustrations provide perfect accompaniment for the dreamlike language. . . .

Share with budding environmentalists and all those readers with a keen interest in music.
—SLJ

With a nod to [Beatrice’s] Edwardian world, the precise yet charming ink and watercolor illustrations work seamlessly to extend the vibrant story and to set the scene for Beatrice’s lifelong interest in nature and music. A charming look into an unusual musical collaboration.
—Kirkus

Meet Patricia Newman:

Patricia Newman is the author of environmental nonfiction and pictures books. You may remember her previous Book Birthday celebration for Sharks Unhooked: The Adventures of Cristina Zenato, Underwater Ranger, Illus. Becca Hall (Millbrook) or our Book Birthday meetup last year for her book on manta rays.

Her award-winning titles empower kids and teens to act. Patricia wants us all to know that we are part of nature, and finds the most fascinating TRUE stories (like Beatrice) to share with the world. 

Full disclosure: We have been Critique Partners and friends forever and even Co-RAs for SCBWI North Central, so I may be a bit biased. : )

The combination of Patricia’s love of nature and her own efforts to play piano are the ideal backdrop for this story about the intersection of nature, music, and STEM subjects.

Let’s ask some questions!

Q. 1 Where and when did you first learn of the Lady of the Nightingales (aka musical prodigy Beatrice Harrison) and her story?

Patricia Newman: You never know where a book idea will come from. I first learned about Beatrice Harrison in a Netflix movie called The Dig about the excavation of an Anglo-Saxon burial mound. The movie starred Ralph Fiennes and Carey Mulligan, but Lily James played a small part as a young archaeologist, Peggy Piggott.

In one scene, Peggy speaks to an RAF pilot about nightingales. She says she’d “never heard a nightingale at all. Only over the wireless.” She goes on to tell him about Beatrice Harrison, a famous cellist who convinced the BBC in 1924 to broadcast a nightingale singing as she practiced cello in her garden.

The pilot had never heard of Beatrice and neither had I, but the story captivated me, so I conducted my own dig to learn more.

Digging in…

Q. 2 What was your research like for this project?

Patricia Newman: Initially, I searched ‘Beatrice Harrison’ online. To my surprise, several articles popped up, including those from the British Library, the BBC, and Science Museum Group Journal. These articles helped me place Beatrice in history and understand radio technology of the time.

Additionally, Beatrice’s diary, annotated by Patricia Cleveland-Peck, helped with myriad details, such as dates, pictures of Beatrice’s performances, family members, pets, flowers in the family garden, descriptions of the family home, and so much more.

When illustrator Isabelle Follath became involved, I helped research specific details, such as:

• Beatrice’s age throughout the story
• the size of the violin Beatrice’s one-year old sister played
• the large Cheval mirror Beatrice practiced in front of
• the name written on the door of the music shop Beatrice frequented
• and the joyous details of how the Russian audience removed the horses from Beatrice’s carriage and pulled her through the streets themselves.

Wow!

Q. 3 Did you play a musical instrument growing up? I know you take piano lessons now. Did your musical experiences influence the book in any way?

Patricia Newman: I played guitar for a short time as a kid, but I didn’t have Beatrice’s discipline! When I reached adulthood, I wanted to learn how to play piano, but I never had the time.

I ferried my children to music lessons and band concerts, and finally in 2018 I started piano lessons. I learned the same five-finger patterns, scales, and arpeggios Beatrice played. My teacher says I only have to practice on the days I eat!

Challenges

Q. 4 What was the biggest challenge you had in creating this book?

Patricia Newman: After I submitted the book to my editor, a bird expert came forward to say Beatrice’s duet had been staged with a professional bird mimic instead of a real nightingale. My heart sank.

After more than a few panicky moments, I did what nonfiction authors do best. I turned to research, including a podcast on which the bird expert explained his reasoning, and an article in which Beatrice’s younger sister Margaret, who was in the garden at the time of the broadcast, said she did not see a bird mimic. You’ll have to read the back matter to find out the whole story!

Illustration Surprises

Q. 5 What surprises did illustrator Isabelle Follath bring to the book?

Patricia Newman: Isabelle herself was a lovely surprise, so kind, generous, and dedicated to the accuracy of the story. She loves Beatrice’s story as I do.

Isabelle added the musical flourishes with the birds so readers can ‘see’ Beatrice’s music. She faithfully replicated the spirit of the décor of Beatrice’s home. And she captured the magic of music, nature, and technology working together.

I particularly love her midnight blue scenes, especially the one in the garden when Beatrice first hears the nightingale sing with the cello.

Q. 6 What do you hope readers will take away from reading this book?

Patricia Newman: Beatrice’s idea to broadcast a nightingale singing with her cello in 1924 broadened the experience of millions of people around the world. The broadcast was the first time listeners heard birdsong over the airwaves.

Beatrice received thousands of letters and continued the broadcasts for twelve years. I hope readers appreciate Beatrice’s dedication to her art and her passion for nature. One small action changed the lives of millions.

Many thanks to Patricia Newman for joining us today, and

Happiest of Book Birthdays to Beatrice and the Nightingale.

To learn about Patricia Newman’s books & presentations check out her website: patriciamnewman.com

and follow her on social media:

BlueSky, X, and YouTube: @patricianewman

Instagram and Facebook: @patricianewmanbooks

Pinterest: @newmanbooks

Next up:

We celebrate the Book Birthday of Promise Pets: The Adopt-A-Pup Plan by Stacia Deutsch

Illus. Heather Burns (Odd Dot)

Happy Reading!