The Musician (Lofty Mountains and Flowing Water) by Xuefeng Liu, Gunter Grossholz (Illustrator) and Yuxi Wan (Illustrator) had a so-so story to it. It was a nice journey and an interesting folktale, myth or legend (depending on how you define those genres, and how you look at the story itself). However, it was the illustrations that grabbed me. That makes this book really more of a 4 than 5 for me, but the potential for other people and the fact it is, while familiar, it is also unique, bumped it up. To tell the story will take away from your personal experience, but I will say it captured me and I was pleased I read it.
However, I will also say that this book is not just a folk tale, but a story of music, of nature and its inspirations, and most importantly, friendship. The extras allow for various layers to things, and makes it aimed for the older reader (around 6-7 who will sit and listen to a longer story, and 8 and up who can read solo). The only real issue I have is the fact the version I found is in a picture book format and that could deter a few of the 8 and uppers from reading. This is a perfect book for the classroom or for an adult who likes music, instruments, history, Chinese history or is interested in art.
The entire project is “lofty” and dreamlike. The traditional looking imagery and story is both a little weighty and light. I am assuming that the author and illustrators are trying to capture music and that can come across. I would like to reprint the book here, or at least use the image that are frame worthy.