Teacher's Guide

Teaching Guide

Listen as You

Read Along ------->

- - >

- -> 

Play the inspiring Piano Theme Overture to The Mysterious Case of the Missing Leaves, by Author/Composer Bella Brhams. (Level 5-6)

Children's Author - Bella Brahms 

​

​

​​​

​Dear teachers -- parents, grandparents, aunties and uncles -- below is a helpful summary of Little Bear’s Musical Garden -- And the Mysterious Case of the Missing Leaves.  But first, please allow me to give clarity to this sparkling story by answering a few exacting questions.  

1. Who is Little Bear?  What sort of fellow is he?

  He’s a typical cub.  Intent on getting the job done!  In whatever efficient and clever way seems best and speediest!

2. Where does Little Bear's story take place?

   In the woodsy community of Musical Acres.  Where dreams do take flight, and Art, TOO, is remarkable education!  With the great potential to help students achieve unparalleled success!  

 3. Who helps Little Bear achieve his artistic dreams?

I can answer best by summarizing each of the characters and the story  But PLEASE — don’t tell!!   Or you'll give away the whole plot!​

In the family’s old Plymouth -- kaput, kaput -- the cub and unit manage to arrive at his grandparents’ -- on the mountain top!  While there, he makes a sure-minded decision, to pursue a thrilling new dream!  To play the piano just the way his whimsical, toe-tapping Grandma Melody  does!  His Grandfather  is a clockmaker, of the highest order of magnitude.  Who makes the most stunning clocks, with the finest engineering quality.  And shows the cub all about Time.  An important concept for the speedy cub.

At home, are Mrs. Treble Beary,  his piano teacher.  His schoolteacher, Mrs. Honey Bumble, and Mr, Green Bear, the master gardener next door.  Who on the advice of Mrs. Treble Beary, assists him in starting a beautiful Garden.  To be a tasteful symbol of his musical aspirations.  Which has the added benefit of teaching an important number of scientific concepts.

In their unique ways, each guides him on an educational journey of sublime significance -- spanning the eons!   And all is hopped along by a surprisingly creative sidekick.  A curious bunny, named Arty.  With a truly genius growth mindset.  Who knows what it is to be a full "bunny person” — and wants to be one too!  A perfect empathetic companion to B.K., the cub’s darling baby sister.  A present from Grandma Melody on her birthday, Arty also has a delightful gift for pulling musical games "right out of a hat!"  And thus, becomes a cherished friend to Little Bear as well.  Quietly helping him to learn a variety of important musical concepts, which help him achieve his piano dream.  BUT WAIT — hold on to your stetson!  Because that's not all!  

The cub’s ultimate guide to the sensory world of mystery solving logic is none other than Londonbeary's Greatest Detective, Sir Hedlock Holmes,  of 21-B Bakers Street fame.  Whose keen scientific methods help Little Bear find the answer to The Mysterious Case of the Missing Leaves.  And find the culprit lurking behind his garden’s demise.

Assisting and encouraging him further on his amazing journey of adventure and discovery are Little Bear's parents, of course.  And last, but not least, is Bella Brahms, herself.  Quietly, working behind the scenes.  Weaving her magic into this compelling story.  With literary enthusiasm!  To help kids expand their imaginations -- into the unknown.  To make sense of the concrete world around them -- with a world of ideas.  

As this story of intrigue unfolds, and Little Bear develops his talents, his beautiful Garden begins to flourish -- too.  When a mysterious turn of events, leaves it in shambles -- and the cub in distress!  (More than usual that is -- for the anxious bear, with a number of off-beat habits!)  When his beautiful garden begins to lose its flowers and leaves!  Naturally, like the observant detective he's now learning to be, he employs his knowledge of the scientific method -- taught in Mrs. Honey Bumble’s class at school -- to take on this personal mystery as his science project.  Which of course, must have a satisfactory conclusion -- before its due! 

Finally, the mystery begins to resolve, when Little Bear arrives at an existential moment -- and makes a new choice.  All through the story he’s been ignoring (essentially not believing the faint possibility) that his dear friend could be the culprit behind his garden’s demise.  A treasured symbol of his true musical potential.  I mean, “who" would even do such a thing!  (Which of course - “Shhhhhhhhhhhhh, don’t tell,” the reader already highly suspects!)

In conclusion, Little Bear discovers Arty's own "bearish" imperatives were simply being overlooked!  Consequently -- after an argument upon the discovery of the bunny's typewritten confession -- he begins to empathize with his dire situation.  He was not a “villain,” but simply too shy to ask for help!

To make amends, Little Bear tip-toes in, carefully -- taking refuge from the cub in B.K.’s room -- with a basket of yummy fruits and veggies.  But NOT before overhearing them.  Discovering Arty not only had cultivated opinions -- but his own authentic speaking voice!  And the many dialogues at B.K.’s teas -- they'd surely had -- to her family’s delight, must be why she’d finally begun to talk!

Soothed by his diplomatic tones, Arty peeks into the basket -- to check the berries -- to be sure they’re real.  And not a toy for B.K.'s creative play.  Sniffing and tapping them before testing a bite!  Determined now to correct his oversight, he plants a new garden -- just for him!  Resolving the mysterious case -- and their difficult conflict!  And quickly getting his school report to the paws of Mrs. Honey Bumble -- in the wink of time!

I hope you’ll enjoy sharing the intriguing concepts in this charming book with your students and children.  But you’d be mistaken in thinking you now have the whole story.  Because inside this thrilling book are lots more surprises -- just for you!  And not only for piano teachers, but teachers of Art, history, literature, and science.  All part of the larger picture of who we curious creatures are. 

To your most thrilling and brilliant success,

My best and warmest wishes,
Bella Brahms! 

​
                   

BTW, like Arty, a full "bunny person" means someone in touch with their creative abilities.  Expressing and nurturing their unique gifts.  Embracing their imagination, exploring their passions with intense curiosity, and using their creativity as a means of self-expression.  A full "bunny person" finds joy, fulfillment and a sense of daring purpose in the process of creating and sharing their artistic and innovative endeavors with the world.  

​​​

​​​Copyright 2022, Author Bella Brahms. All Rights Reserved.