Bernie's Cousin Herbert always seems to get all the attention but that all changes when Bernie's Uncle Louie teaching Bernie about music. He shows him how to play the trumpet and before long Bernie has all the attention. Bernie's uncle teaches the audience about a love for music. ( )

This beautifully illustrated book by Mark Karlins tells the story of a young boy named Bernie. Bernie’s family was having a party that Bernie’s cousin Herbert was invited to. Bernie always felt inferior to “perfect” Herbert. At the party Bernie and his Uncle Louie sneak off to the roof where Uncle Louie begins to play the trumpet. Once Uncle Louie began to play he began floating. Bernie was intrigued so he played a few notes. Uncle Louie thought that Bernie was pretty good, so in the weeks following Bernie began to take trumpet lessons. Bernie got so good that Uncle Louie asked him to join his band to play at a wedding. Uncle Louie and Bernie were so good that they had everyone dancing all night long.

Bernie's family wanted him to be like Herbert because he was smart. Bernie's uncle Louie realized it was not that much fun being Herbert cousin. He taught him how to play the trumpet. They had some jealousy going on between them. At the end of the story they all came together and be a family. ( )