Bach to the Rescue!!!

Bach to the Rescue!!!
Co-Authors / Illustrators
Genre(s)
Age Range
4+
Release Date
March 19, 2019
ISBN
978-1419731648
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Every famous piece of art has an origin story—even Bach’s Goldberg Variations! When the richest dude in town can’t sleep, he hires a much-less-rich dude named Johann Gottlieb Goldberg to play him lullabies on the harpsichord. Goldberg does an OK job, but as the Rich Dude hollers for Goldberg each night, he wakes up the whole town in the process. As the town gets sleepier and sleepier and grumpier and grumpier, Goldberg worries he may be out of a job soon. But then, the one and only Bach enters the scene with a series of lullabies composed specifically for the Rich Dude. And, thus, the Goldberg Variations are born! This zany, nontraditional nonfiction picture book comes from the inimitable Tom Angleberger, author of the bestselling Origami Yoda series.

Every famous piece of art has an origin story—even Bach’s Goldberg Variations! When the richest dude in town can’t sleep, he hires a much-less-rich dude named Johann Gottlieb Goldberg to play him lullabies on the harpsichord. Goldberg does an OK job, but as the Rich Dude hollers for Goldberg each night, he wakes up the whole town in the process. As the town gets sleepier and sleepier and grumpier and grumpier, Goldberg worries he may be out of a job soon. But then, the one and only Bach enters the scene with a series of lullabies composed specifically for the Rich Dude. And, thus, the Goldberg Variations are born! This zany, nontraditional nonfiction picture book comes from the inimitable Tom Angleberger, author of the bestselling Origami Yoda series.

Editor reviews

2 reviews
Music and Lullabies
(Updated: June 24, 2026)
Overall rating
 
4.0
Plot
 
4.0
Characters
 
N/A
Writing Style
 
N/A
Illustrations/Photos (if applicable)
 
4.0
'Bach to the Rescue!!!' by Tom Angleberger, illustrated by Elio, is a cute and comedic story about a rich dude who hires someone not-so-rich to play him lullabies. The person he hires is Johann Gottlieb Goldberg, and while he does a nice job, the rich guy is constantly waking up the whole town every time he screams to get Goldberg to come to play him to sleep. Eventually Bach comes along with a variety of lullabies that he writes specifically for the rich guy, and all's well that ends well.

The illustrations definitely help bring the book to life and enhance the excitement surrounding Bach's entrance on the scene. Whether or not this story is based in truth or not, the intent to bring a story about music to kids is well-conceived. It sheds light on how some methods of crafting writing can be quite non-traditional, yet can bring about something truly great.
Good Points
The illustrations definitely help bring the book to life and enhance the excitement surrounding Bach's entrance on the scene. It sheds light on how some methods of crafting writing can be quite non-traditional, yet can bring about something truly great.
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