Book cover. 

This is my fourth book! It is a must have for any student of the Russian Language. It encourages friendship with people who are very different from one another. One on hand we have math, science and a fair haired boy who is a Russian Jew. One other hand we have art, music, literature and a dark skinned  boy who is a Christian American. They speak different languages but something about the images that must be seen through a telescope and something about the happy sounds produced by a banjo, gives each boy the urge to climb and fence and to learn more. I grew up fearing Russians who I was told might well bomb me in my sleep. I want to prevent children today of enduring such irrational fears. Language may be the answer to many problems, issues and difficulties my friends. 

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Key Benefits 

• Learning another language gives the learner the ability to step inside the mind and context of that other culture, to see the world with a second set of eyes.
• If businesses are to effectively compete in a global economy, they must learn to deal with other cultures on their own terms and in a language they can understand
• Research shows that knowledge of other languages boosts students' understanding of languages in general and enables students to use their native language more effectively.
• Parents most colleges and universities require a minimum of two years of high school foreign language instruction for admission. And once enrolled in an undergraduate program, students are likely to find that their college or university prescribes foreign language courses as requirement for the degree.
• It is possible to travel to foreign countries without speaking the native language, your experience will be largely shaped by your ability or inability to see beyond the surface of the culture.
• Knowing another language and culture affords you the unique opportunity of seeing yourself and your own culture from an outside perspective.
• Knowing other languages effectively increases the number of people on the globe with whom you can communicate, during difficult times this becomes a very big asset. 

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I got the idea that I wanted to write a series of books that promote the learning of a second language. In the Presidential Elections of 2008 I even sold the idea to both Democrat Candidates for President Hillary Clinton (now the Secretary of State) and Barack Obama, who currently serving as President of the United States of America. Clinton publicly announced her not knowing a second language as a short coming. Obama was in Texas seeking the Hispanic vote there and also admitted he never learned a second language and that he would endorse learning one, for the sake of funding, in the public schools in America. 

This book was born out of my own inability to really speak a second language. I was just a 4th grader when the fear of being bombed into oblivion by the former Soviet Union. When I was in first grade President Kennedy planted this fear into most Americans, when he had to deal with the Soviet Union's attempts to put rockets carrying warheads at a site in Cuba. Since then every President has in some way had to deal with our ever increasing nuclear arsenal. A nuclear war is a war that nobody can or will in. In every war men and women who speak the languages of our enemies become extremely valuable to us. Today in addition to wars we face any number of issues and problems with other nations of the world, and those who speak multi-languages are increasingly seen as more valued than the average person in terms of their ability to use language as a tool to help resolve these issues and problems. America's largest minority group speaks a language other than English. Their language, Spanish, is one which is needed and often request of those being sought out in the work place in America today. Bilingual employees are often paid extra for knowing this language. I do not see this demand lessening in the years ahead. So I am encouraging the learning of Spanish and other languages like Arabic and Chinese with this and the new books I am producing.

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Artwork by~ Dorothy M. Speiser 

I want to a little about Dorothy M. Speiser my good friend and illustrator in this book and the next two which I have written.  Dorothy M. Speiser  is a retired public school science teacher who found her ability to draw and paint a helpful tool as both a scientist and teacher. Upon her retirement from the public schools, she began to increase her production of artwork and market it through her own gallery in Estes Park Colorado the gateway into the Rocky Mountain National park. Her wildlife art was perfect for a book I was working on when we met and I suggested the idea to her. She sells her artwork and does art restorations to supplement her and her husband Bill's retirement funds. In this book she has indeed proven her ability as an illustrator.

Dorothy M. Speiser's Illustrations for THE BANJO & THE TELESCOPE

I suggested the basic story board for Dot to work from. She asked me many questions about my feelings about the characters of Rick and Yury, and I told her exactly what I thought. She created the characters and I felt like she could see inside my head. She IS a true illustrator in the finest since of the word.

Dorothy M. Speiser's Illustrations for THE BANJO & THE TELESCOPE

Rick and Yury both owned dogs, but their dogs were as "different" as they were. I have always felt rather strongly that boys should not have to grow up alone. That a dog teaches them so very much AND they could not ask for a more supportive or better companion.

Dorothy M. Speiser's Illustrations for THE BANJO & THE TELESCOPE

This is a book about climbing fences. I suppose climbing fences is a way of looking at "living life". Rick and Yury get to climb some fences and learn so very much in the process.

Dorothy M. Speiser's Illustrations for THE BANJO & THE TELESCOPE

This is a book  covers a long time frame, from when the boys are younger until they are in college...and Dot ages them very well. She also clearly understands the concept of illustration.

Dorothy M. Speiser's Illustrations for THE BANJO & THE TELESCOPE

This is a book  designed to encourage the reader to accept the challenge of learning the Russian language. When I wrote the book I had gotten into a fight with my dear friend Yury Oshmyansky, and I gave him the book, which he understood to be my feeble effort at an apology. He translated it into Russian, which was his way of accepting the apology. Elena Rabinovich, a Fulbright Language Teaching Assistant edited the Russian for me at the request of the Publisher. Dot designed a special page for each page of the Russian translation which closely follows the English just as I wrote it. 

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ENDORSEMENTS:

I am deeply honored to share with you the kind words of the people who have given THE BANJO & THE TELESCOPE some very nice endorsements. They make efforts like this a real joy. God Bless each of them.

"I am honored that you asked me to review this children's book. Although no book critic or expert on children's literature, I found your tale most enjoyable. More important, the moral of the story is an important one for all to learn, young & old." 

-Bob Dole, Former US Senator & Presidential Candidate

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"What a delightful story. Readers have a special treat in store being able to see the story communicated  in another language as they progress through this book. it is exciting to ponder what positive results will come from this experience." 

- Steve Symms, Former US Senator

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"Thank you for sending me a copy of  your children's book. I thought it was a nice story and holds a valuable lesson for children and adults as well. While different cultures may clash at times, it is also true that we must learn from our differences and grow in the process." 

-James A McClure, Former US Senator

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"The Banjo and the Telescope is a fine creative work, and I enjoyed reading it. Enclosed you will find a copy of a letter I have sent to  President Bush expressing this feeling."

 -Timothy E. Wirth, Former US Senator & President of the

United Nations Foundation

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" I heartily recommend this delightful story about friendship, which is not only written in a charming way, but at the same illustrates how two cultures can proceed side-by-side with different languages to the same universal morality. Frankly, I never knew I could read Russian until I picked up this book. This was far quicker than Berlitz ever dreamed was possible!"

Art Linkletter, Television Celebrity and host  of 

Art Linkletter's House Party, People are Funny & Kids Say The Darnest Things

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"Bob Dole has just recently sent me a very encouraging email and continues to support my efforts to encourage children to learn a second language. I went to High School in North Idaho and Senators McClure & Symms were "my" senators then and have supported me and my efforts, and I consider them as some of the best to have ever served the US Senate. Bob Dole is a very good and decent human being. Tim Wirth was my Senator here in Colorado when I wrote THE BANJO & THE TELESCOPE, and he is till a hero of mine. Art Linkletter and I last touched bases In Colorado Springs in the mid 1980's, at a Realtors Convention, and I found he to be a truly amazing gentleman. I had just finished the book and gave it to him and he was very helpful and kind. Thank you for your very kind and thoughtful words gentlemen."

Richard A. Payne

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“In this story both boys own a dog, but even their dogs are different, I got my first dog in 1954, and literally grew up with a dog or two, I have always owned a dog. I love Cocker Spaniels!  Today Miss Molly my elderly Dandi Dinmont Terrier is my best friend.”  

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Pricing

Prices vary according to where you buy this book. If you wish an autographed copy of it from me the price is $20 plus postage, shipping and handling depending on where is sent to.