Reviews (1)

Play magic fingers, play!
I have a horrible nasty habit that I've been fighting against for years and years. When I see that a book, whether for adult or child, has won an award of any sort, I immediately become the Queen of the Critique. Suddenly, no matter how wonderful or well written the book is, I'm continually underwhelmed. I read through the tale and think to myself, "Well, it was good. It just wasn't THAT good". Now that is my usual reaction. Thankfully, it is not my only reaction. And after reading "My Family Plays Music", I am proud to say that it wasn't my reaction in the least. My response to this fine creation was something far more along the lines of, "It WAS that good! Well, I'll be darned".

Following a spunky girl sporting cornrows and a purple bow smack dab in the middle of her head, we observe her pointed observations about each member of her family. The child of a uniquely musical fam, each person related to her excels in a different genre. Her mother plays in a country western band, as her father lends his talents to a string quartet. Some people in this family play rock and roll. Others pipe out cool jazz in clubs like "The Blue Note". There's swing music, and bongos in poetry cafes. The girl even has relatives involved in everything from church organs to (and my credulousness was stretched a bit on this one) polka bands. Mmm. Nonetheless, everyone has their part to play. As each person is described, the young girl plays some type of a percussion instrument to accompany them. I liked this fact, if only because it gives percussionists the respect they are due. This girl is every bit as much a musician as her family members, whether she's beating out a tune on a soup kettle, cowbell, and woodblock or shaking her tambourine and maracas. This swell story focuses on diversity without making its point and shaking it in your face.

A helpful glossary is included in the back of the book that explains each term that might be considered difficult for kids to understand. These are accompanied by small pictures that define the terms clearly and concisely. Anyone wishing to explain the difference between woodwind and brass instruments will be able to do so with this resource. In terms of the book's construction itself, Judy Cox has written a great story. Elbrite Brown's illustrations act as a perfect match, making it difficult to believe that this is the illustrator's first picture book. I've rarely seen cut paper pictures that get the small details down so well. Whether he's creating a tiny finger lifted from a fiddle or the delicate black lines that make up a man's goatee, Brown is adept at his work and we are the ones who benefit. All in all, a great book that is entirely deserving of the 2004 Coretta Scott King Award that it has received. ... Read more

Book Description

If not for a stint in reform school, young Louis Armstrong might never have become amusician. It was a teacher at the Colored Waifs’ Home who gave him a cornet, promotedhim to band leader, and saw talent in the tough kid from the even tougher New Orleansneighborhood called Storyville. But it was Louis Armstrong’s own passion and geniusthat pushed jazz into new and exciting realms with his amazing, improvisational trumpetplaying. His seventy-year life spanned a critical time in American music as well as blackhistory. ... Read more

Book Description

There¹s flipping and flopping, splishing and splashing, wiggling and waggling down by the cool of the pool. Frog, Duck, Horse, Pig, and the rest of the gang dance and sing their way through this wacky, watery, wonderful story told with catchy, rhyming text and bold, vibrant illustrations.The fun is positively infectious, and you may just find yourself dancing and singing along with Frog and his frolicking friends.Children will delight in this rollicking farmyard romp ­ an adventure in musical activity. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Love this book!
My 2-year-old daughter LOVES this book. I often find her in her room reading to herself, saying, "Frog goes, "Weee!" Duck goes, 'Flap!" Down by the cool of the pool!" She reads it 100 times a day, and makes me read it at least three times, too. I highly recommend it

Our favorite
My 2 year old daughter LOVES this book. She has almost memorized it word for word and has made up hand motions to go with it. It is a lively, adorable rhyme and the colorful illustrations are wonderful.

Confessional and Premature Love
This is the parent's favorite of children's book to date. Keep this in mind though, the kid-to-be has only 5 books currently in his nascent library and the big thumbs up comes from two overly enthusiastic and gate jumping before the gun expectant parents.

That's right; we have been reading this book to the belly for the last week and absolutely love it. I can't speak for the life growing within, but the book has rhythm, bright colors, goofy animals, a lively story, and enough little details to keep readers enrapt studying the words, hoping and anticipating what comes next. The illustrations are a work of art with beautiful rich color. Each page has an animal at the periphery that will show up featured en-scene on the next page.

If the life that shows up in 3 months time doesn't absolutely love it, Mom and Dad will sneak off to a closed room and read it in joy and glee. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Pop Princess, Rachel Cohn's third novel, will no doubt please some American Idol fans, but it is bound to leave fans of her cutting edge debut, Gingerbread, cold.

Wonder Blake is a fifteen year old frustrated chanteuse, stuck dreaming her pop star dreams in a small sleepy Cape Cod town while mopping the floor of the local Dairy Queen. Enter Gerald Tiggs, or "Tig", as he is known in the biz, the former manager of Wonder’s older sister Lucky, who died tragically in a car accident two years earlier. Tig overhears Wonder wailing away on her Walkman at the DQ, and offers her a record deal on the spot. And the rest, as they say, is pure pop fantasy. Wonder vaults to insta-fame on the strength of her single, the appropriately titled "Bubble Gum Pop." In typical Britney/Christina fashion, she is tempted by drugs and alcohol, dissed by a famous diva, and caught between the boy next door and a mysterious stranger she meets on tour. All the while, Wonder longs for a return to the quiet life she used to have and the wise counsel of her beloved deceased sister.

Sound familiar? It should: Wonder’s story could have been lifted wholesale from just about any episode of VH1’s Behind the Music. What happened to the sly, sarcastic, hipper-than-thou-voice Rachel Cohn penned in her breakout hit Gingerbread? With Pop Princess, Cohn is in danger of losing her individual voice as much as her bubblegum snapping protagonist. Rather than breathing new life into a tired genre, Cohn’s conventional, lighter-than-air read will surprise no teen, and provide about as much escapism as a night in front of the tube with Randy, Paula and Simon.--Jennifer Hubert ... Read more

Reviews (20)

WOW
Just when I think I've seen or heard the best of Christy Carlson Romano, something like this hits the market.

First of all, it's a great story, but hearing it read by the incredibly talented Miss Romano makes it that much better. She gives life to each character like I've never heard before. Going from the main character (who sounds a little like Kim Possible - which fits considering they are around the same age), to her friend's grandmother (who sounds like the woman that lives downstairs from me), to a Brazillian (?) homosexual (who's accent is veddy gud). All this and an incredible singing voice too. Christy brings this book to life. You laugh, cry, hold your breath, get pissed off... right along with Wonder Blake, because you can't help but fall into the rythm of the book with Christy to lead the way.
It's a great, great story for all kinds of people. Christy fans, pop music fans, and Rachel Cohn fans will love this presentation of the story.
I definitely recommend it if you fall in one of those categories - I definitely recommend it if you don't.
Get the AUDIO CD - it's worth it.

Excellent
If you have read Gingerbread, you probably already like Rachel Cohn. But this book in my opinion is better then Gingerbread. The main character is very different from Cyd but you will definately like this book about Wonder Blake. A normal girl working at the Dairy Queen until she has the chance to become the pop princess to follow her sister that passed away's footsteps. She begins to think if this life is so much better then the normal relaxing life she once had.

POP PRINCESS..(TRUTHFUL)
I bought the book about a month ago. It was really good and I still catch myself reading it over and over. I love how the story took a average girl named Wonder, unlike most stories that put in a girl who's been singing and set her life to be a star since she was in diapers. Wonder like most people, can't wait to get out of her small town. In the end she realizes some people aren't always as they seem and that as much as she misses her sister and loved her, Wonder realizes she's her own person and has to find out who she really is. With love and heartbreak it told a tale of what really goes on in the music industry. She discovers secrets about her sister and that she should follow her way to superstardom.

Great!
Pop Princess is a great book! It probably won't be your favorite book, it's not touching or memorable or anything... but it's very entertaining and the characters are awesome. I love the plot. This was probably a little better than Guitar Girl becuase it's not as trashy, it is more interesting, and it actually has a good ending. Read Pop Princess!

not the best, not the worst
This book was better than Guitar Girl because it had a semi-happy ending. I liked the "Shades of Blonde" that divided it into parts. However, this book is not as good as How my Private, Personal Journal Became a Bestseller because I couldn't relate to Wonder. I felt like I was hearing her story from someone else, and not from her as it's supposed to be because it's in 1st person. ... Read more

Book Description

Features 55 children's favorites: The Blue Tail Fly (Jimmy Crack Corn) * Camptown Races * (Oh, My Darling) Clementine * Do-Re-Mi * Eensy Weensy Spider * Hey Diddle Diddle * Hickory Dickory Dock * Humpty Dumpty * John Jacob Jingleheimer Schmidt * Lavender Blue (Dilly Dilly) * Mickey Mouse March * Pop Goes the Weasel * The Rainbow Connection * This Land Is Your Land * Yellow Submarine * more! ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Beware which version you buy
Be careful which version of this book you buy. There is an easy guitar version and a piano - vocal - guitar version and at least one other version. They are not all the same and have different ISBN's. Know what it is you really want.

The big, big book of children's songs
Strogly recommended for the beginning guitarist, elementary school teacher, camp counselor who want to include music in a group setting. For the aspiring guitarist, the text includes diagrams of the nine strum or pick patterns that can be used with the songs. Each title in the book has a suggested pick/strum pattern. Other easy guitar books sometimes include this feature. I found these patterns to be very helpful as a self-teching method. The songs are well known popular children's songs that are familiar to everyone and can be used in any recreational/ educational seting with children. I liked the book in so far as it helpled me practice guitar skills that I am acquiring (the chords are basic to easy guitar) and provided me material to use in my work setting. ... Read more

Book Description

Music is Pete's life. From playing in a jazz band to jamming at 2AM with his guitar-playing dad, Pete is almost never without his bass. He's surehis treasured Fender Precision bass, along with his vow never to be a sell-out,will lead him to a record deal one day.

Then he meets the Carlisle brothers. They can't sing and they can barely playtheir instruments, but somehow they have a following. And they desperately need a bass player. Pete can play circles around these amateurs, butthere's a raw power to their sound that's surprisingly appealing. He can'tresist, and he joins The Tiny Masters of Today. When the band gets a chance atreal superstardom, Pete wonders if he's ready for the big leagues. He knows thequality of the music should come first . . . but who knew selling out could beso much fun? Blake Nelson's riveting novel shows the realities of life in aband, and all the temptations that come with it. ... Read more

Book Description

From the oom pah pah of the brass section to the tickle and tease of the keyboard ivories, M is for Melody gives a music lesson in alphabet form.Instruments, composers, terms, and even musical styles are examined from A-Z in easy, read-aloud rhymes and expository, accompanied by colorful and engaging artwork.Based on MENC National Standards for Music Education, educators will find this a valuable addition to their classroom material. ... Read more

Book Description

Where do drums come from? From the god Ayan, the Yoruba tell us; from Skeleton Woman, the Inuit say; from the stolen voice of the nevilala bird, according to the slit drummers of Vanuatu. Recounting ten myths about drums and drummers from around the globe, storyteller and accomplished drummer Nina Jaffe shows readers both the universal power of drums and the richness of folk traditions. The author, playing with master drummers, provides the beat behind the story in a CD that comes with the book. Here's a collection one can read -- and listen to -- again and again. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Born black and poor into a small house crammed with 13 people, MahaliaJackson hardly seemed destined to "walk with kings and queens," as her belovedAunt Bell predicted. Yet, with deep faith in God and a voice that could turn asedate audience into a writhing, foot-stomping frenzy, Mahalia did indeed findspectacular and satisfying fame and glory. Credited as one of the voices thatintroduced gospel music to the world at large, Mahalia remained true to herfaith even as she climbed the road to superstardom. From down-home churches toCarnegie Hall, from the 1963 equal rights march on Washington to the funeral ofher good friend Reverend Martin Luther King Jr., Mahalia sang her heart out.

Roxane Orgill's handsome biography, with many black-and-white photos, followsthe remarkable career of this New Orleans washer-girl who became aninternationally acclaimed singer and supporter of the civil rights movement.Like the thousands of rapt audience members over her lifetime, readers will bemoved and inspired by this powerful woman and her unwavering convictions. (Ages10 and older) --Emilie Coulter ... Read more

Reviews (3)

A book for everyone
This is not the first book Ms. Orgill has written about musicians. In this, as in the others, her passion for, and knowlege about music shines through her words.
MAHALIA is not only a meticulously researched biography, but also an excellent portrayal of the times in which Mahalia lived. It is definately not just a book to be pulled out during Black History Month. It's a well told, important story for everyone, and should be in every library and school library in the country.

Gospel and Civil Rights bound together in a marvelous book
This is a wonderful look at the determination of the great gospel singer Mahalia Jackson. She not only brought Gospel singing to the world, she was a force in the civil rights movement as well. Ms. Orgill has written a compelling biography and writes in a style that practically "sings" like Mahalia herself. This beautifully written book with its wealth of photographs bring Mahalia and that time in history vividly back to life.

Mahalia
I couldn't wait for this book to hit the bookstores! It was refreshing to read a "new" book on this incredible woman. Mrs. Orgill included many photos to help the reader sense what the times were like for Mahalia during her growing up years right on through to the high point in her career. The book showed photos of the home Mahalia grew up in and also the first home she owned. Mahalia lived a very hard life but her faith in God saw her through. She devoted herself to a life in Gospel music and never let anything or anyone tempt her to change her mission in life. Mahalia was one of Gospel music's pioneers and no one since has been able to fill her shoes. This book was a job well done. Excellent reading... ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Great resource
Beautiful tape of music to introduce to your children. Some songs are instrumental. Includes songs such as "Miss Mary Mack," "Say It Loud, I'm Black and I'm Proud," "Lift Every Voice," "Kumbaya," etc. The book has the words with wonderful illustration of Black children. No sheet music, but a few arrangements are included. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

An entertaining juvenile biography of the great Ludwig Van
Mike Venezia's Getting to Know the World's Greatest Composers series tends to focus on biographies rather than music appreciation because unlike his companion series on the World's Greatest Artists you cannot include a sonata the way you can a reproduction of a painting. However, for Ludwig Van Beethoven the author/illustrator makes an exception. This volume begins with an appreciation for how Beethoven changed the sound of music (no more party music). Within that context Venezia provides the expected biography, complete with historic ethics and paintings as well as those funny cartoons; just think Beethoven as the Liberace (if you are over 50) or Elton John (if you are under 50) of his day. There is also a photograph of his eyeglasses and metal ear trumpets. However, Venezia only mentions a handful of specific works by Beethoven, touching on how the 3rd symphony represented Napoleon, the four-note theme of the 5th Symphony, and going into some depth on the 6th Pastoral Symphony (but no mention of the glorious 9th Symphony or his other masterworks). Still, I appreciate the attempt to get more into Beethoven's music than he has done in other volumes of this series, which covers not only the great classic composers like Handel and Mozart, but also contemporary composers from Aaron Copland and George Gerswhin to Duke Ellington and the Beatles. As always, the recommendation is for young readers to have listened to some of Beethoven's masterpieces before, during and after reading this engaging juvenile biography and mini-music appreciation lesson. ... Read more

Amazon.com

When Froggy hears about an upcoming marching band contest, he wastes notime in digging out his dad's old saxophone from the attic. Soon, along with hisrecorder-tooting, triangle-tinging, baton-flinging pals, Froggy has himself abona fide marching band. As long as they can remember the rules--"Don't lookleft. Don't look right. And DON'T STOP FOR ANYTHING!"--they might even win thebig prize. Of course, it's hard to take everything into account...Created by clever author-illustrator team Jonathan London and Frank Remkiewicz,Froggy has starred in many endearing picture books, including Froggy Eats Out, Froggy Gets Dressed, and Froggy Goes to School. With hisearnest expressions and high personal standards, this amiable amphibian playsthe perfect straight man to his own droll antics. Young readers will adorewatching Froggy get into--and out of--yet another pickle. Rock on, Froggy! (Ages3 to 6) --Emilie Coulter ... Read more

Reviews (4)

A Delightful And Refreshing Children's Book
Barbara S. Garriel has created an interesting shy fellow who has an almost never ending appetite for musical instruments. With the artistry of John O'Brien and the writing talents of Ms. Garriel, this shy fellow takes a whimsical journey that will have everyone smiling. This book is a "must have" !

A zany story of a shy wallflower
John O'Brien illustrates I Know A Shy Fellow Who Swallowed A Cello, a zany story of a shy wallflower who listens to a duet for cello and viola and who one day attracts attention by swallowing a cello. His appetite for music increases and suddenly he is absorbing numerous musical instruments in his diet in this wacky tale.

A Wonderful Book!
This book may become my all time favorite for modeling language and rhythm among all the many versions of There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly. But it is even more wonderful for children of all ages. Music majors will love it, and I plan to buy it for my son's orchestra teacher. The art of John O'Brien is so complementary of the words, they tell beyond the story line. The author and the artist have worked hard to show accuracies about musical instruments in relation to current as well as historical times. A classroom teacher using this book can easily expand discussions and help children relate text to world examples and model best practice for students. I teach pre-service teachers at the university level in Children's Literature and Garriel's book is a must for such courses. I can't rave enough!

COLORFUL WITH RHYMING TEXT
Just a glance at the title tells you this is going to be a fun book.....and it is. Colorful, outrageous illustrations by the imaginative John Gabriel joyfully partner with the rhyming text.

There is a fellow, a music lover who suffers from severe shyness. He has gone to hear a duet by a cello and a viola when suddenly he feels an irresistible urge to swallow the cello - and he does. Preposterous? Not in the mind of Barbara S. Garriel.

Think what swallowing a cello would do to a person's figure let alone his or her digestive tract. You'll have to see these wacky illustrations to get an idea. Now, as if swallowing a cello weren't enough this timid soul follows that feat by ingesting a harp, a sax, a fiddle, a cymbal, a kazoo, and a bell. The fellow has become a veritable one man band.

Obviously, no one can spend the rest of his life with these instruments inside. What's the solution?

The answer is a very funny surprise.

- Gail Cooke ... Read more

Book Description

Even as a kid, Alicia knew music was in her heart. Fortunately, she grew up in New York City, a place offering everything from free concerts in Central Park to the background music of street and subway performers. She had the chance to take advantage of the culture the city provided as well as its quality education. At 12 years old, she auditioned and was accepted to the Professional Performing Arts School. For Alicia, the school was an artistic playground. Soon, she was on her way to her first recording contract.

After disagreements with Columbia Records, Alicia was able to record her music, her own way, for Clive Davis and his newly formed J Records. Her debut album, Songs in A Minor, along with her hit single, Fallin’, have put Alicia in the winner’s circle with 5 Grammy Awards. Her second album, The Diary of Alicia Keys, became a triple platinum album. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Awsome Book
Alicia is truly an amazin artist and this book really lets you know eveything bout her! ... Read more

Book Description

Make bedtime stories even more special with this glow-in-the-dark Winnie the Pooh nightlight book. When a song button is pressed the star-shape nightlight turns on and music plays. The star glows in the dark long after the song ends. ... Read more