Book Description

Ralph loves the tuba. Maureen fancies the flute. Betsy likes the glockenspiel, and for Calvin it's the drum. Belinda prefers the trombone, Harry craves a clarinet, and Sam longs for a saxophone. And then there's Mae McCall-a natural born leader with a baton.

What's a group like this to do? Form a marching band, of course. It's not all beautiful music at first-when the kids play, the grown-ups cringe and cover their ears. But these kids aren't giving up, and before long they have even the mayor convinced that practice does make perfect! ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Great musical learning book
Wonderful learning book that's FUN. Our 2 year old grandson has already learned the musical instruments in a marching band. The illustrations follow the band through the four seasons and the kids' final triumph of performing in the 4th of July parade.

Our Marching Band
March right out and get it! It's a delightful book. This is the second book by the author that my nieces and nephews have enjoyed. The book has made music come alive for them and given them an appreciation for the challenges and joys of making music. The text and illustrations work seamlessly! ... Read more

Book Description

This entertaining book/instrument pack features six hits from favorite Disney films. Includes "Reflection" from Mulan and: Beauty and the Beast ¥ Can You Feel the Love Tonight ¥ Under the Sea ¥ A Whole New World ¥ and YouÕve Got a Friend in Me. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Great fun!
This book is fun for all. The tunes are enjoyed by the whole family and kids love to practice with this book. It was a great purchase for me. ... Read more

Book Description

Book Description

This spellbinding collection of eight well-known stories was created and

designed especially for children. Acclaimed author Adèle Geras has

dramatically retold familiar operas such as The Magic Flute and

Aida, giving us timeless tales filled with magic, love, war, friendship,

and a host of larger-than-life characters. Eight popular illustrators have

brought these splendid stories to life in a colorful array of styles.

Additionally, each opera is accompanied by spectacular costume sketches and a

brief biography of the composer. The end result is a truly beautiful, fresh,

entertaining, and child-friendly collection for the whole family.




... Read more

Reviews (1)

Opera Stories For Children
This book retells eight well-known opera stories. Most are of the fairy tale variety, while a couple, (Carmen, Aida) are more mature in nature. Generally, the stories are told well, in a way that would be understandable to children. Some of the more complicated stories are told in the first-person and I think these are the best stories in the book. I wasn't completely thrilled with the illustrations but I did like very much the small picutres that showed and described characters' costumes. This added an interesting touch to the book. ... Read more

Book Description

This unique book/ audio package lets children sing and play songs from around the world by making their own musical instruments. The book includes easy-to-follow instructions for making and playing 10 percussion instruments from around the world by using recycled, everyday items. Each instrument project includes background information on its culture of origin, activities and games involving the instrument, a suggested reading list for more information on the culture, and a song to play with the instrument. The delightful accompanying recording features traditional songs so kids can play and sing along. The book is full of close-up photos to help in making and playing the instruments. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

songs and activities
This book is very useful for teaching multicultural songs, especially if you lack knwoledge in that area. The book has
activities for each song as well as five book recomendations for each country. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

well paired book and cd set
the beautiful patchwork illustrations of this book are very well matched by the folk style of the songs. though all of these songs are classics, Dana Kletter's original arrangement of them is refreshing in its sound, making them seem entirely new. the gentle tones of the voices and traditional instruments really give a cozy warmth to the lullabies, and really do pair well with the sweet homemade quality of the pictures they accompany. ... Read more

Book Description

Based on recent brain research on how we learn, Sara Jordan has produced "Lullabies Around the World" to boost linguistic intelligence in young children.

Each of the lullabies is sung in its original language followed by translated verses in English. The vocal performances are by professional singers, each singing in his or her own native tongue. Languages included are: Russian, Spanish, Italian, Manderin, Polish, German,(Lingala, spoken in Congo), Japanese, French and English.

This award winning recording (Parent's Choice Silver Award and Director's Choice Award) will be enjoyed both by the young and the young at heart. A complete set of lyrics and multicultural activities is included. A complement of instrumental music tracks allows for singing along and performances. Enjoy! ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Absolutely Beautiful!
I was first intrigued by this cassette kit when I read that itwas created to boost babies' linguistic intelligence. I knew thatthere were over 10 different lullabies on that cassette but I never imagined how beautifully they were recorded. Apparently, a dozen professional vocalists were used to record each lullaby in his/her native tongue.

Recently, friends of mine adopted a little Russian baby and I gave them one of these cassettes as a present. (There is a Russian lullaby on the recording). They were overwhelmed and purchased another one as a gift for another family who were also adopting.

My one year old loves this cassette and drops off to sleep as soon as it starts to play. My four year old enjoys the multicultural activities in the lyrics/activity book. So far she has tried to make the Italian tiramisu cake and the Japanese origami project. Today we plan to try making Kasperle, the famous German puppet. This is a great resource! You'll love it! ... Read more

Book Description

Entertaining songs in Spanish teach conjugations of high frequency verbs in the present, preterit, and future tenses, including irregular verbs. The accompanying lyrics/activity book includes interesting exercises. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Wonderful Book
Venezia's love and respect for music shine through in another of the books in his World's Greatest Composers series. The story of Aaron Copland's life is told in an interesting and amusing fashion and shows children how Copland discovered his own style through his experiences over the years. While Venezia's artwork is comical as ever, the choice of artwork is also wonderful, showing how music as well as art changed as the times were changing. Children will appreciate how Copland looked to change his musical style when he realized that many people weren't understanding it. Venezia really brings Aaron Copland to life in this wonderful little book. ... Read more

Book Description

A creative new approach for children (ages 7–12) featuring over 50 songs to play. Includes instruction on the different automatic features common to all keyboards: single and fingered chords, automatic rhythm, synchro start, fill-in, etc. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

excellent beginnger book
It is a good book for beginnger. It teaches music reading, basic music skill on electronic keyboard. It has lots of simple exercies and familar children's songs. Highly recommended for everyone who likes to start music learning. ... Read more

Book Description

From those ever-turning wheels on the bus to the little teapot, short and stout, and even those naughty little monkeys still jumping on the bed, these action songs will engage children's attention and imagination. In this collection, movement and music are combined in some of the best-loved songs of childhood. The classic songs and rhymes provide a basis for understanding the musical concepts of form and expression. Kids will have fun singing the music and acting out the accompanying motions. ... Read more

Book Description

This action-packed compendium offers parents, teachers, and anyone else who works with kids a wide array of ingenious sound and dance activities from a variety of cultures to get kids singing, dancing, listening, interacting, and involved. 101 More Music Games for Children includes games that facilitate musical development, such as sound games, rhythm games, game projects, and card and board games. All of them have simple, clear rules, and they stress excitement, humor, challenge, surprise, and cooperation rather than competition. Whether or not kids are "musical" or play an instrument, these activities can help them: develop musical skills such as spontaneous singing; create, play, and recognize various rhythms; appreciate the structure of sounds; and learn how to play with all kinds of instruments. Like its best-selling predecessor, this book encourages and enhances creative expression, social interaction, family relationships, and kids' budding powers of listening, concentration, and discrimination. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Mostly American songs, with a lot of English, not Russian
My husband, who is Russian, reports that the songs on this are not traditional Russian, to his knowledge, and don't even sound like they might be Russian songs. Many of them are obviously American -- "America the Beautiful" -- and there is a lot of English singing taking up the tape, rather then repeating the Russian verse two or three more times. The Russian itself is well spoken, but for learning traditional Russian children's songs, this is not a good tape.

A must for adopted children
As an adoptive parent and the founder of Building Blocks Adoption Service, Inc. I highly recommend this tape for your adopted child. We adopted our daughter from Russia and she is so into learning her culture and very proud to be able to sing Russian songs. I highly recommend enhancing your child's culture by buying this tape.

Fun Russian Songs
This book & tape uses traditional Russian songs, in addition to songs my daughter all ready knew in English, which she now knows in Russian as well! I was skeptical at first, but now I think it's a great teaching method.

LOVE IT!
My husband, Jim, and I adopted a little 3 year old boy, Steven, from Russia last year. Of course, being three, he spoke Russian as his native language. He had never even heard English until he met us. Now, eight months later, he speaks fluent English. However, I did not want him to lose his Russian speaking skills. As Jim and I only speak a few Russian parenting phrases, we could not really build on his skills.

My sister discovered Teach Me Russian and bought if for us. I put it in the stereo for Steven to hear. I was concerned as it started playing as he sometimes gets tense when he hears people speaking in Russian. But my concerns were needless. He looked up at me and had the biggest grin on his face. He said, "I like this one Mama!"

We often play classical or relaxing music for him as he settles in bed after his bath and reading time. Now when Jim goes to start the stereo he says, "Papa, can I hear the FUNNY one" (Meaning the Russian one)....After a couple of days, I said, "Steven, it's not FUNNY, it's Russian". So now he says, Papa, can I hear the Russian one"....I thought he understood that Russian was another language until the other day when he was watching a cartoon and I said, "That's FUNNY!" He looked up at me and said, "That's not FUNNY Mama, that's RUSSIAN!" I cracked up. I guess he's too young to understand we speak many languages on this Earth, but he's not too young to know he loves your tapes.

While I understand the primary use for your tapes is to teach children other languages, I think it is a wonderful comforting tool for internationally adopted children. International adotption is a humanitarian cause which is helping children all over the world. As Americans in a land of pleanty we have so much to share. So much love, opportunity, and good will to give. ... Read more

Book Description

Nine catchy songs teaching basic subtraction facts with minuends to 18.A complement of slef quizzing music tracks allows students to quiz themselves. ... Read more

Book Description

Roxane Orgill's vivid words and Leonard Jenkins's dramatic pictures combine to tell the story of a boy who grew up to be a giant of jazz - the legendary and beloved Louis Armstrong. As a poor boy in New Orleans, where music was everywhere - dancing out of doorways, singing on streetcorners, crying from the cornet of the great Joe Oliver for all to hear - Louis longed for a horn so that he too could sing, bring home pennies, and, most of all, tap happy-feet blues till the sun rose. It wasn't going to be easy. Many things, not all of them good, had to happen before he got his horn. But when at last he did, he sent music spiraling up into the New Orleans night sky like a spinning top gone crazy. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Excellent picture book biography of the jazz musician.
One of the best picture book biographies I've seen, the rich text and earthy pictures evoke the soul of the jazz artist, pictured here as a boy. A lovely introduction to a jazz master for very young readers from six years and older. ... Read more

Book Description

Features 63 kidsÕ hits: Alley Cat Song ¥ Any Dream Will Do ¥ Circle of Life ¥ The Grouch Song ¥ Hakuna Matata ¥ I WonÕt Grow Up ¥ Kum-Ba-Yah ¥ Monster Mash ¥ My Favorite Things ¥ On Top of Spaghetti ¥ Sesame Street Theme ¥ Tomorrow ¥ When IÕm Sixty-Four ¥ Winnie the Pooh ¥ YouÕve Got a Friend in Me ¥ more. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

The Really Big Book of Children's Songs
Provides an excellent compilation of easy to learn favorites. Simple arrangements and large staff make this a must have for any novice pianist or singer. Includes Disney classics and childhood standards such as "Be Kind to Your Web Footed Friends," "Monster Mash," the "Theme from Seasame Street" and many more. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Introducing young readers to the music genius of Mozart
By the time Mozart was 20 he was one of the most exciting composers in Europe. He had already accomplished more than 99.9% of us do in an entire lifetime. Mozart's true musical genius was not recognized until after he died, but the extent of is talent is detailed in this juvenile biography of Roland Vernon. This story begins with a recognition of his genius and the more than 600 musical works he composed, then tells the story of the child genius who became a famous musical prodigy and then the darling of Vienna. The book is comprised of two page spreads, illustrated mostly with historic paintings and drawings along with contemporary art by Ian Andrew. The back of the book contains a Time Chart and a Glossary, which covers not only vocabulary terms like "concerto" and "libertine". For those young readers who have seen the film "Amadeus," Vernon provides a final sidebar that pointedly separates fact from fiction. Introducing Mozart is part of a series that looks at the influences and historical events that shaped the lives of the great composers from Bach and Beethoven to Stravinsky and Gershwin. This volume does indeed put the composer's life in the context of the revolutionary times in which he lived and composed his music. Final suggestion: while reading this biography of Mozart listening to his music is a good idea. There are several decent "hits" collection of Mozart's music readily available and you will find that most of those tracks on such albums are specifically mentioned in the pages of this volume. ... Read more