Suggestions for children's story with musical theme?
Janet Puistonen
do with music--preferably making music?
I'm looking for something to use all or part of as a reading during Music
Sunday at my church, so good passages on the subject would do also. (We're
Unitarian Universalists, so conventional religiosity is not a factor.)
The only thing I've thought of off the top of my head are Beethoven Lives
Upstairs and Mr Bach Comes to Visit, as used by the Classical Kids
recordings. But I'd like to find something on a classic level. By classic
level, I mean something like "Miss Rumphius," which I used recently for a
service on the nature of success.
Elaine Thompson
<box...@verizon.net> wrote:
>Anyone have suggestions for really good childrens' story or book having to
>do with music--preferably making music?
>
What leapt to my mind was a Zenna Henderson 'People' story, the one
about 'the Fancher kid' who had a passion for making music. He swipes
a whole orchestra (instruments only), IIRC, precipitating the climax
of the story.
Don't know if it would suit your needs, but FWIW. It's a short story,
at least.
--
Elaine Thompson <Ela...@KEThompson.org>
joanna...@yahoo.com
helpful--
The Philharmonic gets Dressed Karla Kuskin
The Remarkable Farkle McBride John Lithgow
Zin Zin Zin a Violin Lloyd Moos
Joanna
(I hope it's not too late to pipe in with suggestions!!)
joanna...@yahoo.com
helpful--
The Philharmonic gets Dressed Karla Kuskin
The Remarkable Farkle McBride John Lithgow
Zin Zin Zin a Violin Lloyd Moos
Joanna
(I hope it's not too late to pipe in with suggestions!!)
Barbara Needham
Ruthann Biel
Book List about Music and Violin
I finally sat down and typed up the list of books we have collected about music.
Then I went looking on amazon for "violin + juvenile" and found some new titles
(which we do not own...yet.) I have arranged them by the reading level
indicated on Amazon. Some of these books are out of print, but in many cases,
used books can be obtained reasonably. Also check your local library. You are
likely to find other books that are just as enjoyable as the ones on this list.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Reading level - baby and preschool
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Barn Dance! by Bill Martin Jr. and John Archambault. Illustrated by Ted Rand.
isbn 0-8050-0799-7. aimed at young ones. Reading level: Baby-Preschool
Unable to sleep on the night of a full moon, a young boy follows the sound of
music across the fields and finds an ususual barn dance in progress.
A Reading Rainbow book.
Mole Music. by David McPhail. isbn 0-8050-2819-6.
Reading level: Baby-Preschool
Young child's picture book, large print with not too many words on a page.
Feeling that something is missing in his simple life, Mole acquires a violin
and learns to make beautiful, joyful music.
Zin! Zin! Zin! a Violin. by Lloyd Moss. Illustrated by Marjorie Priceman.
isbn 0-590-92886-4. Reading level: Baby-Preschool.
A fun picture book. We listened to it in the car the other day for the first
time in years. Our copy is a Scholastic edition that came with a tape.
The Story of the Incredible Orchestra : An Introduction to Musical Instruments
and the Symphony Orchestra. by Bruce Koscielniak.
eading level: Baby-Preschool. both paperback and hardback.
Have you ever seen an orchestra perform? What are all those different
instruments and how do
they all play just the right note at just the right time? In this fact-filled
and entertaining picture book, Bruce Koscielniak gives us a lively look at the
history of the orchestra and all the instruments that make up this wonderful
gathering of sound. From the "tooter, strings and beaters" of the 1600s to the
keyboard synthesizers of today, this playful exploration follows the
developments and trends of music and instruments over the past four hundred
years.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Reading Level - ages 4-8
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Rosie's Fiddle. by Phyllis Root. Illustrated by Kevin O'Malley.
isbn 0-688-12852-1. Reading level: Ages 4-8
A picture book for young children, but still fun for older ones.
Rosie O'Grady can out-fiddle the devil himself, say her neighbors, and one day
the devil challenges her to a contest.
Bach's Big Adventure. by Sallie Ketcham. Illustrated by Timothy Bush.
ISBN 0-531-30140-0. Not a big print book. Reading level: Ages 4-8
When young Sebastian Bach learns that old Adam Reincken of Hamburg is a better
organist than himself, he sets out to meet his rival.
The Fiddler of the Northern Lights. by Natalie Kinsey-Warnock.
Illustrated by Leslie W. Bowman. isbn 0-525-65215-9. Reading level: Ages 4-8
A bigger kid's story book. Henry and Grandpa go in search of the fiddler whose
music makes the Northern Lights dance.
Musical Instruments. A Scholastic First Discovery Book.
Created by Gallimard Jeunesse and Claude Delafosse. Illustrated by Donald Grant.
isbn 0-590-47729-3. Reading level: Ages 4-8
For young children with some see-through pages.
Turkey in the Straw. by Barbara Shook Hazen. Illustrated by Brad Sneed.
isbn 0-8037-1298-7.
(I found it on a bargain table for $4.00) Reading level: Ages 4-8
Young child's picture book. When things are looking bad, a farmer who would
rather fiddle than do his chores invites his neighbors to a hoedown where he
plays such a lively tune that his shy daughter's pet turkey starts dancing,
with happy results.
The Musical Life of Gustav Mole. Illustrated by Kathryn Meyrick.
Comes with a tape. ISBN: 085953376X. Picture book.
Rather than just an instruments book, it touches on opera,jazz, and other
genres of music. Quite a wonderful book.
Meet the Orchestra. by Ann Hayes. ISBN: 0152002227.
Reading level: Ages 4-8
"This lyrical romp through the orchestra begins with animal musicians slowly
gathering for the evening performance. Poetic descriptions suggest the sounds
of the instruments, and lively watercolor illustrations capture the playful
essence of each musician and musical instrument. It's a smashing introduction
to classical music, and a must prior to a first visit to the symphony."
--Publishers Weekly.
I can play my violin just as well as Jeremy can! by Margaret Keith.
Illustrated by Alvin Zotigh.
(available from Young Musicians, no isbn on my copy)
about a 5yo learning Suzuki violin.
Mozart: Scenes from the Childhood of the Great Composer.
by Catherine Brighton.
ASIN: 0385415389. Reading level: Ages 4-8.
A picture book about Mozart's childhood told from his sister's point of view.
Fiddlin' Sam. by Marianna Dengler. ISBN: 0873587421.
Reading level: Ages 4-8.
A sweet story about a mountain fiddler and the gifts of music.
Beautiful illustrations.
Nina's Waltz. by Corinne Demas & Deborah Lanino.
Reading level: Ages 4-8. ISBN: 0531302814 or ASIN: 0531332810
A nice father daughter book. A wonderful few pages on overcoming stage
fright.
Gabriella's Song. by M. Davol. Reading level: Ages 4-8. ISBN: 0689841752
In the streets and canals of Venice, Gabriella can hear nothing but sweet
music. The drying laundry goes slap-slap, the church bells go ting-aling-ling,
and the lire go jing-aling-ling. Soon, Gabriella is humming her way through
town -- and everyone hears her song! Some find it sad, others smile when they
hear it -- but none can forget the beautiful melody. Before long, a certain
struggling composer is inspired by Gabriella's song -- and a beautiful
symphony is born.
The Cat's Midsummer Jamboree. by David Kherdian. ASIN: 0399222227.
Reading level: Ages 4-8
Playfully shows the joy and fun of music; it all can start with a cat who
loves to sing.
Musical Max. by Robert Kraus. ASIN: 0099911000. Ages 3-6.
A bit silly, but also very colorful, book about practicing. Both too much
and not at all ending finally with a happy medium.
The Philharmonic Gets Dressed. by Karla Kuskin . Reading level: Ages 4-8.
ISBN: 006443124X. Creatively done picture book about the preparation
(getting dressed and ready) of an orchestra. Wonderful ending.
The Bat Boy And His Violin. by Gavin Curtis. Reading level: Ages 4-8
Found on amazon. ISBN: 0689841159
Reginald loves to create beautiful music on his violin. But Papa, manager of
the Dukes, the worst team in the Negro National League, needs a bat boy, not
a "fiddler," and traveling with the Dukes doesn't leave Reginald much time for
practicing. Soon the Dukes' dugout is filled with Beethoven, Mozart, and
Bach -- and the bleachers are filled with the sound of the Dukes' bats. Has
Reginald's violin changed the Dukes' luck -- and can his music pull off a
miracle victory against the powerful Monarchs? Gavin Curtis's beautifully
told story of family ties and team spirit and E. B. Lewis's lush watercolor
paintings capture a very special period in history.
Nathaniels Violin. by Alison Lohans. ISBN: 0613294858.
Reading level: Ages 4-8. out of print.
A Fiddle for Angus. by Budge Wilson & Susan Tooke. ISBN: 0887765009.
Reading level: Ages 4-8.Gr 1-3-
Young Angus, who lives in a Cape Breton village near the sea, longs to learn
how to play an instrument so he can join his family's orchestra. When the
day comes for the child to choose an instrument of his own, he takes the
decision very seriously. Through hard work and concentration, he masters the
fiddle and achieves his goal. Wilson's vivid writing draws readers in as the
boy ruminates over which instrument to choose ("The sound coming out of her
fiddle was the wind and the waves and every happy thing"), while Tooke's
realistic, acrylic illustrations depict intense details and expressions.
Looks of love and encouragement are displayed on the faces of the young
musician and his family throughout the story. Ideal for budding musicians
or children who require extra motivation in other areas, this book will
encourage perseverance and hard work, as well as spotlight the positive
effects of a loving and harmonious family.
…Reading Level - ages 4-8
Meet the Orchestra. by Anne Hayes. Reading level: Ages 4-8.
both paperback & hardback.
This lyrical romp through the orchestra begins with animal musicians slowly
gathering for the evening performance. Poetic descriptions suggest the sounds
of the instruments, and lively watercolor illustrations capture the playful
essence of each musician and musical instrument. It’s a smashing
introduction to classical music, and a must prior to a first visit to the
symphony.”
(Getting to Know the World's Greatest Composers)
by Mike Venezia. Reading level: Ages 4-8. Engaging to children much older than 8.
Johann Sebastian Bach. ISBN: 0516263528
Ludwig Van Beethoven ISBN: 0516200690
Leonard Bernstein. ISBN: 0516262440
Johannes Brahms. ISBN: 0516264672
Frederic Chopin. ISBN: 0516265342
Aaron Copland. ISBN: 0516445383
Duke Ellington. ISBN: 0516445405
George Gershwin. ISBN: 0516445367
George Handel. ISBN: 0516445391
Peter Tchaikovsky. ISBN: 0516445375
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. ISBN: 0516445413
John Philip Sousa. ISBN: 051626401X
Igor Stravinsky. ISBN: 0516260766
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Reading Level - ages 7-12
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I Wonder Why Flutes Have Holes and Other Questions about Music.
by Josephine Paker. isbn 1-85687-583-5. Fact book aimed at 7-12.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Reading Level - ages 9-12
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The King, The Cat, and The Fiddle. by Yehudi Menuhin and Christopher Hope.
Illustrated by Angela Barrett. isbn 0-03-061515-1. Out of print.
I bought it used. Probably for ages 9-11.
After dismissing his fiddlers for reasons of economy, the king and his subjects
are plunged into loom and bad temper until Joachim, the cat, persuades the king
and his accountants to learn to play an instrument. violin mentioned.
Work is Play If You Practice My Way. by Margaret Keith. Illustrated by
Amy Stewart and Albin Zotigh. (available from Young Musicians, no isbn on my
copy) About a 10yo and her family and her Suzuki musical experiences.
You Can't Reach a Goal You've Never Had! by Margaret Keith. Illustrated by
Albin Zotigh. (available from Young Musicians, no isbn on my copy)
Another story about the 10yo girl and her violin goals.
The Young Person's Guide to the Ballet. (with CD). by Anita Ganeri.
isbn 0-15-201184-6. Aimed at the 9-12 market.
The Young Person's Guide to Music. (with CD). by Neil Ardley with music by
Poul Ruders.
Aimed at the 9-12 market.A DK book. About instruments and history.
The Violin Man. by Maureen Brett Hooper. Illustrations by Gary Undercuffler.
isbn 1-878093-79-7. Reading level: Ages 9-12.
A nineteenth-century story of the search for a lost Stradivarius violin.
The events of the search make exciting adventure. 70 pages.
The Mozart Season. by Virginia Euwer Wolff. isbn 0-439-16309-9.
Reading level: Ages 9-12
About a girl (about 12yo) who participates in a music competition while trying
to figure out lots of things in life.
Music Lessons For Alex. by Caroline Arnold. ASIN: 0899193285.
Reading level: Ages 9-12
Text and photographs follow ten-year-old Alex through the process of learning
to play a musical instrument from her selection of her violin to her first
solo recital less than a year later.
Music In The Wood (W/ CD). by Cornelia Cornelissen. Reading level: Ages 9-12
Photographs and text record a master violin maker's creation of a baroque cello,
and the included compact disc provides a selection of classical music played
by a renowned cellist on the instrument detailed in the book.
Violins (Music Makers). by Pamela K. Harris. Reading level: Ages 9-12
Simple text describes violins, how they are made, and how they are played.
Midori Brilliant Violinist. by Charnan Simon. Reading level: Ages 9-12
A large type book with photos on every page telling about Midori's childhood.
Handel, Who Knew What He Liked. by M.T. Anderson. ISBN: 0763610461.
Reading level: Ages 9-12
The life and works of Handel in picture book format. Nicely illustrated.
Fiddler to the World: The Inspiring Life of Itzhak Perlman.
by Carol H. Behrman. Reading level: Ages 9-12. ASIN: 1558702385
A very inspiring book about the life of violinist Itzhak Perlman. Includes
a great intro. to the violin as well as information about polio (he suffered
from polio when he was 4).
Nadja, On My Way. by Nadja Salerno-Sonnenburg . ASIN: 0517573911
Nadja's autobiography gives the reader a clear view of what it is to be a
musician. Told with much humor, it is an easy read. 75 pgs.
Letters to Horseface : young Mozart's travels in Italy. by F.N. Monjo ;
Reading level: Ages 9-12. ASIN: 0140348018
illustrated & designed by Don Bolognese & Elaine Raphael
Singular black-and-white sketches document the celebrated composer's Italian
sojourn of 1769-70, documented here through imaginary letters to his sister,
Nannerl. Ages 8-up.
Why Beethoven Threw The Stew And Lots More Stories about the Lives of Great
Composers. by Steven Isserlis ISBN 0-571-20616-6.
I believe it is for ages 9-12.
From the back cover: This book is a unique introduction for children to the
world of classical composers and their music. Famous cellist Steven Isserlis
brings six of his favourite composers to life in an irresistible manner,
painting hilarious biographical portraits of each of them and describing
their music in lively detail. Packed with facts, date, anecdotes and
illustrations, Why Beethoven Threw The Stew is an attractive an accessible
read for children (and their parents!).
Yang the Youngest and his Terrible Ear. by Lensey Mamioka. ISBN: 0440409179
Reading level: Ages 9-12.
Everyone in the Yang family is a talented musician except for nine-year-old
Yingtao, the youngest Yang. Even after years of violin lessons from his father,
Yingtao cannot make beautiful music. Now that his family has moved from China
to Seattle, Yingtao wants to learn English and make new friends at school.
Still, he must make time to practice his violin for an important family
recital to help his father get more students. Yingtao is afraid his
screeching violin will ruin the recital. But he's even more afraid to tell
his family that he has found something he likes better than music. Together
he and his new friend Matthew think of a sure way to save the recital.
They are certain nothing will go wrong.
Yang the Eldest and His Odd Jobs. by Lensey Namioka. ISBN: 0316590118
In the Asian-American Yang family, Eldest Brother, Yingwu, is the most gifted
musician. When his violin develops a buzz, the family cannot afford a new one.
Falling deeply in love with a wonderful instrument at the violin shop and
hoping to buy it, Eldest Brother embarks on a series of jobs. He becomes
quite successful at earning money - until the precious violin is sold to
someone else. Then money becomes his obsession instead of music.
Two Trees. by Kevin Lee Luthier. Reading level: Ages 9-12.
A unique book, written by a 'living' master violinmaker about the intriging
world he lives in.
…Reading Level - ages 9-12
Fiddle Fever. by Sharon Arms Doucet. Reading level: Ages 9-12. ISBN: 0786235489
Gr. 4-7. Once Felix hears his uncle play the fiddle, he knows that music runs
in his blood, too. The problem is, Felix's mother, Maman, does not look kindly
on fiddle playing. To her it represents irresponsibility, the sort her
brother displayed when he abandoned his prosperous farm to travel and play
music, while her own family had to struggle to make a living off their land.
Felix is so determined to play, however, that he painstakingly constructs his
own violin out of a wooden cigar box.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Reading level: Young Adult
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Unfinished Dreams. by Jane Breskin Zalben. ASIN: 0689800339.
Reading level: Ages 9-12 but mature themes.
Jason, a nine-year-old Jewish boy, pursues his dream of becoming a great
violinist even as he
deals with disappointments and deaths of loved ones.
Midnight Hour Encores. By Bruce Brooks. isbn 0-06-447021-0.
Reading level: Young Adult
A coming of age novel. Girl (16yo), accomplished cellist, drives with her
dad across the States to see her mother for the first time.
[Ruthann here....I really like this book.]
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Reading level: Adult.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Piano Shop on the Left Bank: Discovering a Forgotten Passion in a Paris
Atelier. by Thaddeus Carhart.
It's an adult book, and you don't have to be a pianist to enjoy it!
Never Too Late: My Musical Life Story. by John Holt.
The story of John Holt, the educator, and how he started cello at age 40.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Reading level: Unknown.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Stories of Composers. by Catherine Wolff Kendall. Large print.
Biographies of 30 composers of early Suzuki violin and viola repertoire.
I started reading these aloud when my son was 6 or 7 years old. The book
has two or three pages for each composer, and a picture, if available.
Available from either Young Musicians or Shar Products. Amazon thinks
it is out-of-print.
The Violin Close Up. by Peter Schaaf. ASIN: 0590076558
A simple book with close up photographs of the violin.
…Reading Level. Unknown.
The Heart of the Wood. by M. Davol, JP Davol, ASIN: 0153333537
From tree to violin this story illustrates beautifully the circle of life,
around a violin.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Audio Recordings
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Classical Kids CDs are superb!
http://www.childrensgroup.com/sections/classical/bclassical_ie.html
Classical Kids: Vivaldi's Ring of Mystery.
Classical Kids: Mr. Bach Comes To Call.
Classical Kids: Hallelujah Handel!
Classical Kids: Tchaikovsky Discovers America
Classical Kids: Beethoven Lives Upstairs
Mozart's Magnificent Voyage: Tales Of The Dream Children
Mozart's Magic Fantasy: A Journey Through 'The Magic Flute'
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
References:
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Amazon http://www.amazon.com/
Young Musicians. http://www ymonline.com/
Shar Products. http://www.sharmusic.com/
Southwest Strings. http://www.swstrings.com/
--
Ruthann Biel | Mother, Unschooler, Stitcher, Music Lover.
bi...@ecs.csus.edu |-------------------------------------------
+1 916 381 4205 | Sacramento California USA