Meet the Orchestra by Ann Hayes, Karmen Thompson (Illustrator)

From the Publisher

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

Publishers Weekly

Working within the framework of an evening at the symphony--the title page features concert-goers buying tickets, the last page shows musicians and audience members heading home--these collaborators have drummed up a treasure of a book for musically inclined children. Each instrument of the orchestra--from oboes and violas to tubas, trumpets and timpani--is explained, with clear definitions as well as more subjective information as to how each one sounds (the clarinet's ``cool tones melt in your ears just like ice cream melts in your mouth''). Thompson's illustrations are sumptuously silly--but musically correct--featuring an array of formally dressed animal musicians (check out the otter in tails on the piccolo). Readers also meet the conductor and learn his role, and are treated to a glimpse of the orchestra seated and in full cry. It's a smashing introduction to classical music, and a must prior to a first visit to the symphony. Ages 4-8. (Mar.)

Children's Literature

The musical families-strings, woodwinds, brass and percussion-are introduced and the individual instruments described. Fanciful watercolors show an orchestra of animals playing the instruments; a walrus aptly plucks the string bass, whereas a lively otter trills the piccolo. The brief text first details facts about the instruments, such as how they are played, how they make sound, etc., and then follows with a rather poetic description of the music produced. 1995 (orig.

Children's Literature

This is a humorously perceptive introduction to musicians and their instruments of the finest picture-book kind. The musicians, animals all, hold their instruments as true professionals, embouchure- and hand-position perfect. Poetic paragraphs aptly portray each instrument's distinctive attributes in terms youngsters will readily appreciate.

School Library Journal

K-Gr 3-- An attractive, well-planned book that introduces the orchestra's families (groups of like instruments) and its members. In clear and understandable prose, each instrument's function, especially as it relates to the other members of its family, and its sound are described in sometimes poetic phrases--``its song can be bright as laughter, light as air, soft as a whisper, or sad as a tear.'' Single- or double-page spreads feature a large watercolor illustration of an animal playing the instrument under discussion. Although most are aptly chosen for their instruments--a polar bear playing a bassoon and a lion as the conductor--some are disconcerting. The sight of a chimpanzee in a pink dress and frilly pantaloons sitting at a grand piano lessens the effectiveness of that instrument's description. Overall, however, these creatures add a lively note and enable the book to be friendly and accessible without exhibiting the overriding silliness found in Eugen's Orchestranimals (Scholastic, 1989). A good book to use in the classroom as well as individually, this is a collaboration between two artists whose love for music and the orchestra is evident throughout. --Jane Marino, White Plains Pub . Lib . , NY

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