Children's Book of Music

Product Description Music has always been an amazing way for people to connect with each other and to express their ideas and emotions. In this clear and lively introduction to music history, readers take a chronological journey around the world, exploring the sounds and rhythms of different cultures, the development of instruments, and the progression of musical styles. From the beginnings of music for ritual or magical purposes to the technological developments that have taken modern music in new directions, children will discover the fascinating history of music and how it has become an international exchange of ideas. The book also includes a bonus CD, featuring a selection of music from around the world. From School Library Journal Grade 3–6—Concise summaries and eye-catching photography are combined in this chronological look at music "from the first hum" to digital recording and reactable electronic instruments. The book explores the nature of music, its origins, and varied sounds. The organization creates a useful resource for research as well as for casual browsing with coded pages for instrument and composer profiles, styles, and performances within three major time periods: early music, classical (Western civilization) music, and modern music. Readers searching for instrumentation will find early folk instruments from around the world (including the Australian didgeridoo and Chinese pipa) and numerous pages describing the full orchestra and individual instrument families. The book also addresses dance, musicals, opera, and styles of the modern era. While the information is succinct, there is enough depth for basic information and unusual facts, and the narrative branches out far beyond the same four to eight composers found in the usual introductions for this age group. Readers will find recognizable names from current artists (Lady Gaga), popular artists and styles from the last century (Led Zeppelin, The Beatles, Elvis Presley, Frank Sinatra, Andres Segovia) and may trace the evolution of Western musical style through film, recorded music, musicals, and popular culture. Thirty-five musical highlights are included on the CD—for example, the sound of pan pipes, Debussy's Clair de Lune arranged for harp, or the overture from Figaro—each tagged by an icon and explanation within the book, provide teaching and listening aids. A solid resource for any library.— Mary Elam, Learning Media Services Plano ISD, TX (c) Copyright 2011.  Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.