This holiday season, treat your little one to WELCOME TO THE SYMPHONY a lively, interactive book that introduces kids to the world of classical music using Beethoven’s Symphony No. 5.
WELCOME TO THE SYMPHONY includes a sound panel with 19 buttons that allow young readers to explore the intricate differences and relationships among the instruments. Through the narration of three mice, readers are taught the basics: What is a symphony? What is a conductor? Who was Beethoven? They learn elements of music: melody, harmony, and tempo. And they are introduced to the families of instruments: strings, woodwinds, brass, and percussion.
But the best part is that every critical idea is illustrated in gorgeous sound. The sound panel allows readers to hear the different parts of the symphony and voices of the music — the famous beginning of Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony, what a clarinet sounds like, the difference between a violin and a viola, what a musical conversation is. Kids will want to match their voices to the A note that tunes the orchestra, dance to the rhythmic passages—and, of course, sing along to da-da-da-daah!
My thoughts: I received a copy of Welcome to the Symphony to review. I was excited to give it to my son, Braxton because he is showing an interest in music. For the last two Christmases he has asked for and received a professional drum set as well as an electric guitar. He practices both on a daily basis and is getting to be pretty good at playing them on his own.
Welcome to the Symphony is definitely a great way to teach Braxton the sounds that all of the different instruments make, so if he develops an interest in playing another instrument, then he will have something to reference to at his early age. I also think it is important to show him that there are other types of music to enjoy besides rock music.
The book is written by Carolyn Sloan, a music educator at the Berkeley Carroll School in Brooklyn, songwriter and musician. Ms. Sloan has been writing music for theater, television, and children for the past 20 years.
For more information, please visit https://carolynsloan.info/welcome-to-the-symphony/
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book to review and to keep. All opinions are my own.