Books About Musical Instruments for Kids

From the cello to the clarinet to the trumpet to the drums, Those Amazing Musical Instruments! takes readers on a musical tour, with notes on the history, construction and sounds of the instruments from each of the major instrument "families." They can see the parts of the violin working together, read about the flute in Mozart's "The Marriage of Figaro," or hear the different sounds of the tuba on the included CD-ROM. This interactive CD-ROM includes individual musical samples giving readers an audible taste of each instrument, as well as full orchestra pieces showing how they play together.

Those Amazing Musical Instruments! features noted conductor Marin Alsop as kids' guide to the instruments, offering helpful comments and tips throughout the book.

Eye-catching illustrations, engaging text and delightful musical selections on the accompanying 70-minute CD lead children ages 8 to 12 (and parents, too!) on an exciting and educational tour through the instruments and music of the orchestra. Illustrated in exquisite and colorful detail with over 100 original drawings and photographs, this package is a fun and exciting musical journey for children.

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.

With mournful moan and silken tone,itself alone comes ONE TROMBONE...Then a trumpet joins in to become a duet; add a French horn and voila! you have a trio -- and on it goes until an entire orchestra is assembled on stage. Lloyd Moss's irresistible rhymes and Marjorie Pricemans's energetic illustrations make beautiful music together -- a masterpiece that is the perfect introduction to musical instruments and musical groups, and a counting book that redefines the genre.

For sixty years audiences have been charmed by the adventures of a tuba named Tubby. All day long, Tubby plays oompah, oompah with his orchestra, but what he really wants is to "dance with the pretty little tune." A resourceful bullfrog shows Tubby that everyone has the right to play his own melody. When the recording of Tubby the Tuba was first released, it met with instant success, and it went on to sell 13 million copies. Now these classic characters have been reimagined by Henry Cole in this stunning picture book, which comes complete with a CD of the author's performance with full orchestration. This is a musical and visual treat for a whole new generation to enjoy the world's most famous tuba.

Foster a love of music with this new title in the Discover Series.

Crisp, colorful photographs introduce children to musical instruments from around the world. Familiar instruments like piano and drums are paired with interesting images of sitar and trombones.

Used as a jumpstart for interaction, Discover Series Picture Books for Kids are a great way to utilize the Kindle Fire, Kindle apps for other color devices or even traditional black and white Kindles. This musical instrument book is a great way to introduce instruments, their sounds and colors to kids.

Nine tales, each one from a different country, show the power of music to transform the lives of its audience and its performers. The tales are nicely varied, including the familiar story of the Pied Piper of Hamelin, which begins the collection, as well as a pourquoi tale from Mongolia, a cautionary tale from the Hopi, and a Greek myth. Adler's skills as a storyteller are evident in the tellings, which will easily be understood by middle-school readers and are suitable for reading aloud. The softly colored illustrations, contributed by Greta Cencetti, are inviting and quietly reflect the tone of each story. The source notes are limited to the author's experiences with each tale; nonetheless, this is a solid collection with many curricular applications.

Everyone's favorite Caldecott Honor-winning porcine diva is back, and with fanfare!

There are going to be fireworks tonight, and Olivia can hardly wait to hear the band. But when she finds out that there isn't going to be a band, she can't understand why not. How can there be fireworks without a band?! And so Olivia sets to putting a band together herself...all by herself. Using pots, pans, her brother's toys, and even her father's suspenders, Olivia forms a band spectacular enough to startle any audience.

Lavishly brought to life in Ian Falconer's signature style, and introducing an eye-catching shade of blue, here is Olivia doing what Olivia does best -- making noise. Now available as an eBook with audio!