Music Legends
Key Stage 2The history of rock is chronicled through forty world-famous artists and groups in this stylishly designed and illustrated book. It begins with Elvis Presley, whirls through the psychedelic 60s and the protest songs of the 70s, then via glam rock and reggae takes us into the punk era, new wave and hip hop, leaving us with Beyoncé and Arcade Fire. It’s clearly a personal choice (Blur but not Oasis? And where are the queens of soul and disco?) but covers a huge range of styles and movements, and gives a real sense of the evolution of popular music. Each artist has a double page and they are represented via stylish, graphic illustrations accompanied by useful captions – dotted lines lead from Bob Dylan’s head to the words ‘Politically engaged’, while Elvis’s hips are labelled ‘provocative’. Fun, stylish and informative.
Yellow Submarine
Key Stage 1There’s something of the nursery rhyme to the lyrics of Yellow Submarine making it particularly appealing to children, and even more than 50 years after its release, there’ll hardly be a child in the country who can’t sing along. Based on the iconic 1968 film by Heinz Edelmann which took those lyrics as inspiration for a wild psychedelic adventure the book is a satisfying mix of happenings and illustration, both equally surreal, all held together by the unmistakably charismatic figures of the Fab Four. Watch out for the Sea of Holes, the Blue Meanies and the dreadful flying Glove – and say after me: “Love is all you need!” ~ Andrea Reece
Tom Gates: Biscuits, Bands and Very Big Plans
Key Stage 2The bestselling fully-illustrated Tom Gates series is back with a new book! This book is VERY important because it contains BISCUITS, BANDS and all my (doodled) plans to make DogZombies the BEST band in the world. MY VERY BIG PLAN: 1. Write more songs about VERY important things like... ... biscuits 2. Make sure there's a good supply of SNACKS for our band practice 3. Avoid Delia at ALL COSTS, she thinks I've been SNOOPING in her room. (I have.) 4. DOODLE as much as possible, especially if Marcus is watching
Ella Fitzgerald
Key Stage 1Meet Ella Fitzgerald, one of the most influential jazz singers of all time! With stylish and quirky illustrations and extra facts at the back, this empowering series celebrates the important life stories of wonderful people of the world. From designers and artists to scientists, all of them went on to achieve incredible things, yet all of them began life as a little child with a dream. These books make the lives of these role models accessible for children, providing a powerful message to inspire the next generation of outstanding people who will change the world! Little People, Big Dreams series include: Ada Lovelace Agatha Christie Amelia Earhart Anne Frank Audrey Hepburn Coco Chanel Ella Fitzgerald Emmeline Pankhurst Frida Kahlo Georgia O’Keeffe Harriet Tubman Jane Austen Jane Goodall Josephine Baker Lucy Maud Montgomery Maria Montesorri Marie Curie Maya Angelou Mother Teresa Muhammed Ali Rosa Parks Simone de Beauvoir Stephen Hawking Vivienne Westwood We have a special category for the Little People, Big Dreams series. Click here to view them all.
The Nutcracker
Key Stage 2Lovely to look at and delightful to read, this is a lively, exceptionally engaging way to introduce children to one of the best loved ballets: each page features a button that when pressed plays an excerpt of Tchaikovsky’s music. The story is told over busy double page illustrations, the scenes varied and each full of detail and atmosphere. A glossary at the back explains dance and musical terms and there are short biographical notes on Tchaikovsky as well as notes on the different pieces of music the children have heard, for example, how the celesta used in the Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy makes the piece sound so sparkly and magical. A real Christmas treat. ~ Andrea Reece
Listen and Learn Musical Instruments
Early YearsThis ingenious book is a clever way to introduce children to the many different types of instrument there are in the world. Colour cards with bright, friendly illustrations feature nine different instruments on each side, grouped by type e.g. string instruments, instruments you blow into to make a sound. Slot the cards into the special holder, turn the switch on the back cover to on, and pressing the illustrations of the instruments produces a couple of notes or a short musical phrase. Children can compare the sound of a trombone with a didgeridoo, or a double bass with a viola or sarangi. It’s a marvel that this one small-ish book can demonstrate so many musical instruments and it’s certain to catch children’s imaginations. ~ Andrea Reece
A Treasury of Songs
Early YearsJulia Donaldson was writing lively, irresistible songs for children even before she was writing her much-loved books, and 23 of those songs are collected in this lovely book. Lots of the subjects will be familiar to children – there’s a song based on The Hare and the Tortoise for example, and a number that accompany some of her best-loved books including The Gruffalo, Room on the Broom and The Snail and the Whale. Illustrations throughout are by her long-time collaborator Axel Scheffler, making this wonderful to look at too. And there’s a CD of Julia performing the songs so that we can all join in. A treasury indeed that will provide hours of happy reading, listening and singing! ~ Andrea Reece
The School of Music
Key Stage 2This excellent book is an inspiring and all-encompassing guide to the world of music for young people. By inviting them to imagine they are attending a music course over an academic year the authors make it particularly involving for young people and the different ‘lessons’ cover everything from the different kinds of music and musical instruments there are, to the elements of musical language, and how to make music yourself. The tone is engaging and conversational throughout and the book is extremely well-designed, colourful illustrations by Daniel Frost adding to the overall appeal. Readers can listen online to recordings my top musicians too thanks to a QR code. Bravo! ~ Andrea Reece Companion title to the School of Art.
Ella Queen of Jazz
Key Stage 2Stylishly illustrated this is a piece of non-fiction, the inspiring story of a special friendship, and a bit of a mystery story too. It introduces young readers to Ella Fitzgerald and describes the beginning of her career when she and her band were not allowed to perform in some clubs because of the colour of their skin. But Ella had one big fan determined to do something about that – who was it? The story reveals it was Marilyn Monroe, and describes the close friendship between the two women and how Marilyn helped Ella get the attention her music deserved. It’s a great story perfectly told through Helen Hancocks’s bold, vibrant illustrations and in clear engaging text and it brings a particular piece of history vividly to life. ~ Andrea Reece
First Book About the Orchestra
Early YearsThis little book is just the thing to show young children what an orchestra really is and how it works. From an opening page showing a group of musicians tuning up, it cleverly demonstrates what happens when all those people with their different instruments play together. Each spread introduces sections of the orchestra, naming the instruments and, via a special button embedded in each page, allows children to hear the music those instruments make too. It culminates with the whole orchestra plus conductor in the concert hall: press the button on the final page to hear the opening bars of their performance! Scan the QR code too to hear the piece all the way through. ~ Andrea Reece Lovereading4kids Back to School Favourites: The Great Grammar Book Listen and Learn First Chinese Words The Terrific Times Tables Book Come to School Too, Blue Kangaroo! First Book About the Orchestra The Usborne Chess Book Look Inside How Computers Work My First Word Book About School I Yam a Donkey
Room On The Broom And Other Songs (Book and CD)
Key Stage 1A book of nine songs and music together with an accompanying CD including her most famous Room on the Broom. Julia may well be one of the UK’s best-loved picture book authors but she is also a very talented song writer and singer as is shown by this wonderful volume that includes piano accompaniment and guitar chords for each score. This will ensure that even the most reluctant toddler will be hooked on the hilariously funny rhymes and appealing characters from a good witch and a bad dragon to a dog and a frog. Click here for an activity sheet related to this book !
Room On The Broom And Other Songs (Book and CD)
Early YearsA book of nine songs and music together with an accompanying CD including her most famous Room on the Broom. Julia may well be one of the UK’s best-loved picture book authors but she is also a very talented song writer and singer as is shown by this wonderful volume that includes piano accompaniment and guitar chords for each score. This will ensure that even the most reluctant toddler will be hooked on the hilariously funny rhymes and appealing characters from a good witch and a bad dragon to a dog and a frog.
