Meet the Orchestra [Paperback]

Ann Hayes (Author), Karmen Thompson (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 27, 1995 | Age Range: 4 - 8 years | Lexile Measure: 720L (What's this?)

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

Editorial Reviews

From 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.
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From School Library Journal

Kindergarten-Grade 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
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Age Range: 4 - 8 years
  
• Paperback: 32 pages
• Publisher: Sandpiper; 1st edition (March 27, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0152002227
• ISBN-13: 978-0152002220
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 11 x 0.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (31 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #70,913 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #10 in Books > Arts & Photography > Music > Theory, Composition & Performance > Sheet Music & Scores > Instrumentation > Orchestra
  • #59 in Books > Children's Books > Arts, Crafts & Music > Music

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

29 of 29 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Makes you wonder what might have been May 11, 2005

By Mike Windsor

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

There are not a lot of books about orchestras that are aimed at young children. This book does a few things really well. The illustrations are wonderful, and depict animals buying their tickets and getting seated, playing realistic-looking instruments, and going home. The illustrations get five stars. The text falls off a bit, and demonstrates a problem describing music with words. To say that an instrument sounds "blue" really doesn't say much. The text gets three stars. What is just maddening is that publishers can crank out any number of cartoon character books, with buttons along the side, that make an assortment of sounds. Why then can't some publisher use the same technology to give a brief sample of what the instruments sound like? I read this book, and I think of how it could have been so much better.

33 of 34 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Introduction To Orchestral Instruments July 19, 2000

By A Customer

Format:Paperback

My twin sons cherished this book from the time they were two years old. We have gone through six paperback copies (each insisted on having his own); my boys shared it with everyone they saw, and they even slept with it! They love the clever and colorful pictures, and the short verses describing each instrument capture each instruments' special sound and qualities better than any other children's book I have seen. I played my kids symphonic recordings and a videotape (Bernstein conducting Beethoven's 9th) along with this book, and at age three they could easily identify all of the instruments by sight and sound.

26 of 28 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Instruments Galore..... February 27, 2002

By Roz Levine

Format:Paperback

Meet the orchestra and all the fabulous instruments that come together to make such wonderful sounds, from the strings that are bowed or plucked, to the woodwinds and brass instruments that you blow air into, to the percussion section where instruments are "beaten, banged, dinged, and pinged." Author Ann Hayes takes you on a marvelous and intriguing journey through the orchestra, describing each section, instrument, and sound in simple, engaging and evocative language. Youngsters will almost be able to hear the low notes of the string bass moan and groan, the sadness of saying good-bye to someone you love when the oboe is played, flags flying and soldiers marching with the notes of the trumpet, and the flash of lightning when the cymbals crash. Unfortunately, Karen Thompson's illustrations are not equal to the text and are a bit dull and uninspired as you see page after page of expressionless animals, dressed in concert garb, holding instruments. Perfect for preschoolers, Meet The Orchestra is a lovely and gentle, read aloud introduction to musical instruments and their sounds the whole family can share together, and should peak the interest of budding little musicians everywhere.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Exceptionally descriptive April 30, 2005

By MovedbyMusic

Format:Paperback

Don't have the luxury of taking kids to a symphony? This book is the best choice for introducing kids to classical music and will give them graphic insight into the joy of an evening with an orchestra. The conductor's role is even explained and each orchestra instrument is clearly identified (without skewing all the attention to strings). The author's descriptions of the sounds from each instrument are delightfully descriptive. The focus floats from timpani to woodwinds and brass. Don't take a kid to a concert hall without reading this book to 'em first.

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A great book for children who have high interest in music! January 28, 2000

By A Customer

Format:Hardcover

The book is a great way of introducing music and musical instruments to children.The illustrations are wonderful!The animals are precious. For someone who would like to honor a musician in some way,this book would be a great book to do so.

13 of 15 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars A fun book that introduces instruments to your child December 2, 1999

By daisymay7

Format:Paperback

My daughters really like this book. They love the different animals and instruments. I love the words and descriptions they use while talking about what each instrument does and sounds like. I only wish they had a cassette tape that went along with it to introduce the sounds of the instruments as well.

12 of 14 people found the following review helpful

1.0 out of 5 stars Inexcusable January 20, 2009

By Ralph C. Sauer

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

I bought this book to read to my little grandson. Being a professional trombonist, I was shocked to find that there is absolutely no mention of the trombone. This is inexcusable--do not buy this book if you want a comprehensive book about the symphony orchestra.

11 of 13 people found the following review helpful

2.0 out of 5 stars Maybe I'm being too picky January 30, 2008

By A. Monaco

Format:Paperback

I don't have any children, so maybe I'm being too picky with this book but I felt the string section was covered nicely. The Violin, Viola, Cello, and string bass all were discussed. When it came to woodwinds, flute, piccolo, oboe, bassoon, clarinet, and bass clarinet were all shown (they seem to have forgotten saxophone may be more common than oboe.) . The brass section was empty only showcasing French Horn, Trumpet, and Tuba...leaving out euphonium or baritone, cornet, trombone. Basically that brings me to me to my point, the brass section of the book was bad...