Have you ever seen an orchestra perform and wondered about all those different instruments? In this fact-filled, entertaining picture book, Bruce Koscielniak gives us a lively look at the history of the orchestra and the instruments in it. From the “tooter, strings, and beaters” of the 1600s to the keyboard synthesizers of today, this playful exploration follows the development and trends of musical instruments over the last four hundred years. A perfect and joyous celebration for anyone who loves music.

Describes the orchestra, the families of instruments of which it is made, and the individual instruments in each family.

"Your guide to the orchestra through sounds and stories." front cover.

Describes the orchestra and includes information on composers, instruments, and the conductor.

The next title in this best-selling sound series reimagines Carnival of the Animals, one of the most famous suites of music for children, by Camille Saint-Saens.

A town built on a landfill. A community in need of hope. A girl with a dream. A man with a vision. An ingenious idea.

Discover what it would be like to travel through the four seasons in one day in this musical story based on the classical masterpiece The Four Seasons—push the button in each breathtaking scene to hear the vivid sound of an orchestra playing from Vivaldi's score. Follow a little girl called Isabelle and her dog, Pickle, as they take on the adventure of a lifetime. As a sign of the changing seasons, Isabelle carries a little apple tree with her, and we see it bud, blossom, and lose its leaves. As you and your little one journey through the vibrant scenes illustrated by artist Jessica Courtney-Tickle, you will press the buttons to hear 10 excerpts from The Four Seasons violin concerti. At the back of the book, find a short biography of the composer, Antonio Vivaldi, with details about his composition of The Four Seasons. Next to this, you can replay the musical excerpts and, for each of them, read a discussion of the instruments, rhythms, and musical techniques that make them so powerful. A glossary defines musical terms. The Story Orchestra series brings classical music to life for children through gorgeously illustrated retellings of classic ballet stories paired with 10-second sound clips of orchestras playing from their musical scores. Manufacturer's note: please pull the white tab out of the back of the book before use. Sound buttons require a firm push in exact location to work, which may be hard for young children. All sound clips are 10 seconds long.

Once Upon a Tune brings you six wonderful stories from many lands, all of which inspired great music. You can battle trolls with Peer Gynt in The Hall of the Mountain King; grapple with a magic broom in The Sorcerer's Apprentice, meet the evil Witch of the North in The Swan of Tuonela, sail the seven seas with Sinbad the Sailor in Scheherazade; be a prince disguised as a bee in The Flight of the Bumblebee, and become a fearless hero in William Tell. The stories are excitingly told and stunningly illustrated by James Mayhew. Includes Musical Notes with more information about the stories and music, plus James's recommended recordings to download and listen to.

In his first book, actor and musician John Lithgow introduces a memorable character, a fickle yet lovable child prodigy who brings the sounds and rhythms of an orchestra to sprawling visual life. With a double gatefold showing the entire orchestra, this is the ultimate book for the music lover in all of us.