Zin! Zin! Zin! A Violin by Lloyd Moss
Illustrated by Marjorie Priceman
1995
It's never too early to introduce kids to the world of classical music (thanks Mom for giving that world to me!). Classical music is art and math all at once. In Zin! Zin! Zin! A Violin, classical instruments get introduced one by one. The trombone with its "mournful moan and silken tone", the trumpet with its "swinging song", the french horn, the "mellow" cello, the violin, the flute "that sends our soul a-shiver", the clarinet, the oboe, the bassoon, and the harp, complete the chamber. Once they are all together, the conductor and his orchestra begin: "The STRINGS all soar, the REEDS implore, the BRASSES roar with notes galore. It's music that we all adore. It's what we go to concerts for."
Zin! Zin! Zin! A Violin uses a lot of content vocabulary, introducing the concepts of solo, duo, trio, quartet, quintet, sextet, septet, octet, nonet and chamber. At the same time, the book reinforces mathematical concepts of addition and counting. The verses flow so well though, that at no point do you feel like you're being "taught", you're just taken on a wonderful musical exploration. The illustrations are a beautiful accompaniment to the lyrical language. This is a great book to give kids a taste of the world of classical music and if they're anything like my own child, they'll be shouting "Encore!"
To me it is impossible being tired about reading your meaningful reviews. In this particular case the words are flowing alike musical notes sound while Yo-Yo Ma plays Thai´s Meditation. Well,I am a Mom trying to be objective. Did I succeed?
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