Listen to the Birds: An Introduction to Classical Music by Ana Garhard

Listen to the Birds, by Ana Garhard. The Secret Mountain, 2013, 48 pages each (CD included).

Reading level: Picture Books, ages 9-12
Maturity Level: 3 (8-10) and up

There are lots of ways to introduce classical music, depending on the age of the child. Ms. Garhard’s way is to group musical excerpts around a theme and use each selection (CD included) as a springboard for exploring music theory. Listening notes for each selection point out how the composer creates his effects. Composer biographies, a glossary of terms, and a comparative timeline make the book a mini-music course. With her advanced vocabulary the author makes no concession for age in the text, so by the time the average kid is old enough to read the books independently, he may be too old for the material. On the other hand, a middle-grader who hasn’t had much music theory could learn a lot.

Listen to the Birds is a delight: who knew there were so many bird themes in classical music? The selections cover a wide range of periods and styles, with excerpts from famous works (The Four Seasons, The Magic Flute, Peter and the Wolf, etc.) as well as obscure ones, such as “le chant des oiseaux,” in which human voices imitate birdsong.  Most of the selections are less than 90 seconds long, but for full versions of the ones you like, try Youtube.  NOTE: a second book in the series, Simply Fantastic, follows a similar format with a supernatural theme.  It’s more problematic since some of the pictures and creatures (gnomes, witches, and the like) may be too scary for little children.

• Worldview/moral value: N/A
• Artistic value: 4

Cautions: none
Recommended use: music enrichment, group learning, read-aloud

Categories: NONFICTION, CURRICULUM TIE-IN, NATURAL SCIENCE, birds, MUSIC, music appreciation, music history