Zin! Zin! Zin! A Violin

Lloyd Moss (1995), 28 pages

Illustrated by Marjorie Priceman

Audience: all ages

Format: picture book

Music is the inspiration behind Moss and Priceman’s Zin! Zin! Zin! A Violin. Using an orchestra of instruments the story progresses from a lone trombone to a chamber group of ten, which makes for an energetic and eclectic countdown. With each turn of the page, readers amass more instruments, sounds, and musical terms along the way; each additional instrument is added until at last, readers are treated to a full symphony orchestra. This book is both educational and fun. Moss’s text is filled with rhyme and rhythm … words even sways back and forth as if they were dancing to a musical beat. Priceman’s illustrations are lively. Her bold color choices and whimsical drawings are full of movement. This 1996 Caldecott Honoree is a wonderful addition to your picture book collection. It teaches counting, numerals, names and types of instruments, etc. and will appeal to a range of ages, from babies, toddlers, and beyond. A great book if attending the orchestra, a concert, or theatre for the first time. Or play-pretend and make a duo, trio, or quartet of your own at home!

Reviewed by: Katharine Quinn, SJSU MLIS Student

If you liked this book, you may like: The Maestro Plays by Bill Martin Jr. or The Jazz Fly by Matthew Gollub

Other books by this author: Our Marching Band and Music Is

Other books by this illustrator: How to Make an Apple Pie and See the World, One of Each, Paris in the Spring with Picasso, Emeline at the Circus, and Hot Air: The (Mostly) True Story of the First Hot-Air Balloon Ride (Caldecott Honor)

Here Come the 123s

They Might Be Giants (2008), 44: 33 minutes

Audience: toddlers, pre-K

Format: CD/DVD

Jon Flansburgh and John Linnel have worked together since 1982 releasing both adult alternative rock albums and children’s music. They Might Be Giants won a Grammy Award for “Best Musical Album for Children” in 2009 for Here Comes the 123s, the group’s thirteenth album. This two-disc audio-video CD/DVD combination highlights a series of number and counting songs; a sequel to their 2005 release Here Comes the ABCs. Songs feature numerals from 1 to infinity; titles include … “One Everything,” “Number Two,” “High Five,” “Figure Eight,” “Pirate Girls Nine,” “One Dozen Monkeys,” and “Eight Hundred and Thirteen Mile Car Trip” along with other numerical inspirations such as “I Can Add” and “Even Numbers.” With twenty-seven tracks and twenty-four videos this disc set is filled with fun, lively entertainment for both parents and kids. The video content is ingenious – funky stop animation, puppets, and simple cutouts make a high visual impact. As with their adult albums, these songs are well crafted. Showcasing quick witty lyrics and an upbeat rhythm – they are both educational and entertaining; a win-win for everyone. Round out your listening experience and pair with companion albums Here Come the ABCs, which feature great songs such as “QU” and “LMNO” or Here Comes Science’s “Meet the Elements” and “Why Does the Sun Shine?” some of my personal favorites!

Reviewed by: Katharine Quinn, SJSU MLIS Student

If you liked this CD, you may like: Catch the Moon by Lisa Loeb, You Are My Little Bird by Elizabeth Mitchell or Jazz for Kids: Sing Clap Wiggle & Shake by various artists

Other albums by They Might Be Giants: Bed, Bed, Bed, Here Come the ABCs, Here Comes Science, and No!

I’m All Ears: Sing into Reading

Fran Avni (1999), 46:39 minutes

Audience: All ages

Format: CD

Twenty-three songs feature rhythmic beats and lyrics that teach children early literacy skills. Each song helps children develop reading readiness skills. For example rhyming techniques are used in “Name Game” (rhyme recognition) and “Good for You” (rhyme completion). Alliteration is featured in numerous songs including “Chugga choo choo,” “Lily,” and “One Wet Windy Wednesday.” Phonemic awareness (sound deletion, isolation, and blending) is highlighted in several songs such as “Pineapple,” “Topsy Turvy” and “Fiddle Around with the Middle Sound.” This CD makes learning educational and fun at the same time!

Reviewed by: Katharine Quinn, SJSU MLIS Student

If you liked this CD, you may like: Singing Sounds: Songs for Learning Early Speech Sounds

Other CDs by this artist: Little Ears: 27 Songs for Reading Readiness and Tuning Into Nature-Songs and Activities about the Earth