
Reach for this book when your child starts turning every surface into a drum or humming along to the radio with infectious curiosity. It is the perfect choice for introducing the vast, beautiful world of music beyond just catchy nursery rhymes. The book serves as a rhythmic tour of musical genres, instruments, and the legendary figures who shaped them, from the soaring heights of opera to the smooth cool of jazz. Through Lloyd Moss's lyrical rhyming text and the soft, expressive illustrations, children are invited to see music not just as a sound, but as an emotional experience and a form of creative expression. It is a wonderful tool for expanding a young child's vocabulary and fostering a lifelong appreciation for the arts. Whether you are preparing for a first concert or simply nurturing a budding interest in sounds, this book celebrates the joy that music brings to every corner of life.
None. The book is entirely secular and celebratory in nature, focusing on the aesthetic and emotional joy of the arts.
A 4 or 5-year-old who is constantly making noise and needs to see that their 'noise' is actually the beginning of a beautiful art form. It is also perfect for a child about to attend their first live musical performance or start music lessons.
Your experience helps other parents find the right book.
Sign in to write a reviewThis book can be read cold. Parents might want to have a way to play some of the music mentioned (like Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue) to provide a multi-sensory experience. A parent might reach for this after seeing their child captivated by a street musician, a parade, or a specific song on the radio, or perhaps when a child asks 'What is that?' about a specific instrument.
Younger children (age 3) will be drawn to the rhythm of the text and the colors of the gouache illustrations. Older children (ages 6 to 7) will begin to grasp the specific terminology and may show interest in the historical figures mentioned.
Unlike many music books for children that focus only on instruments, 'Music Is' connects the technical side of music to the human emotional experience and the historical figures behind the art, all through a sophisticated yet accessible poetic structure.
This is a lyrical concept book that serves as an introductory primer to the world of music. Through rhyming couplets, it explores various instruments like the violin and trumpet, introduces musical concepts like tempo and harmony, and pays tribute to legendary composers and performers including Verdi and Gershwin. It emphasizes the diversity of musical expression across cultures and styles.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.