
A parent might reach for this book when their child expresses a budding interest in music or art, asking how songs are made or why paintings look so different from each other. This dual-sided book offers a delightful journey through the history of Western music on one side and Western painting on the other, from ancient origins to more modern forms. It nurtures curiosity and creativity by explaining complex concepts in a simple, engaging way. Ideal for ages 8 to 12, it provides a foundational vocabulary and a historical timeline that can deepen a child's appreciation for the arts, making it a perfect companion for museum visits or starting music lessons.
The primary issue is a significant cultural content gap. Published in 1980, the book presents a purely Eurocentric history of both music and painting, with no mention of artistic traditions from Africa, Asia, the Americas, or other parts of the world. There is no religious agenda; it is a secular historical account. Some classical paintings may feature mild, artistic nudity (e.g., Renaissance figures), but it is non-sexualized and presented in a historical context.
Your experience helps other parents find the right book.
Sign in to write a reviewThe ideal reader is an 8 to 12 year old who has just started music lessons, loves to draw, or is generally inquisitive about history and how things came to be. It's perfect for a child who enjoys encyclopedic, fact-filled books but appreciates a narrative flow that connects the dots over time. It can also serve as a great preparatory or follow-up book for a family trip to an art museum or symphony.
Parents should be prepared to contextualize the book's Eurocentric focus. It would be beneficial to have a conversation beforehand, saying something like, "This book tells a fascinating story about art and music from Europe. There are many other amazing traditions from all over the world that we can explore together next." A quick preview of the painting section for any artistic nudity is also advisable, depending on family comfort levels. A parent might seek this out after their child asks, "How do they make the music in movies?" or "Who was the first person to paint a picture?" or after expressing a desire to learn an instrument or become an artist. It's a response to a child's natural curiosity about the creative world.
A younger child (8-9) will primarily engage with the detailed illustrations, grasping big concepts like "art and music have changed over a long time". They will enjoy spotting different instruments and art styles. An older child (10-12) will be able to follow the historical timeline more closely, understand the evolution of styles (e.g., Baroque to Romantic), and absorb the specific vocabulary (sonata, fresco, perspective), potentially connecting it to school history lessons.
Its primary differentiator is the clever "two books in one" flip-over design. Its charming, dense, hand-drawn illustration style is also characteristic of 1980s Usborne publishing and stands apart from modern, photograph-heavy non-fiction for children. It weaves history into a story of progress and innovation, which is more engaging than a simple encyclopedia of facts.
This is a non-fiction book with a unique, two-sided format. One side, "The Story of Music", traces the history of Western music from primitive instruments and sounds, through the development of notation, early composers, the birth of the orchestra, and famous figures like Bach and Beethoven. The other side, "The Story of Painting", follows a similar chronological path for Western art, beginning with cave paintings and moving through Egyptian, Greek, and Roman art, the Renaissance, and up to Impressionism and modern art. It is heavily illustrated in the classic Usborne style of the 1980s.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.