Orkiestra

The members of this illustrated orchestra play ‘alliterative’ instruments, creating a creative word-play that runs through the pages of the story. The musical sound of each word draws the reader into an onomatopoeic game of sounds and learning. This whimsical approach encourages young readers to mimic stimulating sounds and even to reach for some of the instruments highlighted in the bold illustrations: cymbals and drums – or really any music-making object we might find on hand. This book also encourages young people to recognise the audio-sphere around us – all the sounds we hear on an everyday basis. It also introduces a valuable store of vocabulary set up around musical education and musicians. The simplicity and musicality of the succinct sentences make it easy for young readers to repeat and remember novel concepts – and even to improve their diction, as a speech exercise of sorts. The illustration style is eye-catching, based on bold black outlines that create scenes of dramatic musical flair, full of contrasting colours and set against a white background. The effect is a playful, joyful and dynamic musical adventure that can be stretched like an accordion thanks to its child-friendly format. A wonderful way to engage young readers in early musical education through poetry and play!