School Library Journal Review
K-Gr 5Layout, design, illustrations, and descriptive verses blend in perfect harmony to give voice to the unique sounds of 10 orchestral instruments. Readers meet the ``Fine FRENCH HORN, its valves all oiled/Bright and brassy, loops all coiled,'' and the ``FLUTE that sends our soul a-shiver;/ FLUTE, that slender, silver sliver.'' One by one as the numbers progress from ONE TROMBONE playing SOLO all the way up to ``A CHAMBER GROUP of TEN,'' the excitement, motion, and sounds increase. Priceman's amusing watercolors present an inspired assortment of characters who pose, prance, and float across the page and stage, their seeming wildness giving form to each instrument's function, as their exaggerated features and elongated limbs give them a sophisticated wit and elegant air. The rich, swirling background colors change with each double-page spread. As the numbers of players grow, the proscenium and curtain become more and more of a presence until viewers find themselves facing the concert group, and then onstage behind the musicians, who are facing the audience, taking a bow. A delight for music classes as well as a great introduction to the concert hall, this title will surely be met with applause.Jane Marino, Scarsdale Public Library, NY (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Publisher's Weekly Review
This debut book by author Moss, As kids today would say is boss. Its clever, jazzy verse presents (In language that is never dense) A helpful intro to each orchestra instrument - How some are alike, but rather more are different. He starts with the trombone's "mournful moan," Playing solo (i.e., alone); Then adds a trumpet, French horn and cello-All sounding forth a signature "hello." Each musical portrait (in quatrains) abounds With perfectly chosen, alliterative sounds. Thus the flute, notes Moss, "sends our soul a-shiver; Flute, that slender silver sliver." And Priceman's zany art's just right, With loose-limbed figures taking flight Around each spread in garb bizarre-As if proving how funky musicians are. With every new instrument joining the throng Of diligent players practicing song, Moss incorporates numbers and stops only when His team finally reaches a "chamber group of ten." So the book can be used as a counting tool (A great way to perk up a dull day at school): But it really works best, it's easy to see, As a deft means of meeting the symphony. So plentiful praise to this finely matched pair, Whose pictures and words show unusual flair. Ages 4-8. (Apr.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Horn Book Review
Pleasantly alliterative verse effectively introduces the sound and soul of ten orchestral instruments. The subtle counting game simultaneously acquaints listeners with numerical groupings from 'solo' through the obscure 'nonet' and encourages appreciation for the orchestra. Breezy, colorful gouache illustrations capture the nuances of instrument and rhyme. From HORN BOOK 1995, (c) Copyright 2010. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Kirkus Review
A trombone pulls a long note, to which is added the bite of a trumpet, then the downdraft of a French horn--a solo becomes a duo becomes a trio--and so on until a complete chamber group of ten (one more than a nonet) is assembled. This introduction to the members of the orchestra doubles as a counting book and triples as a cultivated piece of good fun. In his first book, Moss brings a love to classical music that spills from each page: readers' feet will tap to the beat of his verse, and they will hear the throb of horns. And though touched everywhere by whimsy, the book conveys the sense of magic that surrounds an orchestral performance. Priceman's bright gouache concoctions suggest Toulouse-Lautrec in cartoon mode. With nimble wit, she humanizes the musicians, taking away the distance that formal attire, serious purpose, and intense concentration can create. Her characters crackle across the spreads; flamboyant, quick renderings make the instruments come alive, fitting hand in glove with the zippy verse. Put this spirited production in front of readers before their next young people's concert, and show them just what happens after The Philharmonic Gets Dressed (Harper & Row, 1982). (Picture book. 4-10)
Booklist Review
Ages 6-8. In a fine preemptive strike, this zesty introduction to the orchestra could open young minds to the pleasures of classical music. Graceful rhyming couplets present 10 instruments and their characteristics: "With mournful moan and silken tone, / Itself alone comes ONE TROMBONE. / Gliding, sliding, high notes go low; / ONE TROMBONE is playing SOLO." Next the trumpet joins the trombone to make a duo, and then a French horn makes it a trio. In the process of adding instruments, the book teaches the names of musical groups up to a chamber group of 10 as well as the categories into which the instruments fall: strings, reeds, and brasses. Amazingly, Moss conveys this encyclopedic information while keeping the poem streamlined and peppy. Priceman's sprightly, sunny hued gouache paintings should take a bow, too. The symphony she portrays is hardly stiff: her musicians are characters--eccentric nonconformists who obviously love the music they are making. Superb in both concept and execution, this title is a sound addition to any collection. --Julie Yates Walton
