Go In and Out the Window: An Illustrated Songbook For Children

by Dan Fox (Editor, Music Arranger)

Published in Association with the Metropolitan Museum of Art

Genres: Music, Childrens, Art, Poetry, History, Picture Books, The United States Of America

144 pages, Hardcover

Published November 15, 1987

Reviews

[Hilary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a beautiful book that contains 61 well chosen folk songs and nursery rhymes with accompanying art work from The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.

Each song has a simple score for the piano and chords for the guitar. There's an interesting note about each song, the song's history, or where it comes. Each song is accompanied with a work of art which is shown in colour on a full page often with a close up detail or other related object from the museum and a paragraph of information about the painting or artwork.

Songs will probably be more familiar to US readers such as All the Pretty Horses, Nobody Knows the Trouble I've Seen, and several about America but plenty of favourites from the UK too, Green Grow the Rushes O, Scarborough Fair, The Mulberry Bush, and Did You Ever See a Lassie....

There are some interesting art works chosen, paintings, carvings, ceramics and textiles from well known artists such as Bruegel, Renoir, Klimt and Degas and plenty by lesser known artists, folk artists and historical unknown works. The art has been really well chosen and have lots of interest to children and adults alike, lots of animals, families, homes and everyday life are featured, making this relatable. It was good to see some female artists included and work from a wide range of cultures and points in time.

I particularly liked a Japanese inro, a small inlaid medicine box that had a design of pretty horses. A Bruegel painting of the harvesters with so much to look at. A ceramic Egyptian mouse dating to nearly 2000 BC. A beautiful painting of the Wisconsin landscape by John Steuart Curry and a wintery scene of children playing outside in the snow by Grandma Moses.

Several non piano playing adults have looked through this and found it very enjoyable, this would have been a favourite when my daughter was little and was learning to play. This was a lucky find in a charity shop, I really hope it's still in print and available to buy from this museum today, I certainly haven't seen anything as nice for sale in a museum shop.

[Keith · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the books that my children grew up with and that they and I really enjoyed. The songs, mostly traditional nursery rhymes, children's songs, and folk songs, have music to accompany them and also have beautiful illustrations from the collections of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. It's a great book to read and sing through with the kids, and one for them to enjoy when they can read & sing on their own. Both of my kids are talented musicians and artists, so maybe this book had an influence on them.

[Mary Ellen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a beautiful slim hardcover book containing the words and short musical scores of timeless children's nursery rhymes and folk songs illustrated with art works thoughtfully chosen from collections in the New York Metropolitan Museum of Art. It isn't so much a children's book as much as a book for adults to read, sing, play or look at with children. It was like our coffee table book for the piano. When it was opened, it never failed to delight.

[Arlene S]

Traditional children's songs paired thematically with illustrations from the Metropolitan Museum of Art. ( Each one includes a short commentary explainning a little about the song and the art)

[Stella Schaefer-Brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a beautiful song book with lovely illustrations. Makes me wish I played guitar!

[Peggy Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

This beautiful book is a combination of artwork and folksongs. I cannot believe how much my youngest son, age 3, loves this book! He loves to look at the pictures while I sing the songs - and it is a wonderful collection of American folk songs: America the Beautiful; Oh Susanna; Clementine; Hush Little Baby; Here We Go Round the Mulberry Bush; Greensleeves; Home On the Range; I've Been Working On the Railroad; Yankee Doodle Dandee; and so many more.

[Jamie Shew · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful book given to us as a gift when Jake was born. Not only are the pictures, which are pulled from works from museums, beautiful the songs are classics. When you first get this book, you will question if your children will be interested in "old" songs like Clementine. Our kids love to explore and sing songs from this book and you will find yourself transported back to a different, simpler era. A great book for your childrens library.

[Susan]

Has music - simple chords and lyrics - plus beautiful illustrations.

[Jobiska (Cindy) · Rating 5 out of 5]

How classy can you get...children's songs illustrated by art from the Metropolitan Museum collection. Gorgeous.

[Catherine Woodman · Rating 4 out of 5]

my favorite source of the classic songs of my youth--great illustrations too--was on the piano for a decade at our house