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Music Class Today!
Hooray!
Music class is underway!
As soon as the teacher starts to play his guitar and sing, the kids are whirling and twirling and having a blast. But for one hesitant little music maker, it is all a bit overwhelming at first. With energetic and bright illustrations, this reassuring story about the courage it sometimes takes to try something new will resonate with children everywhere.
From David Weinstone , the creator of the wildly popular Music for Aardvarks program, and the pitch-perfect Vin Vogel comes this infectious celebration of music class that will make you want to sing and dance with your own little ones!
Music class is underway!
As soon as the teacher starts to play his guitar and sing, the kids are whirling and twirling and having a blast. But for one hesitant little music maker, it is all a bit overwhelming at first. With energetic and bright illustrations, this reassuring story about the courage it sometimes takes to try something new will resonate with children everywhere.
From David Weinstone , the creator of the wildly popular Music for Aardvarks program, and the pitch-perfect Vin Vogel comes this infectious celebration of music class that will make you want to sing and dance with your own little ones!
40 pages, Hardcover
First published September 15, 2015
70 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 58 reviews
September 16, 2015
This book was a delightful read. The rhyme scheme and rhythm did a great job of driving the text, and considering that I was definitely the sort of exceedingly-introverted kid that rarely ever felt capable of participating in class (and was often coerced/forced by parents and teachers to do so anyway), I loved the message from the teacher to the shyer kid in class: that he was welcome to participate whenever he felt comfortable doing so, and not before.
What really sold me on this one, though, was Vin Vogel's illustrations. I've greatly enjoyed his style since Maddi's Fridge; I like that it can be understated while still expressive and vibrant. And he always clearly tries to present diverse characters, it warms my little heart in the veritable sea of whiteness that picture books can be. That in addition to the unstigmatized depiction of one of the moms breastfeeding, while it squicked out my inner tokophobe, was a big plus for my inner feminist.
All in all, I was pleased with this one, and will definitely keep it in mind for my customers looking for something to encourage their kids not to be afraid of social situations.
What really sold me on this one, though, was Vin Vogel's illustrations. I've greatly enjoyed his style since Maddi's Fridge; I like that it can be understated while still expressive and vibrant. And he always clearly tries to present diverse characters, it warms my little heart in the veritable sea of whiteness that picture books can be. That in addition to the unstigmatized depiction of one of the moms breastfeeding, while it squicked out my inner tokophobe, was a big plus for my inner feminist.
All in all, I was pleased with this one, and will definitely keep it in mind for my customers looking for something to encourage their kids not to be afraid of social situations.
May 15, 2018
I really liked this one! I thought it perfectly captures the organized chaos of making music with tiny humans. My son goes to a music class, and I lead storytimes, so this book felt right up my alley. :)
January 5, 2023
Class is in session, and it’s music to these mini maestros’ ears. But not all the kids are eager to explore music-making; others enjoy class by actively listening. With a repeated message that the best time to make music is when you find your own, unique rhythm, this book is instrumental in introducing the ways we can move to music and how music moves us as well.
Check this book out at the Villa Park Public Library!
Check this book out at the Villa Park Public Library!
July 13, 2020
It takes courage to try something new! As soon as the teacher starts to sing and play his guitar, the class starts to come alive. However, for one student, it was a little overwhelming. Will this student have the courage to try something new?
Reviewed by: Debbie Hersh, Circulation, Vernon Area Public Library
Reviewed by: Debbie Hersh, Circulation, Vernon Area Public Library
March 29, 2019
We used this for one of our storytime programs at my library. It was a big hit. The text is very lyrical and has a nice repetition. I loved the emphasis on letting people join in on their own terms -- the music teacher in the book encourages one of his shy students to participate, but lets them know it's okay to hang back and test the waters. Really cute story.
June 21, 2023
Read to K-3rd graders for Summer Reading Program at the library
This rhyming book takes us through all the different activities that kids do during a music class--dancing, playing instruments, singing, etc. One little boy isn't sure about joining all of the others right away. The teacher lets him know that it's ok to sit back and observe and join when he's ready. It's reassuring to kids who need time before jumping into new experiences. The illustrations kept the kids engaged in the story.
This rhyming book takes us through all the different activities that kids do during a music class--dancing, playing instruments, singing, etc. One little boy isn't sure about joining all of the others right away. The teacher lets him know that it's ok to sit back and observe and join when he's ready. It's reassuring to kids who need time before jumping into new experiences. The illustrations kept the kids engaged in the story.
February 5, 2017
I loved this book! It had so much rhythm that I sang it rather than read it. I think kiddos would probably enjoy it, as well, especially if they got to play with some of the musical instruments talked about within its pages. Definitely feeling inspired to create a musical program based around this book.
March 3, 2024
The illustrations are stunning, each child is depicted as an unique personality, with its own character. It is interesting to turn the pages and, having chosen one child, see what he does on the next page and beyond.
As a parent of a toddler, I can say that everything is conveyed very accurately; we also go to music class every week.
As a parent of a toddler, I can say that everything is conveyed very accurately; we also go to music class every week.
February 14, 2017
Loved the exuberance and movement of the illustrations. So many fun things to look at and positive messages included. The song itself is nicely interactive and could be used in storytime. However, the art is what pushes this title into 5 stars.
January 31, 2020
Very cute pictures and a great story about overcoming nerves. It would be great if you could sing along or have an instrument to play. It's a little more forced when you just sing it. I like it but I don't love it.
February 28, 2025
In this fun rhyming story it is music class and one little boy is too shy to participate. For a while he just watches, and when he is assured he ventures into the group that’s having so much fun. Great illustrations.
June 6, 2017
Love!!!
June 27, 2017
A great book to encourage kids to take their time to jump into a class. Only when they feel ready. No rush.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 21, 2018
This story is for young children who are more timid and afraid of trying new things. The music teacher includes everyone at their own pace. Illustrations are fun and colorful!
April 19, 2018
I like it! With the way the words are all over the page, it looks like it might be a little challenging to read in a storytime with the book facing out, but it's doable, and it's a fun story.
May 20, 2018
Impressively accurate representation of a toddler music program!
June 8, 2018
Toddler Dance Party material.
June 21, 2018
This could be interactive if you followed along with using shaker eggs, scarves, etc., as they do in the story. Great rhyming text. Repetitive as well.
October 12, 2019
I’m giving this 5 stars because one spread portrays a Mom breastfeeding. I was sooooo happy to see that casually included in a kids book!
November 3, 2020
It is a good way to lead a music class
I liked the format and the content of the class. Poetry is great. Guitar is great also. It sounds like fun.
I liked the format and the content of the class. Poetry is great. Guitar is great also. It sounds like fun.
July 9, 2023
A favorite of ours - so fun to sing, and a book shy children can relate to.
February 9, 2024
Nothing splendid or outwardly wrong. Colorful illustrations of a style which I don’t admire. Rhyming. Repetition. Appreciated the shy student feature as this is quite common.
February 7, 2017
Music storytime
October 6, 2017
I've started a monthly kiwi-crate with my 5 year old granddaughter. Our first crate was all about music with supplies to make several musical instruments included. The lesson guide included a recommended reading list. Music Class Today! was on the list. I purchased a kindle edition which we read on my iPad pro. The story is a colorful, rollicking poem about a day at music class. It is fun and catchy and we have read the book over and over.
September 9, 2015
Young readers are assured of a toe-tapping, page-turning good time in MUSIC CLASS TODAY!, a new picture book from the hip creator of the toddler pop-culture sensation Music for Aardvarks and Other Mammals, David Weinstone. Weinstone’s interactive preschool music program has been joyfully translated into book form, capturing all the egg-shaking, scarf-tossing, stick-tapping excitement that little ones love.
As children gather eagerly for the start of music class, one young lad hangs back. Staying near his mother and clutching a cheery stuffed frog, he watches as the class begin to whirl, twirl, and dance along with the teacher’s song. Each child participates in his or her own way, whether jiggling, flopping or listening. Vogel perfectly captures all the energy and chaos of distractable little kids who yawn, sing, stretch, suck their fingers, or check their noses while jamming to the beat.
The narrator proceeds smoothly through the rhyming song/story, remaining calmly observant of the rolling eggs, flying shoes, and racing around pandemonium. His unmistakable goal is to reassure the young boy that he can join in when the moment is right. A gentle refrain “That’s all right, that’s okay. Whenever you’re ready, come on over and play,” punctuates the tale regularly.
As expected, the hesitant observer gradually warms to the idea of participating in the class. He smiles, stands up, dangle-dances his froggy to the music, then gradually picks up a pair of cymbals to join in a jubilant parade. “Everybody’s in the band. Hooray!” sings the teacher. After helping clean up the instruments and sing goodbye, the little music-maker and his frog are reluctant to leave and eager to return.
maker and his frog are reluctant to leave and eager to return.
Vogel’s illustrations are dazzling and fun, endowing each child with a unique personality and vibrant striped or polka-dotted outfits with fabulous colorful socks. My favorite kid had a single front tooth and sported a green googly-eyed dinosaur ushanka.
Paired with a free download of Weinstone’s musical version of the song, the tale’s catchy plink-plunk beat is absolutely infectious. The publisher offers an activity kit (PDF) with supplemental activities including a coloring page, word match, iron-on decal, and directions for making simple instruments from recycled materials. MUSIC CLASS TODAY! is sweet, simple musical fun for the littlest of book and music lovers!
As children gather eagerly for the start of music class, one young lad hangs back. Staying near his mother and clutching a cheery stuffed frog, he watches as the class begin to whirl, twirl, and dance along with the teacher’s song. Each child participates in his or her own way, whether jiggling, flopping or listening. Vogel perfectly captures all the energy and chaos of distractable little kids who yawn, sing, stretch, suck their fingers, or check their noses while jamming to the beat.
The narrator proceeds smoothly through the rhyming song/story, remaining calmly observant of the rolling eggs, flying shoes, and racing around pandemonium. His unmistakable goal is to reassure the young boy that he can join in when the moment is right. A gentle refrain “That’s all right, that’s okay. Whenever you’re ready, come on over and play,” punctuates the tale regularly.
As expected, the hesitant observer gradually warms to the idea of participating in the class. He smiles, stands up, dangle-dances his froggy to the music, then gradually picks up a pair of cymbals to join in a jubilant parade. “Everybody’s in the band. Hooray!” sings the teacher. After helping clean up the instruments and sing goodbye, the little music-maker and his frog are reluctant to leave and eager to return.
maker and his frog are reluctant to leave and eager to return.
Vogel’s illustrations are dazzling and fun, endowing each child with a unique personality and vibrant striped or polka-dotted outfits with fabulous colorful socks. My favorite kid had a single front tooth and sported a green googly-eyed dinosaur ushanka.
Paired with a free download of Weinstone’s musical version of the song, the tale’s catchy plink-plunk beat is absolutely infectious. The publisher offers an activity kit (PDF) with supplemental activities including a coloring page, word match, iron-on decal, and directions for making simple instruments from recycled materials. MUSIC CLASS TODAY! is sweet, simple musical fun for the littlest of book and music lovers!
March 12, 2016
Music teachers might enjoy sharing this one with their charges since it gently encourages youngsters to join in singing, dancing, and playing whenever they're ready. The music teacher is friendly, kind, and patient, and the rhyming text welcomes everyone to be a part of the little band. As often happens, one little boy is a bit anxious about all the activities, and he prefers to stay on the sidelines with his stuffed frog for some time. Of course, he eventually decides to participate. The illustrations feature loud, rambunctious children who are expressing themselves with music while the music teacher just keeps strumming his guitar. I smiled at this one since I wondered who was keeping those young musicians and their high spirits under control or what it might be like for the teacher or parent who came after the class and tried to introduce another activity. WOW! There's lots of energy here, but a rather predictable storyline.
October 29, 2015
It's a picture book directly addressing music...I wanted to like it more. Nice to hear the song that goes along with the text, though the tempo is rather fast and the rhythm and rhyme scheme wasn't always the most solid. I liked that the class was diverse (ultra-bonus points for an illustration of a breast-feeding momma) (but also, seriously? you're still gonna make the white people the main characters? this seems like diversity-as-a-backdrop), but I was also confused as to why a bunch of parents were sometimes there and sometimes not (except for the legs of the shy boy's mom, which were more consistently there...did the rest of the parents take coffee breaks or something?).
August 28, 2016
A story that celebrates and respects introverts. A little boy goes to music class with his mom, and although he seems to want to join in all of the musical activities, he just isn't ready. His music teacher is reassuring as he repeats after each activity "That's all right, that's okay. Whenever you're ready, come on over and play." Readers who have felt quite not ready to jump into an activity with their friends will feel understood and comforted; readers who want their introvert buddies to come play may consider giving their buddy a chance and even reassure them with "That's all right, that's okay. Whenever you're ready, come on over and play."
October 6, 2015
This is a charming read-aloud (or sing-along!) for little kids. For musically-inclined presenters, guitar tabs are included. For the rest of us, there are directions for a music download. The text itself has such a wonderfully clear beat, though, that you may find it unnecessary. I adore the illustrations full of little kids dancing around and goofing off, against a minimal background that keeps things from feeling cluttered. There's plenty for the little-ones to see and discover as they flip through, even if they're not at a reading age yet.
March 22, 2016
This is a great title depicting who a music teacher teaches a music class that includes a reluctant preschooler who wants to stay with Mom. There are several positives in this title: illustrations show various ethnic groups, a good teaching role model and this title could be used to illustrate for preschool teachers as well as librarians doing storytime how a good group experience is facilitated.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 58 reviews