This Magical, Musical Night

by Rhonda Gowler Greene, James Rey Sanchez (Illustrations)

"A symphony soars in rhyming couplets.There are many other introductions-to-the-orchestra titles out there, but few have such charm. Pleasing to the eye and ear. " -Kirkus Reviews, STARRED REVIEW

"Like a 21st-century update of Lloyd Moss's virtuoso Zin! Zin! Zin! A Violin, this really is a magical, musical book." - School Library Journal , STARRED REVIEW

Best Picture Books of 2021-- School Library Journal

Music! Music! Oh, how grand! A language we all understand.
Get swept away by the musical performance of a lifetime as, one by one, each instrument of the symphony orchestra shows off their skills!

Follow along as the symphony orchestra's various instruments are introduced. From violin to trumpet, flute to trombone, each plays its part, contributing to a grand and mystifying performance. These magical instruments will transport you in a way only music can. Soar with the strings, float away with the woodwinds, and play in a percussion thunderstorm! Music can take us anywhere, so celebrate and learn about all the instruments of the orchestra and the music that unites us.

Genres: Picture Books, Music, Childrens, Storytime, Juvenile

32 pages, Hardcover

Published September 7, 2021

Reviews

[Jon Nakapalau · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great introduction to all the instruments in an orchestra. Vivid and bold illustrations add to this colorful and dynamic presentation - a book to read with a small child before you take them to see their first orchestral presentation. I really like books like this because it helps to 'demystify' a subject that may be overwhelming at first.

[Viviane Elbee · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the best books I have read about orchestras and symphonies - the rhyming and rhythmic text uses many different music vocabulary words - like harmonic, crescendo, diminuendo, symphony and introduces many of the orchestra's instruments, from the oboe, harp, violin, viola, cello, double basses, french horns, trumpets, tubas, clarinets, flutes, piccolo, English horn, xylophone, cymbals, timpani etc... It definitely seems like a magical, musical treat for the two young children (in the illustrations) who are perhaps attending their very first symphony orchestra concert.

Perfect for music lovers and kids who want to play instruments or who are taking music lessons.

[Andrew · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoy the storm and explosion of color and sound as you meet every musician and instrument in the orchestra told through couplet poetry.
The 5-star illustrations by James Rey Sanchez pull you in...into a Disney-esque Fantasia adventure of epic proportions!

[Tara · Rating 5 out of 5]

This will be added to my Preschool storytime list. I will try to enhance the experience by providing music that can highlight the instruments being mentioned. This is cheerful picture book akin to Benjamin Britten's Young Person's Guide to the Orchestra, and Lloyd Moss' Zin! Zin! Zin! A Violin! can be used to introduce orchestral instruments to 3-5 year olds.

[Alissa Tsaparikos · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sanchez's illustrations are enchanting, but I wasn't as engaged with the narrative.

[Beverly · Rating 4 out of 5]

A light-hearted, poetic introduction to the orchestra. The book introduces only some of the instruments, not all. The illustrations are bouncy and lively.

[Cheryl Hansen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This Magical, Musical Night written by Rhonda Gowler Greene and illustrated by James Ray Sanchez is a poem shared throughout a beautiful picture book. I found this book as I was searching on Kirkus for a good children’s poetry book. This had a starred review from Kirkus Reviews and School Library Journal, as well as being named one of the Best Pictures Books of 2021 from School Library Journal. This book is recommended for students preschool through third grade or ages 4-8.

This Magical, Musical Night is a story written in couplets that introduces all the sounds and sections of the orchestra, as well as describes the feeling of what it would be like to attend one of these incredible concerts. As the story begins, it shows the kids getting settled with their dad in the audience, the excitement shining through the expressions on their faces, showing they are ready for this experience. Once the instruments are tuned, the conductor takes the stage, and the opening applause has quieted, it’s time for the magic to begin. As the instruments “SING” each section of instruments is introduced with descriptions of the lovely sounds they bring to the beautiful music. From the “angelic” strings to the “blowing” and “buzzing” of the brass section, then onto the flowing high pitched sounds of the woodwinds to the thunderous sounds of the percussion, only to be calmed by the peaceful piano. How incredible it is to have something such as music to have the power to captivate the audience, “make our souls much lighter,” and leave us wanting more.

Since I love music, I was drawn to this book immediately, and connected right along with the characters when they got to the part where they knew it was ending, and felt it was “too soon.” The pairing of the rhythmic text and the two-page spread of the colorful, cartoon style drawings, brings the performance to life and allows the reader to almost feel like they are there experiencing it with the characters. I loved the vibrant colors in contrast to the dark background on the pages when the conductor first starts the orchestra. That burst of color and the capitalized letters spelling out SING with the musical notes bouncing around the pages, illustrate the magic that happens when all these instruments come together as one. I also really loved the pages with the percussion, where Greene relates them to a storm with the booming of the timpanis, the crashing of the cymbals, and the rain-like plopping of the xylophone. The use of onomatopoeia with the added detail of the storm clouds, lightning bolts, and raindrops allows the reader to truly understand what all those instruments sound like.

The book could definitely be used to introduce the different instruments and classical music terms that are used throughout the story and included in the glossary at the end, especially for students that have not learned about these before. It would be great to have sound samples to go along with the book so the students can hear the actual sound to see if they agree with how the author described them. This can also be used to discuss word choice and how figurative language, such as alliteration and onomatopoeia, used alongside vivid verbs and adjectives can bring the words to life. From here the students could do their own writing activity where they have to “show” what is happening with their word choice instead of telling the reader.

[Toni · Rating 5 out of 5]

Come to think of it, there isn't a single orchestra picture book I've enjoyed... until now. Aside from the glamorous, lively illustrations, what makes this book pure magic is its obvious relationship to music. It feels like a Beethoven or Bach or Berlioz or Britten, carries within its poetic structure affinities for the language of music--the same language spoken so well by Tchaikovsky and Rachmaninoff alike.

I cannot more highly recommend this exquisite book. It'll make you reach for your Spotify app, and the Scott Joplin music awaiting you there.

[Jo Oehrlein · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good to read with Zin! Zin! Zin! A Violin.
Takes a concert from beginning (Tune A) to the end.
Introduces all the main instruments (and families) and some musical terms.

Rhyming text.

[Margaux · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful illustration of music. I loved seeing what I used to picture in my head: vibrant colors and locales to represent feeling and story in music. Each musician is different from the other, with varying genders and races represented beautifully.

[Debbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great illustrations and matching text. It would be a great introduction to read to a child before going to the orchestra for the first time. An orchestra performance is like a play and the instruments are the characters. They all have a different personality.

[Kate · Rating 3 out of 5]

Diverse cast of musicians, humor sprinkled throughout the instrument introductions, classical terms at the end. The illustrations are a little too animation style for me. Overall a fun introduction to orchestral instruments.

[Marcie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like this introduction to the instruments in an orchestra. Somehow I got the feelings the illustrations could become annimations with the orchestra playing in the background. Nice to pair with other instrument books. Music teachers will probably love this.

[Alyssa Gudenburr · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent book that celebrates the orchestra and music. I really enjoyed the diversity in age, gender, and race of all the different musicians. This would make an excellent read aloud for a music class.

[Goshen PL Childrens · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read for CuTieS book club October 24, 2022
Theme: Music Stories

This was a great book to introduce some instruments and musical terms to the kids. And the kids always love to point out the rhyme scheme in books!

[Kaela McCorkle · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my absolute favorites. The book is a piece of art in both language and pictures. We loved reading it over and over, it felt like it carried me through a symphony. Hands down I recommend reading again and again.

[Andréa]

Note: I accessed a digital review copy of this book through Edelweiss.

[Carrie Jacobs · Rating 4 out of 5]

My kiddos loved talking about the different instruments and learning about new ones.

[Syntha Green · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautifully illustrated

[Michelle Gray · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved not only the way the words danced across the pages but the vibrant, almost animated feeling illustrations.

[Sarah Threlkeld · Rating 4 out of 5]

Perfect read aloud for music teachers.

[Cara Byrne · Rating 3 out of 5]

A 2022 Caldecott candidate

[Jeimy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute book to introduce children to the instruments in a symphony. The text is too simple, but the illustrations elevate this book.

[Shaundell Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

This children's picture book shows the sections of the orchestra, the instruments that compose it, and teaches musical vocabulary as well.

School Library Journal Top Children's Pick for 2021.

[Rebecca Caufman · Rating 3 out of 5]

Filled with names of instruments, sounds, and feelings. Would be excellent for any musician or music teacher.

[Y.Poston]

such a beautiful tribute to orchestra music!
lovely illustrations filled with movement

[Abby Johnson]

A standard introduction to the instruments in an orchestra, notable for a very diverse cast of musicians portrayed in the illustrations.

[Miss Sarah · Rating 2 out of 5]

A symphony of musical terms including many about tempo and speed of music as instruments are introduced in this colorful book. preschool and up

[Lillian Slater · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great introduction to musical instruments for your little one!

[Steena Hernandez · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book! It is magical, in every sense with bold, beautiful illustrations and rhyming musical text. I shared this book at an online event, and it’s just so much fun to share amazing books!