Music Everywhere! (Global Fund for Children Books)

Children around the world speak different languages and come from diverse backgrounds, but most of them share an understanding of the power of music. Three authors collaborate here to present joyful, colorful, photographs of children from various countries, dancing, singing, and playing instruments. 

A medley perfectly tuned.

The title conveys this book's straightforward message: music is a universal pleasure, everywhere from Canada to Timor-Leste. Proof is demonstrated by a simple yet energetic running text and large photos of children exuberantly making and enjoying music worldwide. Direct captions impart information uncondescendingly: Playing a traditional Andean zampona. PERU. A world map and suggestions for homemade musical instruments are included. 

K-Gr 2--This lovely picture book from the Global Fund for Children shows children from around the world enjoying music. An interesting variety of instruments are on display, some of which are familiar, such as the violin, while others are indigenous to a country, such as the qeej from Laos. The children's faces are quite expressive and filled with joy, and younger readers will enjoy poring over these appealing images. Short captions printed on each photo include the name of the instrument or activity and the country of origin. At the end, readers will find a world map, which highlights the countries mentioned. The title also contains a glossary and a section suggesting how readers can make their own musical instruments as well as additional ways to enjoy music. A suitable purchase for most children's libraries, this book would work well for a "beginning facts" section.--Elaine Lesh Morgan, formerly at Multnomah County Library, Portland, OR

Copyright 2014 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

This bifurcated text makes a somewhat fragmented readaloud, but this is likely to get far more use as a browsing book, and children will love poring over the photographs of international music-makers. A two-page map of the world identifies featured countries and reiterates the equitable distribution of the book's focus; additional supplemental materials include several pages of ideas on how to enjoy music and a glossary of terms from the text.
-The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books