PreS-Gr 2—If Lloyd Moss's Zin! Zin! Zin!: A Violin met kawaii, a term that describes a Japanese-style aesthetic that
is cute and childlike, this would be the silly, informative result. Music education is not part of every school, but this
glimpse should be on every shelf.

Here is why I only gave this book two stars: There is way too much text.

It is marketed as a fictional book for fans of Jory John and Christian Robinson. For one thing, those are two very different authors and illustrators. Next of all, the book more encourages the history of certain instruments that, while fascinating, makes this book fall into the non-fiction category. I was hoping to say it would work well for storytime. But nope. ( )

Silly and so cute, this introduction to band instruments has a funny plot. The girl who wants to play drums keeps interrupting the other kids to make loud noises...until she meets a tuba. ( )

"It's time! Are you excited? I bet you are, because today you are joining...THE BAND!" Friendly band director Mr. V serves as narrator, claiming that there is a perfect instrument for everyone - "Let's find yours!" A clump of excited children cluster together with smiles and instruments, but the girl with drumsticks has the biggest smile. Each pair of double page spreads fits a pattern: first, a new instrument is introduced, but when Mr. V invites a kid to demonstrate its sound, enthusiastic Felicity bangs on her drum instead. In a surprise twist at the end, when it's finally Felicity's turn to demonstrate the drums, it turns out she has fallen in love with the tuba instead, whose WHOMP WHOMP WHOMP overpowers even the BOOM BOOM BOOM of the drums.

The information on various musical instruments is excellent, and it's presented in bite-size nuggets spread over and around each page spread; but it's the art that takes this book over the top, including the typography, and the way that sound is presented visually: speech bubbles and other shapes filled with sheet music pour forth from instruments, and jagged, colorful zig-zags abound. A total delight.

Back matter includes "about the band": "the band members in this book were inspired by real musicians," from Sidney Bechet (clarinet) to Carol Jantsch (tuba).

*
Re-read several times, including for book club February 2022 ( )

I almost died reading this because it's not only a delight, it's all too accurate. Not only is this book really informative, full of language that's accessible and short-and-sweet enough to make sense to kids, it's got a goofy subplot with Felicity and her band teacher (a subplot that plays out ALL the time in elementary and junior high band rooms!). Took me back to my college years as a music ed major. The artwork is phenomenal and full of zest, just like the band director, and I adored the plot twist at the end. I am lowkey obsessed. ( )