Publishers Weekly - Publisher's Weekly
Fans of Stellaluna, Cannon's exceptional debut book, will approach her second with high expectationsand those will be met. Carefully crafted prose and stunning art shape a story that delicately spans the fictional and real, at the same time delivering a message worthy of reflection. Curious about what lies beyond his Family Cave, Trupp, a cat-like creature with snow-white fur and ice-blue eyes, walks for days until he approaches "people-dwellings." The peace-loving Fuzzhead borrows clothing from a scarecrow so humans won't notice his odd appearance and, accompanied by a raven, heads for a city. No one on the bustling streets pays any attention to Trupp until he meets a homeless woman named Bernice, who removes a piece of broken glass from his foot and takes him to a safer part of town. Equally affecting as her text, Cannon's poignantly detailed acrylic and pencil art underscores the contrasts between Trupp's primitive homeland and the gritty, graffiti-scarred city; and between his ethereal presence and the eccentric, gaudy appearance of Bernice, who keeps half a dozen toothbrushes tucked into her woolen cap. As the new friends settle down to sleep in the park, Bernice's wise words expose the heart of the story: "Funny, isn't it? I wear all this bright stuff to keep from feeling invisible. When people stare at me, it helps me know I'm here. But Trupp puts on clothes so he will disappear." Cannon says so much so simply. Ages 4-8. (Apr.)
Children's Literature - Dr. Judy Rowen
Lilting, rhyming text arcs across each page of brilliantly hued illustrations. This book is deceptively simple; it covers a quick introduction to musical instruments, serves as a counting book, and also teaches the words for groups of musicians (duo through nonet). The author's ear for music is evident in his crisp rhyme and meter; the poetry is never forced but always fun. The drawings are reminiscent of the New Yorker magazine. A Caldecott Honor book.
Children's Literature - Jan Lieberman
An upbeat, rhythmical introduction to the instruments of the orchestra. Beginning with the trombone alone, each instrument is presented in rhyme. Add one more, it's a duo, a trio next, a quartet, until there is a chamber group of 10. The sounds of the orchestra are poetically described: "The strings all soar/ the reeds implore/ the brasses roar with notes galore/ It's music that we all adore..." Illustrations swing and sway with a jaunty array of musicians and instruments.
School Library Journal
K-Gr 5-Layout, design, illustrations, and descriptive verses blend in perfect harmony to give voice to the unique sounds of 10 orchestral instruments. Readers meet the ``Fine FRENCH HORN, its valves all oiled/Bright and brassy, loops all coiled,'' and the ``FLUTE that sends our soul a-shiver;/ FLUTE, that slender, silver sliver.'' One by one as the numbers progress from ONE TROMBONE playing SOLO all the way up to ``A CHAMBER GROUP of TEN,'' the excitement, motion, and sounds increase. Priceman's amusing watercolors present an inspired assortment of characters who pose, prance, and float across the page and stage, their seeming wildness giving form to each instrument's function, as their exaggerated features and elongated limbs give them a sophisticated wit and elegant air. The rich, swirling background colors change with each double-page spread. As the numbers of players grow, the proscenium and curtain become more and more of a presence until viewers find themselves facing the concert group, and then onstage behind the musicians, who are facing the audience, taking a bow. A delight for music classes as well as a great introduction to the concert hall, this title will surely be met with applause.-Jane Marino, Scarsdale Public Library, NY
From the Publisher
"A book from which music issues forth as clearly as from any music box."
— New York Times Book Review
"A delight...this title will surely be met with applause."
— School Library Journal, starred review
A Caldecott Honor Book An American Library Association Notable Children's Book
A School Library Journal Best Book
A New York Times Best Illustrated Book
