As a keen music listener but non‐player I have always been impressed by (and, yes, not a little envious of) the ability of children to play a whole range of musical instruments to a high standard. Their enjoyment must lie primarily in their own performance, but a wider knowledge of their instrument should enhance that enjoyment and so perhaps further improve their performance and encourage non‐players to learn as well. That reflection makes this new series very welcome, not least for its truly international scope.
Each volume has a clear colour illustration of each instrument dealt with, its key parts clearly labelled. The illustration is accompanied by a short and simple description of the instrument and its history or cultural origin. This pattern covers 19 string instruments, 18 flutes, 19 brass and woodwind instruments and 19 percussion instruments including variants from all over the world, quite a few of them new to me. The illustrations usually comprise photographs and/or a diagram accompanied by the text, all aimed at the five‐ to seven‐year‐old age range. Noted in the text or captions are not only principal features of the instrument but also where in the world it is used and background social or religious circumstances (shakuhaki players with baskets over their heads, cimbaloms played in Hungarian restaurants, hotels and cafes, the sansa in Africa, or the zurna in Turkey for example). In some cases, notably in the Percussion volume there is comparison of how the same type of instrument is used in different countries or continents (such as rattles exemplified by maracas and sleigh bells).
The books have a standard attractive layout with an essential glossary and useful index. Both as technical introductions to music and its instruments, and in widening a child’s view of the world’s diversity (not to mention as straightforward sources of factual information), all of these volumes (and any similar future titles in the series) are likely to bring much interest as well as instruction to the children using them: and like all good factual books for children they have taught this old reader quite a bit of new musical knowledge too.
