Editorial Review
A noteworthy review of Musical Instruments from Children's Bookwatch on September 1, 2019
Written for elementary student reading (grades 3-6), ‘Pianos’ is a color photo filled brief encyclopedia on acoustic pianos. The piano is a historic stringed instrument that uses hammers to hit strings that are activated by depressing keys on the keyboard. Thus it is also a percussive instrument. Chapters are presented on the secret of piano strings, the keyboard, the strings, why the piano is made of wood, the pedals, who invented the piano, the shapes of pianos, great musicians (includes Beethoven and Mozart), pianos and music, and other instruments with a keyboard (including the melodica, accordion, miniature piano, organ, and electronic piano. A glossary is included at the end plus a section titled To Learn More listing relevant books and web sites. ‘Pianos’ is an excellent resource on the instrument that also encourages readers to explore pianos further by taking piano lessons. Also highly recommended for family, school, and community library collections for young readers ages 8-11 are the following titles from the same musical instrument nonfiction series: ‘Violins (9781503831889),’ by Pamela K. Harris, ‘Recorders (9781503831902),’ by Kara L. Laughlin, ‘Drums (9781503831834),’ by Pamela K. Harris, ‘Saxophones (9781503831926),’ by Sharon Sharth, ‘Trombones (9781503831858),’ by Bob Temple, ‘Trumpets (9781503831969),’ by Pamela K. Harris, ‘Tubas (9781503831940),’ by Bob Temple, ‘Flutes (9781503831841),’ by Pamela K. Harris, ‘Guitars (9781503831933),’ by Kara L. Laughlin, ‘Cellos (9781503831872),’ by Kathryn Stevens, ‘Clarinets (9781503831896),’ by Pamela K. Harris.
—James A. Cox