Editorial Review

Meet the saxophone! This brassy woodwind gets the full treatment in this volume of the Musical Instruments series (12 titles). Whether curious about how it sounds or what it takes to play it, kids will find the answers to their questions in this primer. After explaining its inclusion in the woodwind instrument group, the saxophone types (soprano, alto, tenor, baritone) and primary components are outlined in succinct two-page chapters. These spreads contain a crisp photo on one page—often of a child playing the sax or of an instrument part, like the mouthpiece or keys—and one or two short paragraphs on the other. Many references are made to the saxophone’s ability to mimic human vocalizations and its prominence in marching and jazz bands. This is a solid choice for classroom units on music or to hand to children interested in choosing an instrument to play.