M Is For Music: Books to Inspire an Interest in Music (continued)

Toes
Ages: 8 & Up
Author: Tor Seidler  
HarperCollins Children's Books / Laura Geringer, $15.99 (Hard Cover)   

Owned by the McDonahue family, Toes is a black cat with seven digits on each paw whose siblings will have nothing to do with him. They ostracize him not for his extra toes, but for his extra smarts. Toes learns to understand some human words, cultivates an appreciation of the classical music and does “tricks” that amaze the children. One winter evening, Toes gets lost, stumbles into someone else’s basement and can’t get out. This house’s owner, Sebastian, a struggling musician with dreams of playing in the philharmonic, is astounded by Toes’ intelligence and apparent love of classical music. Through their years of friendship, it is Toes who helps Sebastian realize his fondest dream. 

Bud, Not Buddy
Ages: 10 & Up
Author: Christopher Paul Curtis  
Delacorte Press,

An orphaned runaway, Bud copes with the adult world with his numbered "Rules and Things." His few treasures from his former life with "Momma," are kept in a battered suitcase. One, a flyer advertising a musical group, leads him on a fantasy journey to an amazing reality.

Harlem Stomp! A Cultural History of the Harlem Renaissance

Ages: 12 & Up

Author: Laban Carrick Hill  
Little, Brown and Company Children's Publishing/Megan Tingley Books, $18.95 (Hard Cover)   

The Harlem Renaissance continues to provide compelling material for authors. This volume offers seldom seen photographs and subject matter, such as “jive” terms popularized during the period. The era encompassed so much art, music and literature- the author touches upon it all. Packed with information accessible through a thorough index, this cultural history is equally a great browsing book, where readers discover something unique with each turn of the page.

Kitchen Concerto
You may not realize it, but your kitchen is an orchestra waiting to happen. Pots, pans, eggbeaters, graters, forks and mugs are just a few of the items bursting with symphonic potential.

Music Lessons: Body & Soul
If your child comes home from school wanting to learn to play an instrument, what do you say? Follow these suggestions for deciding the best way to encourage your child's musical interests.