Publishers Weekly
10/03/2022
Taking an expansive approach to musicality and instrumentation, this interactive board book introduces horns as making “loud sounds when you take a big breath and blow.” Informational, onomatopoeic text by Rajan references horns around the world and across cultures, including instruments such as the trumpet and the Tibetan dung-chen as well as found objects like a conch shell and a paper towel tube. Yakunova’s high-contrast illustrations, which include people of varying skin tones, portray a broad array of items from the titular category (a double reed instrument, a truck’s air horn, and objects that amplify the human voice all seem to fit the brief). The suggestion of household “horns” such as funnels encourage readers toward creative, musical play, and a hole in the book’s final pages invites kids to create their own sound. Concludes with a labeled illustration of all objects discussed. Ages 1–3. (Aug.)
From the Publisher
"Exuberant and participatory, like the music and instruments it showcases." —Kirkus
"This is a fun introduction to horns, with examples ranging from formal instruments to things you find in your house." — Book Riot
"This first introduction to horns is a great way to teach young readers about musical instruments. The playful language and colorful illustrations make this a fun read for little ones and encourages them to find horns all around them!" — KIDS Bookshelf
"This interactive board book encourages creative, musical play." —Publishers Weekly
"Music education is such an important element in a child’s life; this promising series allows the learning and playing to begin as early as possible." — School Library Journal
Kirkus Reviews
2022-05-25
An introduction to different types of musical horns around the world.
This board book introduces readers to more than just the trumpet. There’s the dung-chen horn of Tibet, the South African vuvuzela, and the South Indian nadaswaram. Rajan also points out that horns show up in all sorts of places, from the loud honk of a big rig to birthday party noisemakers. An interactive element even encourages readers to practice making music by blowing right on the page of the book. Rajan includes vocabulary words like valves on a trumpet. The final page serves as a visual glossary of different types of horns, from the bugle to a bicycle horn. Yakunova’s illustrations include standout solid colors and musicians with an array of skin tones. The pages are simple yet compelling, allowing readers to zero in on the featured horn and its player. This is both a rundown of instruments and cultures and an introduction to music and its musicians. Well-paced with an invitation to participate, this one is a refreshingly joyful concept board book. (This book was reviewed digitally.)
Exuberant and participatory, like the music and instruments it showcases. (Board book. 2-4)
