Two pillars of the publishing world — Disney and Hal Leonard have pooled their talent resources to craft an irresistible series of picture books with additional online content that help young children develop musical skills and knowledge through creative play. Launching the Disney Learning “Explore Music” series are:
Moana: The Beat of Your Heart – A Musical Exploration Activity BookPrincess Moana, who lives in a tropical island paradise, shares her culture with young readers who discover how the natural rhythms of Moana’s environment are expressed artistically through hand clapping, body rhythm, and drumming. Kids will develop their sense of inner pulse by playing along with the drums of Motonui on percussion instruments that they themselves craft from household objects. This beautifully illustrated book with online musical enhancements serves as a guide for children to explore beat, rhythm, and the sounds of Motonui’s drums through constructive activities and creative play.
Tangled: It’s Better When You Sing It – A Musical Exploration StorybookGraced with the charming familiarity of Tangled-inspired illustrations, this innovative musical exploration storybook integrates thoughtful activities right in the engaging narrative. Rapunzel shows youngsters that everything is better when they sing! Learning about music becomes an exciting adventure with this playful story that encourages children to experience the joy of singing while they discover the qualities of their own unique voice. Along the way, they’ll explore concepts like tempo, pitch awareness, proper breathing, careful listening, using music to express feelings, and much more.
Mickey’s Found Sounds -A Musical Exploration Storybook
The Main Street Parade has been rained out, but Mickey, Minnie, and Goofy, along with Donald and Daisy Duck and all their friends, form their own parade playing musical instruments they have made from everyday items found around the house. Children will follow simple instructions and share with Mickey and his pals the fun of playing music with instruments they create themselves. This exploration storybook combines music making with imaginative play, following directions to create crafts, and experiencing the sounds of different instruments.
Authored by a Hal Leonard team of artists, designers, writers, music educators, songwriters, and music producers, and based on an early childhood music curriculum commissioned by Disney Learning, each of these hardcover picture books includes not only a charming, colorfully illustrated story that’s perfect for ages 4 – 8, but also an array of musical exploration activities. To add to the fun, additional online activities, including video read-alongs, audio sing-alongs, and more, are provided for each title on the Hal Leonard Explore Music website.
Singing and making music are wonderful ways to bond and nurture physical, emotional, and social development. Helpful suggestions for parents and caregivers about incorporating music into the life of a young child are included in each book.
I had the opportunity to check out all three books and I highly recommend them! I like that they will entertain young children and that they teach about making music! I love that you can also go to the Hal Leonard Explore Music website for more fun activities!
Look for Moana: The Beat of Your Heart – A Musical Exploration Activity Book, Tangled: It’s Better When You Sing It – A Musical Exploration Storybook, and Mickey’s Found Sounds – A Musical Exploration Storybook at fine music and bookstores everywhere or by visiting www.halleonard.com.
Self Disclosure: I receive free copies of the above books to facilitate this post. Images were also provided.
Speak Your Mind