Big Band Sound

"That's the Big Band Sound," says Arlis's oddly distant mother as she and Arlis watch musicians performing on TV. Sitting rather forlornly in an armchair, the woman proclaims it "my kind of music"-a phrase her daughter echoes as she becomes mesmerized by the fast-moving arms of the band's drummer and the sounds he produces. The following day, Arlis fashions a homemade set of drums out of an empty paint container and other "jumble" stored in a shed. She reluctantly leaves off her drumming to accompany her mother to the store, but when she returns she is heartbroken to discover that her father (who, curiously, is never pictured here) has put out her "drums" as trash and that the garbage truck has borne them off. There is-at long last-a happy ending to Diller's (Grandaddy's Highway) rambling, wordy tale. More memorable than the text are Shine's (Stradivari's Singing Violin) watercolor and gouache paintings, which give the story a gracious, seaside setting and credibly communicate the aspiring young musician's changeable moods. Ages 4-8.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Kindergarten-Grade 2?A refreshing story with humor, joy, and lovely pictures as well. Arlis wants to play "big band" music after hearing and seeing it on TV. The next morning, the resourceful child creates a fine set of percussion instruments from sticks, buckets, lids, and a garbage can. When Mama takes her away for their annual picture-taking session, she is devastated to find the "drums" gone upon their return. However, the lure of that jazzy beat still pulls at Arlis and soon she has assembled yet another drum set-from the neighbor's trash. Now Mama takes time to listen, and the "Tat-A-Tat-A-Tat-A-Tat" brings applause and a hug. Shine's gouache and watercolor pictures fill each page with vibrant, busy colors and moods. The close-up portraits of Arlis and her mother are particularly stunning. Pair this lively glimpse at childhood pleasures with George Ella Lyon's Five Live Bongos (Scholastic, 1994) for an upbeat musical story hour.?Beth Tegart, Oneida City Schools, NY
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.