Zin! Zin! Zin! A Violin

by Lloyd Moss, Marjorie Priceman (Illustrator)

Overview

A Caldecott Honor book that is the perfect introduction to musical instruments and a counting book that redefines the genre.

When this book begins, the trombone is playing all by itself. But soon a trumpet makes a duet, a french horn a trio, and so on until the entire orchestra is assembled on stage. Written in elegant and rhythmic verse and illustrated with playful and flowing artwork, this unique counting book is the perfect introduction to musical groups. Readers of all ages are sure to shout “Encore!” when they reach the final page of this joyous celebration of classical music.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780671882396
Publisher:	Simon & Schuster Books For Young Readers
Publication date:	03/01/1995
Pages:	32
Sales rank:	181,119
Product dimensions:	8.50(w) x 11.00(h) x 0.40(d)
Lexile:	AD730L (what's this?)
Age Range:	4 - 8 Years

About the Author

Lloyd Moss, the classical music guru of WQXR, has a long list of TV and film appearances and voice-overs to his credit. He lives in Croton-on-Hudson, New York.

Marjorie Priceman, illustrator of many acclaimed picture books, has won Caldecott Honors for her illustrations in Zin! Zin! Zin! A Violin! by Lloyd Moss and Hot Air: The (Mostly) True Story of the Frist Hot-Air Balloon Ride, which she also wrote. She lives in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania.

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

"A book from which music issues forth as clearly as from any music box."

— New York Times Book Review

"A delight...this title will surely be met with applause."

— School Library Journal, starred review

A Caldecott Honor Book

An American Library Association Notable Children's Book

A School Library Journal Best Book

A New York Times Best Illustrated Book

Editorial Reviews

"A book from which music issues forth as clearly as from any music box."

— New York Times Book Review

"A delight...this title will surely be met with applause."

— School Library Journal, starred review

A Caldecott Honor Book

An American Library Association Notable Children's Book

A School Library Journal Best Book

A New York Times Best Illustrated Book

From the Publisher

Fans of Stellaluna, Cannon's exceptional debut book, will approach her second with high expectationsand those will be met. Carefully crafted prose and stunning art shape a story that delicately spans the fictional and real, at the same time delivering a message worthy of reflection. Curious about what lies beyond his Family Cave, Trupp, a cat-like creature with snow-white fur and ice-blue eyes, walks for days until he approaches "people-dwellings." The peace-loving Fuzzhead borrows clothing from a scarecrow so humans won't notice his odd appearance and, accompanied by a raven, heads for a city. No one on the bustling streets pays any attention to Trupp until he meets a homeless woman named Bernice, who removes a piece of broken glass from his foot and takes him to a safer part of town. Equally affecting as her text, Cannon's poignantly detailed acrylic and pencil art underscores the contrasts between Trupp's primitive homeland and the gritty, graffiti-scarred city; and between his ethereal presence and the eccentric, gaudy appearance of Bernice, who keeps half a dozen toothbrushes tucked into her woolen cap. As the new friends settle down to sleep in the park, Bernice's wise words expose the heart of the story: "Funny, isn't it? I wear all this bright stuff to keep from feeling invisible. When people stare at me, it helps me know I'm here. But Trupp puts on clothes so he will disappear." Cannon says so much so simply. Ages 4-8. (Apr.)

Publishers Weekly - Publisher's Weekly

This debut book by author Moss, As kids today would say, is boss. Its clever, jazzy verse presents (In language that is never dense) A helpful intro to each orchestra instru- ment- How some are alike, but rather more are different. He starts with the trombone's "mournful moan," Playing solo (i.e., alone); Then adds a trumpet, French horn and cello- All sounding forth a signature "hello." Each musical portrait (in quatrains) abounds With perfectly chosen, alliterative sounds. Thus the flute, notes Moss, "sends our soul a-shiver; Flute, that slender silver sliver." And Priceman's zany art's just right, With loose-limbed figures taking flight Around each spread in garb bizarre- As if proving how funky musicians are. With every new instrument joining the throng Of diligent players practicing song, Moss incorporates numbers and stops only when His team finally reaches "a chamber group of ten." So the book can be used as a counting tool (A great way to perk up a dull day at school); But it really works best, it's easy to see, As a deft means of meeting the symphony. So plentiful praise to this finely matched pair, Whose pictures and words show unusual flair.

Publishers Weekly - Cahners\\Publishers_Weekly

K-Gr 5-Layout, design, illustrations, and descriptive verses blend in perfect harmony to give voice to the unique sounds of 10 orchestral instruments. Readers meet the ``Fine FRENCH HORN, its valves all oiled/Bright and brassy, loops all coiled,'' and the ``FLUTE that sends our soul a-shiver;/ FLUTE, that slender, silver sliver.'' One by one as the numbers progress from ONE TROMBONE playing SOLO all the way up to ``A CHAMBER GROUP of TEN,'' the excitement, motion, and sounds increase. Priceman's amusing watercolors present an inspired assortment of characters who pose, prance, and float across the page and stage, their seeming wildness giving form to each instrument's function, as their exaggerated features and elongated limbs give them a sophisticated wit and elegant air. The rich, swirling background colors change with each double-page spread. As the numbers of players grow, the proscenium and curtain become more and more of a presence until viewers find themselves facing the concert group, and then onstage behind the musicians, who are facing the audience, taking a bow. A delight for music classes as well as a great introduction to the concert hall, this title will surely be met with applause.-Jane Marino, Scarsdale Public Library, NY

School Library Journal

In a fine preemptive strike, this zesty introduction to the orchestra could open young minds to the pleasures of classical music. Graceful rhyming couplets present 10 instruments and their characteristics: "With mournful moan and silken tone, / Itself alone comes ONE TROMBONE. / Gliding, sliding, high notes go low; / ONE TROMBONE is playing SOLO." Next the trumpet joins the trombone to make a duo, and then a French horn makes it a trio. In the process of adding instruments, the book teaches the names of musical groups up to a chamber group of 10 as well as the categories into which the instruments fall: strings, reeds, and brasses. Amazingly, Moss conveys this encyclopedic information while keeping the poem streamlined and peppy. Priceman's sprightly, sunny hued gouache paintings should take a bow, too. The symphony she portrays is hardly stiff: her musicians are characters--eccentric nonconformists who obviously love the music they are making. Superb in both concept and execution, this title is a sound addition to any collection.

Julie Yates Walton