My Band by Elizabeth Lea

Ill. by Chantal Stewart. National Library of Australia, 2013. ISBN: 9780642277701.
(Ages: 4-6) Recommended. Nonfiction. Subjects: Music, Musical Instruments. My Band by Elizabeth Lea and Chantal Stewart is a great, lift the flap book that introduces the young reader to ten different musical instruments explaining how they are played and their musical family. Each double page spread starts with the same question, a young girl asks, 'I'm off to play in the band. See if you can guess which instrument I am going to play...'
On the opposite page on the front of the flaps are pictures showing part of the instrument and the starting letter inviting children to guess what is underneath.
The central band of colour across each page accentuates the text, and the simple colourful illustrations of the young girl playing each of the instruments are great visual cues for discussions about bands, orchestras and music. At the end of this fact book are eight projects for children to make their very own instruments with everyday household objects. These instruments include panpipes, an oboe and a tambourine.
This book is fun to read with the repetitive text, information hidden under the flaps and great projects to make. This is a great addition to the classroom, music room or home library.
Recommended for 4-6 years of age.
Rhyllis Bignell