Books in Child's Introduction Series series

This delightful, interactive journey through the history of the world's poetry now includes a removable poster and access to downloadable audio, allowing kids to listen and learn as they experience the magic of the spoken word. Poetry can be fun -- especially when we can read it, hear it, and discover its many delights. A Child's Introduction to Poetry joyously introduces kids (and parents) to the greatest poets in history -- from Homer and Shakespeare to Langston Hughes and Maya Angelou -- and provides excellent examples of their work and commentary on what makes it so special and everlasting. The book covers every style of poem, from epics and odes, to nonsense verse and haikus, and is filled with examples of each one. This multimedia package encourages children to listen, read, and learn, and opens the door to a lifetime of appreciation of a rich literary tradition. Also included is a removable, fold-out poster of "Jabberwocky" by Lewis Carroll, one of history's most iconic poems.

This book is about enjoying music. It tells you what is interesting about a whole range of musical styles, from plainsong to punk, so that you know what to listen for. It includes the colourful story of jazz and looks at the enormous variety of music around the world. A mass of musical terms are explained and there are lots of suggestions for music to listen to. A section on the science of music explains how instruments work and why they sound different from each other. You can find out how concert halls are designed to produce the best effects. You can also discover how records, tapes and compact discs work, and take a look behind the scenes at a recording studio. In addition, there is fascinating background information on how composers work and how to go about composing your own music. A chart of composers from the 16th century to the present describes their music and its relevance to the society of the time. Clear instructions tell you how to read music and there is advice on how to choose an instrument to learn.