Ten Books to Read with Your Piano Kid

Welcome to the Piano Parent Podcast show notes for Episode 080. Every tenth episode features a list of ten things to help you in your musical journey. Today’s episode is one of my favorites: Ten Books to Read with Your Piano Kid!

Click here to listen to the other Tenth Episodes.

Thanks to my co-host and fellow book lover, Dawn Ivers for offering her top picks.

Book One

Children’s Book of Music DK Publishing

(Reference book for all ages)

We like this book as it serves as a great reference for piano students to learn about musical time periods, types of music, and listen to great music. You can study a few pages at a time and enjoy different parts depending on what you interests you.

Here is a YouTube video of Britten’s “Young Person’s Guide to the Orchestra”

Book Two

Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue Anna Harwell Calenza

(Picture book with listening CD for ages 6-9)

This book gives the backstory behind the composing of Rhapsody in Blue. The more history I learn about a topic, the more interested I become. This book tells an interesting story with lovely, colorful pictures.

Gershwin’s masterpiece was featured in Disney’s Fantasia 2000. I just love this video!

Book Three

Nina: Jazz Legend and Civil-Rights Activist, Nina Simone  Alice Briere-Haquet

(Short picture book for ages 4-8)

In addition to telling the story of Nina Simone, this book also conveys the idea that music is for all people and dreams need to be taken care of. Highlighting the subject matter, this book uses lovely black and white illustrations. A moving book for children and parents alike, just in time for February’s Black History Month.

Nina Simone was the recommended musician that Nicola Cantan referred to in her teacher interview in Episode 071.

Book Four

Becoming Bach Tom Leonard

(Picture book for ages 4-8)

A beautiful first book written by illustrator, Tom Leonard. Even if you aren’t interested in music, the book is worth a look for the illustrations alone. This book features patterns which are a mainstay of music while telling the story of Johan Sebastian Bach.

These Bach pieces contain lovely pattern-based melodies that you and your piano kid might enjoy.

Bach Cello Suite in G

Prelude in C for piano

Book Five