Reviews: (by author)

Metropolitan Museum of Art. A Treasury of Children's Songs. New York:
Henry Holt, 2003. $19.95. ISBN 0-8050-7445-7.

Hard to imagine over-praising this book. The congruence between the songs and the paintings selected to accompany them is extraordinary. Tactilely, audibly, visually, and intellectually, the reader is treated to a cornucopia. The sturdy, high quality hardback is nearly 100 pages long and an excellent buy for the personal or schoolroom library. Forty famous folk songs are laid out on easy to follow scores, for those who can play recorder, violin, or what have you. Each song is accompanied by a succinct, salient paragraph. The paintings selected for illustration themselves present a visual treat. They're selected from classic Chinese, French Neo-classic, American Naturalist, and much more—that is, the range is extraordinary and, of course, the essential information is printed about each illustration. Details from a painting are often added to the pages, further enhancing the handsome appearance of the book. The depth of the visual art, the exuberance of the musical art, the information provided combine to create a must-buy book.

Highly recommended

Alida Allison, October 2003

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