Review by School Library Journal Review
K-Gr 3--Written in the cumulative style of "This Is the House That Jack Built," a young girl shows off her piano in rhyme, showcasing a new part of the instrument every repetition. Once she has shown off the piano and quieted her nerves, she then displays her musical talent and performs a great solo recital. Back matter includes a glossary and visuals of all the discussed piano parts, and a lovely author's note on preparing for performances. Jasinski's story is simple to follow and extremely relatable to anyone who has ever played a musical instrument. The text stands out, using repetition to aid comprehension and provide context for some of the more musical vocabulary students might not understand yet. Bagdi's illustrations are also extremely helpful in understanding what part of the piano is being shown. These beautiful illustrations also work with the story to show off not just the piano, but the child's emotions and the music itself. Together Jasinski and Bagdi have created a recital from start to finish that will leave readers wanting an encore. VERDICT A fantastic music read-aloud to showcase pianos and performances, and maybe inspire some students to prepare for their own recitals.--Margaret Kennelly
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
