The Composer is Dead

The Composer is Dead. Lemony Snicket. Illustrated by Carson Ellis. Music by Nathaniel Stookey. 2009. HarperCollins. 36 pages. [Source: Review copy]

First sentence: The composer is dead. "Composer" is a word which here means "a person who sits in a room, muttering and humming and figuring out what notes the orchestra is going to play." This is called composing. But last night, the Composer was not muttering. He was not humming. He was not moving, or even breathing. This is called decomposing.

Premise/plot: An investigator has been called in to investigate the 'mysterious' death of the composer. WHO murdered the composer and why? Is the murderer to be found in the strings? the brass? the woodwinds? the percussion section?

"I swear on my own intelligence and good looks; I will solve this terrible crime against humanity and/or classical music."

My thoughts: I love, love, LOVE this one. I love the strong narrative voice. The writing is fun and clever. The text is LIVELY.

The Violins answered first, of course. The violin section is divided into the First Violins, who have the trickier parts to play, and the Second Violins, who are more fun at parties. "We were performing a waltz," said the Violins. We played graceful melodies so the ladies and gentlemen could spin around and around and around until they felt dizzy and somewhat nauseous. This kept us busy all night. AHA the Inspector cried, making a note in his notebook. "Perhaps you murdered the Composer for making you play so much." "Don't be ridiculous!" the Violins said. "Violins are the stars of any orchestra. If we killed the Composer, we would have to find work at square dances or in romantic restaurants."  

It is packed with plenty of information about orchestras. Yet at its heart is a dramatic--perhaps melodramatic--STORY.

I love the audio book included with the book. Together the music and the book create a lovely and dark atmosphere. It is an invitation to play and create.

I also love that it's a MYSTERY. So many detective/mystery stereotypes are in play in the narrative. If you love that genre then this one is just giddy-making.

Text: 5 out of 5
Illustrations: 3 out of 5
Music: 5 out of 5
Total: 13 out of 15

© 2018 Becky Laney of Young Readers

The Silly Book With CD

The Silly Book with CD. Stoo Hample. 2010/2004/1961. Candlewick Press. 32 pages.

Candlewick Press has reprinted Stoo Hample's The Silly Book; it was originally published along with the Silly Record (LP) in 1961. This latest edition--there was another reprint in 2004--includes the CD containing twenty-three minutes of silly songs and poems. How silly is silly? Very! It's silly nonsense through and through.

I had to listen to the CD a few times before I started to enjoy it. But. Once I gave it some of my time and attention, I must admit that *some* of the silliness worked for me. (Not that I'd want to listen to it continuously for weeks or anything.)

Here's one of my favorites:

Silly Recipe

Cook three pieces of
spaghetti in a pan of
water for two years.

Add one teaspoonful
of chocolate syrup
and mix well.

Spread on bread
and freeze.

Feed to teddy bear.

I also enjoyed "Silly Backwards Talk" and "Silly Story."

© Becky Laney of Young Readers

Amazing Baby Clap and Sing

Amazing Baby: Clap and Sing. Emma Dodd. 2007. Silver Dolphin. 12 pages.

Rhyme time, baby, sing with me...
Clap your hands--one, two, three!

This board book features a collection of songs for young children. The CD features fifteen songs--almost a full forty minutes of music. The board book features the lyrics for all the songs on the album.

Rhyme Time, Baby, Sing With Me
Hey Diddle, Diddle
Round and Round the Garden
Row, Row, Row Your Boat
One, Two, Three, Four, Five
Baa Baa Black Sheep
I Had A Little Nut Tree
Mary Had a Little Lamb
The Grand Old Duke Of York
Little Miss Muffet
The Itsy Bitsy Spider
Sing a Song of Sixpence
Bobby Shafto
Pat-a-Cake
Old MacDonald Had A Farm

Some will probably be familiar to you. But just because you recognize the lyrics, doesn't mean that you'll recognize the song--the melody. Because these arrangements are different to say the least.

I'd describe the album as unexpected. Songs you expect to be fast are slower--much slower. (I have never heard a slower version of Row, Row, Row Your Boat. And Hey Diddle, Diddle, I expected to be a bit faster. I'm not sure why. Maybe because I sing it that way I suppose.) Some songs have quite a soulful/jazzy feel. (Especially Mary Had A Little Lamb and The Itsy Bitsy Spider). And others sound rap-inspired. Some seem to defy all description. (What can I say about their version of Old MacDonald Had A Farm?! Or Little Miss Muffet?!)

You may not like every song on the album. (I'd be surprised if you did.) But you'll probably enjoy some of the songs at least.

© Becky Laney of Young Readers

The Napping House "Musical" CD

The hardcover which I received to review features a "musical" CD. The CD includes a reading of the picture book (complete with "special" effects.) It also features six "songs" inspired by the classic story by Audrey Wood. These songs include: Rainy Day Song, Sweet Dreams, The Napping House Song, Wake-Up Jamboree, Shoes Off, Shoes On, and Catch a Piece of the Rainbow. Perhaps I would have been less hopeful if I'd realized the music/lyrics are all copyrighted in the late 80s.

I was disappointed--to put it nicely. I was actually shocked at how horrible it was. It seems to get worse with each song. Just when you think it can't get much worse. Well, it does.

© Becky Laney of Young Readers

Baby Beatles Make Me Happy

Confession time...for the past week, I've been mesmerized by one CD in particular. The album has just ten songs, and runs about 49 minutes. What makes this one special? What makes this one unique?
The ten songs are Beatles songs as you might have guessed. They're all instrumental, true. They're music-box-esque. A sound when balanced with 'gentle' orchestration is more than downright pleasant. It's soothing in a way you're probably not expecting. I mean, if someone was trying to tell me that a CD of "music-box" anything would be the happiest music, the most soothing music, easy-on-the-nerves music, I'd be convinced they were lying. Convinced they were nuts. Yet here I am testifying that this CD is made of awesome. I don't know why. Maybe the CD has subliminal messages embedded in the songs that melt stress and bring about a feeling of inner peace and tranquility. All I know is that when I listen to it, I feel better. And it's a kind of better that doesn't bring an increase of calories. Sure I could resort to chocolate or cookies, but....this choice doesn't have consequences.

Here are the songs:

Here Comes the Sun
Let It Be
Long and Winding Road
All You Need Is Love
Strawberry Fields Forever
Something
Hey Jude
Yesterday
I Want To Hold Your Hand
Yellow Submarine

Do I have a favorite? Yes! All of the songs mesmerize me, it's true. They flow into one another subtly and beautifully. But one song in particular makes me extra-happy: Yellow Submarine.

© Becky Laney of Young Readers