Review sponsored* by JamJam Books
The Children’s Book Review | February 16, 2018
Illustrated by Alenka Vuk Trotovsek
Age Range: 1 and up
Board Book: 12 pages
Publisher: JamJam Books (2018)
ISBN: 978-0-999001332
What to expect: Classical Music, Orchestra Instruments, an Interactive Experience
My First Beethoven is an excellent choice for introducing toddlers and preschoolers to classical music and, more specifically, the music of German composer and pianist Ludwig van Beethoven.
Youngsters will readily pick up this book when they see the it’s lovely green cover, with illustrated instruments and Beethoven himself resting casually on tree branches, all with endearing and smiley faces. Readers will also be pleasantly surprised as they discover that music plays with the easy push of a button found on each of the sturdy double-page spreads.
The book begins with a Turkish march and progresses through more dramatic compositions, then a sonata, until the ‘Ode to Joy’ finale. The illustrations complete the overall image with happy, young multicultural children joining hands with clothed animals as white doves fly above them on the final pages. Throughout the book, the words and the illustrations collectively help tell the story of the music that accompanies each spread—effectively showing youngsters that music is a great format for sharing and exploring emotion.
Little hands and fingers will enjoy thumbing through the pages and pushing the music button (which can be turned off with a switch located on the back cover) with no help from bigger hands. But the greatest impact from this book will likely be felt when a grown-up shares the experience of My First Beethoven with a child and discussions form about the different instruments, the varying sounds and rhythms of the music, and the emotive faces shown on the illustrated characters.
Musical families and musician parents are sure to gain the most from sharing this board book with their kiddos, but it’s certainly a fun and recommended choice for all children ages 1 through 6.
Available Here: https://jamjambooks.com
About the Illustrator
Alenka Vuk Trotovsek lives and works in Ljubljana, Slovenia with her husband and twin daughters. When she was little she enjoyed herself most when she was drawing, reading fairytales and playing with her friends. She always knew that she’d work in the field of the arts when she grew up. She attended design and photography school in Ljubljana and graduated from the faculty of education/art pedagogy. In 1996 Alenka began her transition into the wonderful world of freelance illustration. Her daughters, fairytales, animals and the beautiful nature that sourrounds her inpire her personal work.
Dedicated Reviews allow authors and illustrators to gain prompt visibility for their work. JamJam Books sponsored* this non-biased review of “My First Beethoven,” by Alenka Vuk Trotovsek. Learn more about getting a book review …