Emily Arrow is an award-winning children’s songwriter with 10+ years of experience working with children in music education. Her albums have been played on SiriusXM’s Kid’s Place Live. She has also worked with Sesame Street Studios on The Witch Sisters, and with Cantana Learning Center on the Library Skills Series. Emily is an official Kala Brand Music Company artist. She is based in Nashville, TN.
The Children’s Book Review: Which five words best describe Kids’ Guide to Learning the Ukulele?
Emily Arrow: Colorful, approachable, interactive, how-to, musical.
Can you share one highlight from the book?
One highlight from the book is a song called “Find The Sock” that readers can play with a partner. The reader will hide a sock and then give clues about how to find it by playing their ukulele! It’s a fun way to solidify chord mastery and interact with others through music.
What has been the best reaction from a reader, so far?
At the book’s launch party in Austin, TX at BookPeople, one young reader shared that she’d been hoping to learn ukulele her whole life and was so grateful to finally have a chance to learn. It’s truly fulfilling to hear readers share with me that the book is helping them on their own musical journey.
Why do you think music should be an important part of a child’s day?
I think music is a powerful tool for self-reflection and expression that’s incredibly accessible to humans at a young age. So I believe finding ways to bring music into the daily life of children can open doors for them to understand themselves and the world around them.
For any readers out there just getting started in their music career, is there are particular ukulele that you recommend for beginners?
I recommend the brand Kala for beginner ukuleles. Their model KA-15S is an affordable soprano ukulele that stays in tune exceptionally well. And if readers want to play the same exact ukulele as I do, they can try Kala’s blue tenor ukulele model KA-TEMB.
For your writing energy: sugar or salt, tea or coffee?
Cold-brew coffee!! My favorite thing on a writing day is to wake up and realize I can stay in my pajamas and sip cold brew all morning.
Writing tools: computer, pen and paper, or all of the above?
The tool I used for writing this book was a surprise to me — iPad! I began by digitally drawing my own versions of the diagrams and illustrations that are now in the book. And when I was writing the song content for the book, I need to audio record some parts. So for both, I would use my iPad because I could move around freely with my ukulele to digitally draw, record, and write.
What’s on your nightstand? Any books?
So many books. Always. And almost always exclusively non-fiction female authors. I’m currently reading work by Pema Chodron, the poet Mary Oliver, and Maria Popovia. A favorite picture book text of mine right now is “Music for Mister Moon” by Erin and Phillip C. Stead.
Can you tell us something that even your most loyal fans may not know about you?
I’m left-handed!
Is there anything else you would like to share with our readers?
If a reader is considering learning the ukulele but doesn’t personally own one yet, I suggest they check with their local library! An exciting discovery has been finding out about the many libraries in the US and Canada that offer ukulele lending programs now.
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Written by Emily Arrow
Publisher’s Synopsis: The ukulele is the perfect first instrument for kids!
- Instructional guide for kids to learn how to play the ukulele
- 24 easy-to-learn songs, games, and activities
- Introduce children to music and the benefits of playing an instrument with this excellent resource
- Kid-friendly fun facts on the uke’s history, fundamentals like tuning and holding positions, basic chords, and more
- Charming illustrations and diagrams with easy-to-follow instructions for parents to teach their children
- Author Emily Arrow is an official Kala artist, award-winning children’s songwriter, and popular music educator
The benefits of music are monumental! Ukuleles are the perfect first instrument for kids to learn to play, and this book will show you why and how.
Filled with kid-friendly instructions for holding positions, tuning, basic chords, and more, with Kids’ Guide to Learning the Ukulele, children will learn and then practice 24 songs, games, and activities. From songs about counting to songs about yoga, each exciting musical activity provides a rich and playful learning experience kids will love!
Author Emily Arrow has over 10 years of experience working with children and teachers in music education. An award-winning children’s songwriter, an official Kala Brand Music Co. artist, and popular YouTube personality, her work has also been featured on SiriusXM’s Kid’s Place Live, as well as Sesame Street Studios.
Kids’ Guide to Learning the Ukulele is a must-have musical journey for children and parents or teachers alike—no prior experience or knowledge needed!
Ages 7-10 | Publisher: Happy Fox Books | January 7, 2020 | ISBN-13: 978-1641240482
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This speed interview with Emily Arrow, author of Kids’ Guide to Learning Ukulele, was conducted by Bianca Schulze. For similar books and articles, follow along with our content tagged with Activity Books, Instructional Books, Music, and Non-Fiction. Be sure to follow along with our Speed Interview series, too.