Kirkus Star
THE KIRKUS STAR
Awarded to Books of Exceptional Merit

BROWSE BOOK REVIEWS




Children's Songs & Music


Cover art for CANADIAN RAILROAD TRILOGY
CHILDREN'S
Released: Nov. 1, 2010
by Gordon Lightfoot, illustrated by Ian Wallace

Sir John A. Macdonald once envisioned what Gordon Lightfoot called "an iron road runnin' from the sea to the sea"—the Canadian Pacific Railway, begun in 1885. Read full book review >
Cover art for 12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS
CHILDREN'S
Released: Oct. 1, 2010
illustrated by Rachel Isadora

"A map and author's note give the locations of many of the illustration sources. (Picture book. 4-7)"
Isadora continues her series of traditional tales (and now, a song) reset in Africa and illustrated with her visually arresting collages that incorporate African fabrics. Read full book review >
Cover art for MAN GAVE NAMES TO ALL THE ANIMALS
CHILDREN'S
Released: Sept. 1, 2010
by Bob Dylan, illustrated by Jim Arnosky

"A beautiful concept with gorgeous artwork but flawed design. (Picture book and CD. 3-10)"
For this book-and-CD set, prolific artist and naturalist Arnosky has illustrated Dylan's catchy song about man naming animals—bear, cow, bull, pig, sheep and snake—with pencil-and-acrylic paintings of more than 170 animals in a series of peaceable kingdom images. Read full book review >
Cover art for THE CARNIVAL OF THE ANIMALS
CHILDREN'S
Released: Aug. 24, 2010
by Jack Prelutsky, illustrated by Mary GrandPré

"A helpful note on the composer and his piece rounds out a fine package— it's an irresistible poetic and musical experience for youngsters. (Picture book/poetry. 6-12)"
A distinguished trio combine for a fresh, accessible and wonderfully appealing reimagining of a classic 19th-century "program music" favorite ("program music" being music specifically created to describe or depict a visual image): Camille Saint-Saëns's evocative 1886 favorite. Read full book review >
Cover art for JAZZ FLY 2
CHILDREN'S
Released: June 1, 2010
by Matthew Gollub, illustrated by Karen Hanke

"Qué bueno! (author's note) (Picture book/CD. 5-8)"
Jazz Fly and his band are back (The Jazz Fly, 2000) for a bilingual adventure: a tropical-rainforest gig plus car trouble. Read full book review >
Cover art for ¡MUU, MOO!
CHILDREN'S
Released: March 1, 2010

"Escrivá's depictions of children and the animals' humorous expressions infuse each page with an infectious, childlike happiness. (Nursery rhymes. 1-7)"
Ada and Campoy team up again (¡Pío Peep!, 2003, etc.) to produce this lovely anthology of rhymes, songs and poems from the Hispanic oral tradition. Read full book review >