Hector and Prudence(large, pink pigs)relocate from a field to a "new home" just in time for six new additions to the family. Any parent will empathize as well as chuckle at the implied reality of the escapades of this greatly expanded family!

A wonderful book that anyone who has a child, they want to share the beauty and imagination of music through this book. Highly recommended.

Come meet the orchestra, and learn about the fascinating history and evolution of this large ensemble, its individual instruments, and the wonderful music it plays. From its predecessor, the Beaters, Tooters, and Strings, to the Baroque, Classical, and Romantic periods, and the modern orchestras of today, Bruce Koscielniak takes the reader on a marvelous and inviting 400 year journey. His engaging and entertaining text is written in an easy to read, conversational style, and is full of historical information, fun facts, and trivia. Busy, detailed illustrations enhance the text, and contain additional facts, definitions, diagrams, and other notes of interest, and youngsters will enjoy exploring all the artwork, finding something new and exciting every time they open the book. Perfect for kids 7 and older, The Story Of The Incredible Orchestra is a creative and innovative book that's sure to whet the appetite and peak the interest of budding musicians everywhere. As Mr Koscielniak tells us, "We've seen the orchestra develop over the past four hundred years, always with a blend of ideas old and new. Without a doubt, the incredible orchestra, whatever its shape, will roll onward-to the great enjoyment of listeners along the way." Read, learn, and enjoy!

The Story of the Incredible Orchestra is a delightful way to introduce children to the history of the orchestra. Written and illustrated by Bruce Koscielniak, a musician who has played the violin and jazz guitar for years, the book can be enjoyed by both the casual reader as well as the music lover. The double-page spreads begin with a focus on a particular period of music and are followed by studies on the individual instruments introduced during that period. For example, violins during the Baroque Period and clarinets during the Romantic Period. The text itself is engaging and well-placed questions help focus attention on important points.

Colorful illustrations spill across the pages, bringing the text to life and engaging the reader in a deeper understanding of what is being discussed. Side-notes and smaller diagrams explain the text further and give specific definitions and notes of interest. The end pages depict and name by group all the instruments that are to be found in a symphony orchestra. Koscielniak encourages readers to make orchestral music a part of their lives, and his book may well inspire a budding young musician to pick an instrument and join in.