It’s September and that means it’s National Piano Month! Yes, you read that correctly, there’s a national piano month…
Now before you start rolling your eyes, let's look at how you can take advantage of this silly month-long theme and check out these great story books for kids!
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Written by Elizabeth Rusch,
Illustrated by Marjorie Priceman
This is a fantastic read about the history of the piano and why it was invented in the first place. The author does take some artistic liberties given that the actual history we know about Cristofori is very limited, but nonetheless this is a beautiful read for kids of varying ages that also encourages learning the terms for musical dynamics.
This year I've been especially partial to a new favorite in my library,
Henry the Steinway: A Star Is Born, written by Sally Coveleskie and Peter Goodrich, Illustrated by Laura Friedman.
This is actually the second book in the Henry the Steinway series. On the surface these may seem a little funny (the books are about a personified grand piano), but they’re beautifully told stories that are highly engaging to younger kids. Even older kids will get into these after a couple pages!
In this book, the children get to visit the Steinway factory where they learn how pianos are made. Then Henry tells a sweet story about his early years as a piano at Steinway and Carnegie Halls in New York City. This is a great way for kids to begin understanding just how much is involved in making instruments as well as the workings of the professional performance world. FYI this book is currently harder to get and likely out of print, so I suggest you check your local libraries or used book sites for cheaper options.
It's always great to have some easy books on hand that are purely for a good laugh or simple entertainment. Here's some of my favorites that are fun, piano-themed, and especially great for younger kids:
by Elise Parsley
This is just a silly read that my younger kids love. Take advantage of the ridiculous plot to educate kids about just how heavy a piano is and why this story could never really happen!
by David Litchfield
This is such a sweet story about following your passion and the loving support of friends. It's actually the first book in a series, so be sure to check out the rest!
by Akiko Miyakoshi
For any young student that's nervous about performing, this is a cute fantasy-like story of a young girl about to go on stage that gets caught up in her wild imagination. Definitely an entertaining read!
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