SLJ Review of All About Instruments

From brass to woodwind, percussion to strings, this series introduces the different instruments we use to create music. Each colorful title opens with a table of contents and features short paragraphs and quick facts. Photo captions offer information on the different instruments, such as the djembe drums that “have been played at different events for hundreds of years” (Percussion Instruments), and explain how bands play music. Each title has an introduction to a sound type and its history, and then introduces an instrument from that sound. The series also highlights exceptional musicians: “Nandi Bushell is a British drummer… When she was 10 years old, she challenged world-famous drummer Dave Grohl to a drum battle. She won!” (Percussion Instruments). While the series does not offer a way to hear the different instruments, it will spark curiosity for readers. The final pages have a glossary and an index.

VERDICT: A colorful introductory series to instruments for elementary readers.