Starred Review for Kirkus Reviews

Thirteen young musicians of diverse ethnic background ready themselves to play their traditional Chinese instruments on stage in this informative and gracefully illustrated twin debut. Jiang, a composer, presents upbeat, free-verse poems in the children's voices about their instruments or their mental states: "When I tune my erhu, / I only need to listen to / Two strings. So easy!" These are paired to sidebar historical and descriptive notes, associated legends and characterizations of the distinctive sounds each instrument makes. Chu's illustrations are rendered in clearly drawn lines and soft, harmonious colors. They depict each musician in turn playing his or her instrument in rehearsals or solo performances with, often, imagined natural landscapes, animals or mythical beasts floating behind. The preparation culminates in a concert seen in an elevated view of orchestra and audience, followed by a final lineup to take a bow beneath a closing note on characteristics of classical Chinese music. From the booming paigu to the delicate strings of the ruan, the lutelike pipa and the yangqin, or hammered "butterfly harp," a lively medley that will expand the musical boundaries of most young audiences. (bibliography) (Informational picture book/poetry. 6-9)

Horn Book

From the erhu to the suona, this unique, boldly illustrated book introduces Chinese instruments. Children are pictured playing the instruments, while short, lyrical poems of varying styles pair with longer passages describing the instruments' uses, their histories, and other information. The book culminates in a final impressive spread depicting the children's orchestra performing in a grand concert hall.

Kirkus Reviews (Fri Oct 04 00:00:00 CDT 2024)

Thirteen young musicians of diverse ethnic background ready themselves to play their traditional Chinese instruments on stage in this informative and gracefully illustrated twin debut. Jiang, a composer, presents upbeat, free-verse poems in the children's voices about their instruments or their mental states: "When I tune my erhu, / I only need to listen to / Two strings. So easy!" These are paired to sidebar historical and descriptive notes, associated legends and characterizations of the distinctive sounds each instrument makes. Chu's illustrations are rendered in clearly drawn lines and soft, harmonious colors. They depict each musician in turn playing his or her instrument in rehearsals or solo performances with, often, imagined natural landscapes, animals or mythical beasts floating behind. The preparation culminates in a concert seen in an elevated view of orchestra and audience, followed by a final lineup to take a bow beneath a closing note on characteristics of classical Chinese music. From the booming paigu to the delicate strings of the ruan, the lutelike pipa and the yangqin, or hammered "butterfly harp," a lively medley that will expand the musical boundaries of most young audiences. (bibliography) (Informational picture book/poetry. 6-9)

School Library Journal (Thu May 01 00:00:00 CDT 2014)

K-Gr 3 Each poem in this collection highlights a different traditional Chinese instrument and is told in the voice of a child playing it. A variety of forms is used to explore subjects, such as how the instrument sounds, how it feels to play it, and the details of practice and performance. Each spread features an illustrated poem and a sidebar with more information about the instrument, including its history and sound. Chu's pencil and digital illustrations frame the poems into a story of children from many ethnic backgrounds getting ready and performing in a recital. The focus on children practicing and performing serves as a good introduction to traditional Chinese music and makes the potentially obscure subject matter more accessible and enjoyable to a wider audience. Adults will want to have audio resources on hand, as readers will undoubtedly want to hear the featured instruments. Jennifer Rothschild, Arlington County Public Libraries, VA