LITTLE CREATURES

Pianist and author Gerhard (Simply Fantastic, 2014) returns with a new picture book exploring classical music through the sounds and movements of such “little creatures” as bees, fleas, and frogs, as interpreted by composers all over the world.

Translated from Spanish, this book may help demystify the creepy-crawlies kids encounter and perhaps spark a youngster’s love of nature and observation. An engaging assortment of facts about small animals and insects accompanies acclaimed Mexican illustrator Gómez Morin’s whimsical, surreal, and slightly creepy artwork. Each full-bleed spread echoes characters or themes from its coordinating piece of music: The “Wasp” overture from Ralph Vaughan Williams’ “Aristophanic Suite” is paired with illustrations that resemble ancient Greek art, for instance. The featured composers span several hundred years, from the early 1500s (Josquin des Prez) to early 2000s (Kaija Saariaho), and they are predominantly male. An audio CD containing two-minute clips of each piece is included. The CD, combined with the visual components of the book, is somewhat accessible to younger audiences, but the complexity and formatting of the text itself (especially the small font) seem best suited for older readers. It’s a thorough resource for classrooms and homes alike; extensive backmatter includes a listening guide featuring short analyses of each piece, composer biographies, a glossary of classical music terminology, and a timeline.

An ambitious feast for the senses.