The Oboe Goes Boom Boom Boom
Author(s): Colleen AF Venable
No matter where you are, you can find the perfect instrument and join this band! A winning pick for young readers who adore books by Jory John, Mac Barnett, and Christian Robinson.
The band director knows everything about all the instruments, and he can’t wait to help find the perfect one for you. But an irrepressible young girl keeps interrupting with enthusiastic BOOM BOOM BOOMS on her drum. At least until the band director introduces one instrument that’s even louder.
This laugh-out-loud picture book from National Book Award–longlisted author Colleen AF Venable is packed with boundless energy and giggle-worthy jokes—as well as information about eight instruments commonly played in school bands. Illustrator Lian Cho’s exuberant artwork matches the text note for note and practically leaps off the page.
This joyous picture book will leave young readers eager to pick up an instrument and learn how to play! The Oboe Goes Boom Boom Boom celebrates music and will entertain young readers in the home and classroom alike.
Each child in the band is inspired by a real-life musician, and biographies are included at the end of the book.
Review(s):
"Equal parts comical and deeply informative. . . . Venable’s text is interwoven with threads of humor, charm, and creativity. . . . Cho’s bright, eye-popping illustrations create a happy chaos on the page, and one can almost imagine the cacophony of a room full of children practicing their instruments. An altogether delightful introduction to musical instruments."
“As a band director instructs the new band members on the different instruments they can play, he must also contend with a very enthusiastic drummer. . . . There is an irrepressible feeling of energy in the illustrations . . . further emphasized by playful and colorful typography. . . . A lively introduction to some musical instruments.”
“Each time jolly-looking band director Mr. V. . . . gives a student the opportunity to play their instrument of choice, he’s interrupted by little Felicity, who has already discovered her love of whaling on an enormous drum. . . . Frisky typography and balloons of musical notation float through the air, and visual nudges and jokes elevate the story . . . The afterword includes short, inclusive bios of diverse real-life classical, rock, and jazz musicians upon whom the book’s characters are based.”
“Band director Mr. V introduces a diverse class of students to seven instruments. Mr. V places each in its musical family, sometimes offering a little history, and briefly describes how it works, how to play, and how it sounds. . . . The lighthearted narrative and lively cartoon illustrations balance humor and information nicely. Back matter provides some biographical information about seven professional musicians (who make cameos as the students).”
IndieBound Indie Next List, School Library Journal Best Book, Bank Street Children’s Best Books of the Year
ISBN: 9780062494375