Book Reviews: Where Are All The Instruments? European Orchestra

Where Are All The Instruments? is the story of an orchestra who come together to rehearse, only to find all their instrument cases empty. It is up to the Why Squad – an intrepid group of kids – to travel all over the world and into space to find the instruments. In the process, they learn fun facts about the instruments. EYFS teachers are encouraged to extend the book with kinaesthetic activities, perhaps hiding model instruments in the sandpit, in a space or jungle display, to help children notice their characteristics through discovery and comparison. An accompanying activity book including join-the-dots, handwriting, counting and more is also available.

Inclusivity is central to the storytelling – the orchestra is made up of people of all ethnicities and physical abilities and is directed by a black female conductor. It is called the Jumo Orchestra: Jumo being short for Ajumose, which means ‘together’ in Yoruba. Additionally, Holder makes clear that we are talking about a European orchestra; after all, Orchestra Baobab didn't feature any clarinets or violins.

The Why Squad is intended to be a group in which children see themselves reflected, and it is made up of two girls and two boys of black, Asian, and white ethnicities. Through the detailed, full-page illustrations, we follow them to the playground, beach, sea, desert, jungle, space, and back to the concert hall for the Jumo Orchestra's jubilant performance. This is a delightfully colourful and fresh approach to helping children discover the twenty-first century European orchestra. The one thing it lacks is a CD or streamed playlist to illustrate the sounds of the instruments individually and together, but assuming these can be found elsewhere, it definitely deserves a place in the music corner of your classroom.

Published by Holders Hill publishing, the book is £8.99; the activity book is £5.99; a bundle is £13.49.

ISBN: 9781999753054

www.nateholdermusic.com/books