Children's books about music
From harmonicas to full orchestras, these stories hit just the right note. Also: how to be a fun mom and not worry about dinner.
Do you ever worry about being a fun mom?
I worry about it all the time.
I want my children to experience a magical childhood, but the impossibility of being a perfect mom endlessly guilts me.
However, I’ve recently had a breakthrough that is glaringly obvious, yet somehow the thought never occurred to me: The more joyful I am as a mom, the more fun my children have.
So much of motherhood is about survival—feeding, clothing, diapering and protecting little people who have no idea how to do anything for themselves. It is exhausting—so exhausting that we can forget how truly miraculous motherhood is. We are nurturing and shaping little hearts that will one day take flight and change the world. We can, and should, be joyful about that!
So, as I endeavor to infuse my daily life with more joy—and recognize the abundant joy that is already there—I plan to do the same here at Petite Reads!
For me, right now, joy means someone giving me an easy dinner idea, discovering simple, seamless ways to thrill my children, and little reminders of who I am as a person—because sometimes that gets lost when you are a parent.
With that in mind, here are three new features you can expect to see in each newsletter (along with my children’s favorite book recommendations like always, of course!) :
a simple, satisfying recipe (that is either gluten free or can be easily adapted to be gluten free)
an easy way to be a fun mom this week
a fun read for you
I hope these additions bring you a few moments of delight this week! And as always, please let me know what you think by commenting below!
Without any further ado, here is this week’s issue:
Recipe: Perfect pot roast (great for cold weeknights, Sunday family dinners, or a meal for new parents)
Fun mom inspo: Let your kids choose your nail polish each week. My kids alternate choosing, and I give them two or three colors to pick from. (Having clean, pretty nails makes me feel put together, and my little ones feel important making the color choice, so it’s a win for all of us!)
Fun read: Decluttering à la Français: The French Art of Minimal Living
Decluttering always seems like such a tiresome task, but I love that this article rebrands it as “expert curation:”
French homes — from sleek Parisian apartments to comfortable countryside cottages — are filled with life, personality and purpose. Decluttering in this context is an act of refinement, rooted in craftsmanship and practicality. Every basket, armoire and heirloom should carry intention, as well as being beautifully made. It’s less about what you remove and more about what you choose to keep.
“The Story Orchestra: Four Seasons in One Day” by Jessica Courtney Tickle
My kids love this one!
Introduce your little ones to Antonio Vivaldi’s classical masterpiece “The Four Seasons” as you follow a little girl and her dog through the four seasons in one day. On each page, there is a button to press that plays musical excerpts that bring the story to life. On the last page of the book, there are descriptions of the instruments, rhythms and musical techniques employed in the piece.
My kids love the story, music and detailed illustrations. I love that they are learning that music can tell a story. This book is a treat for all of us!
Recommended age: 2 - 5 years (per the publisher, but I think older children would enjoy as well, if not more)
“Zin! Zin! Zin! A Violin” written by Lloyd Moss, illustrated by Marjorie Priceman
This book is a whimsical way to introduce your littles to various musical instruments, their groupings (strings, brass, woodwinds, etc.) and counting in new ways (duet, trio, quartet, etc.). After reading this, we had to promptly look up all of the instruments on YouTube, which led to some fantastic discussions about how to play each instrument. It’s a fun and educational read!
Recommended age: 3 - 6 years
“Lentil” by Robert McCloskey
My family loves Robert McCloskey, and “Lentil” delightfully appeals to my five-year-old son’s silly side. Lentil is a young boy who can’t sing or whistle, but he desperately wants to make music. He saves his pennies and buys a harmonica, which ends up saving the day for a hometown hero’s return.
As someone who is not very musical but very much enjoys music, I appreciate how this book makes music accessible to anyone. And I think my children appreciate it, too! They don’t have trumpets or violins and they haven’t taken piano lessons yet, but they do have $3 harmonicas from Target, and they play those with all their hearts, just like Lentil.
Recommended age: 3 - 6 years
Does your family have favorite books about music? Please share them in the comments below!
“Do few things, but do them well. Simple joys are holy.”
— St. Francis de Sales
If you enjoyed this newsletter, you might like these, too:
Welcome to the Opera: Discover the Enchanting World of Opera with Mozart’s The Magic Flute by Carolyn Sloan is a favorite at our house. My son especially is into music and I like that this one is interactive. We shared it with my daughter's elementary school music teacher.
As a grandmother I really appreciate all these wonderful books to try with the littles. I especially think the musical ones would be a great addition. Thanks again:)