Book Week Planning for Symphony of Stories Part 2 : The orchestra creates a symphony.

This is an illustration of the orchestra from Sean Longcroft's book First Book About the Orchestra, but if you want a great illustration of an orchestra and you have Giles Laroche's book What's Inside?Fascinating Structures Around the World, there is a double spread of the Sydney Symphony Orchestra performing in the Sydney Opera House's Concert Hall for Queen Elizabeth II. I am going to photocopy it for my display.

There are so many fantastic picture books about orchestras. Let's start with 'an oldie, but goodie' The Philharmonic Gets Dressed  by Karla Kuskin and Marc Simont.

"It is almost Friday night. Outside, the dark is getting darker," and here and there around the city ninety-two men and thirteen women are getting dressed to go to work. First they bathe and put on their underwear. Then they don special black-and-white apparel. Then when the one hundred and five people are completely ready, each takes a musical instrument and travels to midtown. There, at 8:30 tonight, they will work together: playing."

Now for some others:

• Meet the Orchestra  by Ann Hayes and Karmen Thompson

The animal musicians slowly gather for the evening performance. Poetic descriptions suggest the sounds of the instruments, and lively watercolor illustrations capture the playful essence of each musician and musical instrument.

• First Book About the Orchestra by Sam Taplin & Sean Longcroft

Young children can discover the magic of the orchestra with this sound book. Each page has an embedded button to press to hear instruments from brass to drums, as well as the whole orchestra playing together.

• How to Build an Orchestra  by Mary Auld & Elisa Paganelli

This wonderfully illustrated story follows a conductor who is auditioning each instrument for his orchestra. Accompanied by music download links, follow our conductor on his journey and discover the beautiful music of an orchestra.

• A Child's Introduction to the Orchestra by Robert Levine & Meredith Hamilton  

With cheery narrator Orchestra Bob as their guide, kids are encouraged to listen, learn, and enjoy as they are introduced to the most powerful works from the greatest composers throughout history. He tells wacky stories about deaf composers and quirky musicians, and explores the inspirations behind monumental pieces.

• The Orchestra  by Mark Rubin & Alan Daniel

Introduces musical instruments, basic musical concepts and the symphonic orchestra. The very straight-forward text is accompanied by playful, but accurate, drawings. A number of musical concepts are explored, among them harmony, tempo and dynamics. The role of the composer and conductor are explored and each musical instrument described. A subplot, apparent only through the illustrations, shows two children who wend their way through the orchestra's rehearsal, visiting the instrument families, and culminates in a full-dress concert. 

• Orchestra by Avalon Nuovo & David Doran

Before there were DJs, rock stars, pop groups and jazz trios... there was the orchestra. Whether it takes centre stage or brings performances and motion pictures to life, the orchestra is the magificent original musical voice of the west. An illustrated guide to the orchestra, from the instruments that comprise it to some of the most groundbreaking composers and great modern works.

•  The Very Young Person's Guide to the Orchestra  by Tim Lihoreau

Follow Ava and Jayden on a magical journey as they discover the instruments of the orchestra and explore beautiful scenes inspired by the music. Young readers can discover instruments from the violin to the trumpet, and learn about the composers and their dazzling pieces. The spreads tell the story of the classical tune, while the sound button brings it to life.

• The Walkabout Orchestra  by Chloe Perarnau

The orchestra have an important concert to play... but all the musicians have gone walkabout! Can you help the Maestro and his faithful assistant to track them down using clues from their postcards? Take a trip from Reykjavik to Rio in this search-and-find tour of the world that introduces young readers to the instruments of the orchestra.