Can You Hear It?
by Dr. William Lach, Metropolitan Museum of Art and Abrams Books for Young Readers, 2006If you haven't noticed by now, I love books that cross categories, integrating music and literature, art and music, or history and literature. This book with CD does a beautiful job of combining art and music appreciation for children. Each track of music is paired with a corresponding piece of artwork from the Metropolitan Museum of Art, as well as questions that are designed to point out musical details and images. There is also an introduction to musical instruments and notes on both the art and music.
Music and art pairings include Copland with Remington, Vivaldi with Brueghel the Younger, Rossini with Currier and Ives. The musical selections are classic and very enjoyable--but the favorite at our house? Rossini's "Duetto Buffo di Due Gatti". (Watch this video and I think you'll see what I mean.)
