"The Baby Chicks" is a popular song in many Spanish-speaking countries. In this beautifully illustrated book the artist used watercolors for the hen and her little chicks, and then created a collage for every page. The rough edges and transparent colors add depth and movement, so it's easy to imagine scooping up one of the fluffy chicks and hearing its little song. The orchestra arrangement, especially the introduction and bridge, brings to mind the sound of baby chicks moving around the yard. These lovable chicks give their wings a try in the Musicmap section: when children hear the oboe playing the melody, they love to follow the chicks in time with the music. You will find the lyrics in both English and Spanish, with an English pronunciation at the back of the book.

"Burung Kakatua" is a folk song from Indonesia about the cockatoo (kakatua) and the village grandmother who listens to it sing. The book is illustrated with photographs of three-dimensional compositions formed of clay. You will be charmed by the beautiful cockatoo and surprised by the lifelike expressions on the grandmother's face as the bird serenades her. Sing along with the children you hear on the CD -- one from the United States singing in English and one from Indonesia singing the original lyrics. Hear the sound of the drum during the chorus ("tredung") and the call of the cockatoo during the flute solo. Relax and let the wind carry you with the birds on the Musicmap pages, freely making music for all to enjoy.

The Musicmap method is a fun and effective way for young children to learn pre-reading musical notation. Musicmap Series: Carnival of the Animals is an innovative resource that is based upon the idea of active music listening. The musical themes are adapted from the orchestral work by French composer Camille Saint Saens. Of the 14 pieces in the suite, Royal March of the Lion; Turtle; Kangaroos; The Cuckoo in the Depths of the Woods and The Swan were chosen for these hands-on listening activities. Musicmap Series: Carnival of the Animals encourages children to actively interact with the essence of the music by simultaneously seeing and touching symbolic notes. Using the senses in this way offers an unsurpassed opportunity for children to enjoy classical music, as well as to sharpen their concentration skills. Designed by music and early childhood specialist Dr. Hyun-Kyung Youm, the five books in the kit introduce the Musicmap concept, in which pictures and patterns visually present the length and pitch of the notes of the melody in each piece. The sensory materials attached to each symbolic note express the feelings of the tone and allow children to learn naturally by touch as part of the hands-on activities. Included in the kit are music activity programs for the teacher's convenience, a teacher's guide containing suggested preliminary and follow-up activities for each of the five animal themes, as well as main activities. There are seven activities for each animal, for a total of 35 activities in the series. The enclosed CD was recorded by the Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra, which is gaining recognition as a world-class orchestra. Musicmap Series: Carnival of the Animals has been receiving high praise from education experts in music, art, literature, fine arts, and related areas. It can be used in elementary schools, preschools, day-care centers and music institutions. Regardless of group size, these materials will help children to develop their imagination, creativity, concentration and musicianship. The kit includes:

• MusicmapTeacher Book
• 20 1/2" x 30" poster (features all the pictures of the Musicmap book so it can be used for group lessons
• Folder (smaller linear version of the Musicmap book that may be mounted on a wall)
• 5 beautifully designed hardcover Musicmap books - Kangaroo, Turtle, Cuckoo, Swan, and Lion
• 5 Kangaroo finger-puppets
• 5 Turtle finger-puppets
• 5 Swan finger-puppets
• 5 Lion headbands
• 5 Cuckoo pop-ups
• 1 card for each animal - Kangaroo, Turtle, Cuckoo, Swan, and Lion
• 1 card for each instrument - piano, violin, viola, cello, double bass, and clarinet
• composer flashcard portrait of Camille Saint-Saens
• CD recording of five of the 14 movements of Carnival of the Animals recorded by the Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra
• CD-ROM video demonstration of how to use the Musicmapbooks.

This is innovation, musical expression and artistic design at its best.

This joyful song from West Africa calls you to a land of warm-hearted people and natural beauty. "Funga Alafia" is a song of welcome, peace, and gratitude. Play the CD, open the book, and let the dynamic sounds of the orchestra with the lively beat of percussion and the vivid illustrations pull you into the pages. Ride a camel! Watch a herd of elephants! Laugh and sing with the children of Africa! The detail in the faces of the children and the various animals inspire imaginary adventures full of fun and excitement. The special orchestra arrangement features a marimba solo using the Musicmap section. The huge trees filled with elephants delight children, as they touch each one in time with the sounds of the marimba.

"The Goldfish Family" is based on the melody of the traditional Japanese song Koinobori. Have you ever watched fish move through water? Hearing the smooth performance of the orchestra, you can imagine every gentle bend and curve of the goldfish happily swimming together. The artist used a special ink technique to create the shimmering surface of the water and the swimming fish below. Even the words ripple across the page as the fish play in the water. When children listen to the viola perform the melody during the Musicmap section, they can follow each fish as it glides among the underwater plants.

Research has shown that Itsy Bitsy Spider is the song most often sung by mothers in the United States to their young children. It is a traditional American finger-play song. In the orchestral arrangement, specifically the introduction and coda, you will hear a scale that brings to mind a spider climbing up and down. These notes engage children's imaginations. The illustrator used computer graphics and multimedia to create spiders that are cute, colorful and appeal to children.

This song originated in Germany, but other countries have written new lyrics for the tune. In the United States, the song is about a family rowing a boat and having a happy time. This delightful mood is reflected in the arrangement of the words on the page as well as by the lovely watercolor illustrations. The melody is easy for children to follow and the orchestra beautifully expresses the song's playfulness. Children love to follow the melody in the Musicmap section, with its many striped fish swimming in the water.

The song Moon is from Korea and the lyrics were translated into English. The book and the CD recording are bilingual, with words in both Korean and English. An English transliteration is provided so children who don't know Korean can sing the original lyrics. Throughout field testing in the United States and Korea, children obviously enjoyed being able to sing in a second language. The reflective nature of the moon is wonderfully conveyed by the illustrator's oil painting techniques and the Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra's performance.

Oh, Little Rabbit is a popular Greek folk song about a cute but mischievous bunny. As you listen to the lively orchestra arrangement, it is easy to picture a little rabbit hopping along and getting into trouble at every turn. The lyrics are provided in English and Greek, with an English pronunciation at the back of the book, and a young native speaker sings each version of the song. These features make it easier for children to sing along while listening to the included CD. The cute rabbits on the Musicmap pages are fun to follow, your fingers hopping from one to another in time with the bassoon. Inspired by Greek mythology, the artist created a world of clouds and imagination by first sketching the images, then completing the scenes with computer painting.

Add fun and excitement to your music classes with these high-quality fingerpuppets and props. The set includes: 1 lion headband; 1 cuckoo pop-up, 1 kangaroo finger puppet; 1 swan finger puppet and 1 turtle fingerpuppet. These plush props are hand-washable and made to last. They are perfect for individual or group activities, including movement and dance, story time, and make-believe. Recommended for use with the Koomzaal Musicmap Series: Carnival of the Animals curriculum kit.