Rating: 
Summary: The Philharmonic Gets Dressed
Review: Friday night, it's growing dark outside, and most people are on their way home from work. "And here and there, uptown and downtown and across the bridges of the city, one hundred and five people are getting dressed to go to work." Author Karla Kuskin follows the 105 members, ninety-two men and thirteen women, of the Philharmonic Orchestra as they prepare for their evening's work. Watch them bathe, powder, shave and dress, the men in their tuxedos and the women in long black dresses and skirts. See them put on their outerwear, coats, scarves, boots, hats, and gloves, pack up their cases of many shapes and sizes, say good-bye to family and friends, and head to the concert hall. At 8:25, 104 men and women are on stage with their instruments, seated, and ready to perform. Number 105, the conductor, enters, steps up on the podium, raises his baton and "the music floats and rises." "It is 8:30 on Friday night, and the one hundred and five men and women dressed completely in black and white have gone to work turning the black notes on white pages into a symphony. They are the members of the Philharmonic Orchestra, and their work is to play. Beautifully." Ms Kuskin and award winning illustrator, Marc Simont give readers a detailed, behind the scenes view of the musicians and all they do to get ready for an evening performance. The simple and straightforward text is fascinating and engaging, and complemented by Mr Simont's expressive and humorous cartoon-like artwork that brings out the personality of each and every musician. Perfect for youngsters 4-8, The Philharmonic Gets Dressed is a delightful little treasure all budding musicians will beg to read again and again. And as the conductor drops his baton and you turn the last page, you can almost hear the symphony begin.
Rating: 
Summary: surprisingly good
Review: I am a music lover not a musician, so some years ago, when I thought of buying "The Philharmonic Gets Dressed" for my kid who was starting music lessons, I passed it over, thinking it was not about music.Guess what? I was so wrong. My offspring, now a teen who has been in an advanced orchestra for years, went out bought it for self. Absolutely loves it. "This book rocks, mom, why didn't you buy it for me? The picture at the end says all there is to say about makig beautiful music."
Rating:
Summary: The Philharmonic Gets Dressed
Review: I am a music teacher and I was purchasing books for my classroom. I was very disappointed with my purchase. The illustrations would not be appropriate to show in any classroom without causing quite a few laughs.
I think I could share the book with my own children , but would not recommend this for any teachers out there.
Rating: 
Summary: Inappropriate illustrations ruin what could have been...
Review: I am a part-time teacher, and I do a unit on Orchestras in the spring. I decided to pick up a copy of this book from the library (after reading some great reviews on it) so I could see for myself. I always preview materials cautiously since I have parents of 1st and 2nd graders that I have to answer to. Thank goodness I did my homework! The first 10 pages (5 double-page spreads) show illustrations of people getting dressed. This includes illustrations of both men and women partially naked with only a small portion (the important parts) of their bodies covered. For example, it shows a man from the back pulling up his boxers, with part of his crack showing. It shows a woman snapping her bra on, with her breasts pointing sharply upward. It shows a woman with no clothes on pouring powder on her body, and only the spray of the powder covering her private parts. These are just a few specific examples of maybe 10 inappropriate illustrations. While this could have been done tastefully, it was NOT, in my opinion. I am not a prude. I just feel that a picture is worth a thousand words. Speaking of words...at one point the text talks about "13 women put on different kinds of complicated underwear: underpants, panty hose...and brassieres." Hello...what does this have to do with the Philharmonic??? All of that is a shame, since the text does continue on and have that intriguing quality that children love...telling about the everyday things that go on behind the scenes to prepare for a great event, the Philharmonic. If you are a teacher, I do NOT recommend this book for your classroom. If you are a parent, preview this book from the library first before dishing out your money. There are MANY other better books that teach about the orchestra.
Rating:
Summary: Disregard these unmerciful reviews!
Review: I could almost throw a temper tantrum when I hear of readers who consider this book in any way inappropriate for children or unsuited to a musical or a general teaching environment. The Philharmonic Gets Dressed is a great picture book for younger children, and more, for anyone who's ever shown interest (or maybe, just chuckled) in going to symphony concerts, watching players in the orchestra, or even watching themselves in the mirror as they brush their teeth and put on their clothes for the day. The Philharmonic Gets Dressed was one of my favorite books as a kid; I loved following its witty illustrations all the way through the story of how orchestra members prepare their outfits and their instruments for a big evening concert. Now that I make a living as a professional violinist, I can't help thinking a little of its good musical humor has stayed with me. A big bravo to Karla Kushkin and her illustrator from someone who has always enjoyed the symphony orchestra.
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Summary: I loved this book growing up!
Review: I just found this book in a box of my old books. My daughter was fascinated! In addition to teaching the ideas behind getting dressed, and counting really high, the illustrations (a little reminiscent of some New Yorker cartoons) are delightful. This is a terrific book for about 2-15, and of course, for adults.
Rating:
Summary: Disregard these unmerciful reviews!
Review: My son began to show an early interest in music as a baby, and we've been delighted at the wonderful storybooks about music. This one focuses on how the musicians prepare for their evening at work. The illustrations are charming and full of the personality of each individual musician depicted. This book does a wonderful job of showing that the "show" is not the only thing, and that many hours of preparation go into getting ready for work! I highly recommend this book for children who already love music, for teachers of music who want to show that there is an opportunity for people to "play" for work, or for professional musicians who have heard, "What do you do for a living?" one too many times.
Rating:
Summary: Inspired description of the hidden world behind work
Review: My son began to show an early interest in music as a baby, and we've been delighted at the wonderful storybooks about music. This one focuses on how the musicians prepare for their evening at work. The illustrations are charming and full of the personality of each individual musician depicted. This book does a wonderful job of showing that the "show" is not the only thing, and that many hours of preparation go into getting ready for work! I highly recommend this book for children who already love music, for teachers of music who want to show that there is an opportunity for people to "play" for work, or for professional musicians who have heard, "What do you do for a living?" one too many times.
Rating:
Summary: The Title Says It All
Review: This is a great book for toddlers and preschoolers who are learning to put on their clothes. It is not a book on music, but on dressing, just as the title states. My son enjoys looking at the different ways people shower and put on their clothes and comparing how he bathes and puts on his clothes.
Rating:
Summary: The Title Says It All
Review: This is a great book for toddlers and preschoolers who are learning to put on their clothes. It is not a book on music, but on dressing, just as the title states. My son enjoys looking at the different ways people shower and put on their clothes and comparing how he bathes and puts on his clothes.
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