Rating: 
Summary: The Night, Magic, and Music.....
Review: "The rain has stopped./Night is coming./The pond awakes with/quiet humming. // Maestro frog hops to the mound/As night begins to fill with sound./Peepers peep pe-ep, peep, peep./They have had a good day's sleep..." Lit by fireflies and stars "...twinkling to the tune/As they dance around the moon..." the concert begins. Frogs of all shapes and sizes join together to make music in the marsh. These are the beautiful, wondrous sounds that begin quietly and slowly at dusk, and build, louder and faster, as the night stretches on towards dawn..... Marianne Berkes' inspiring, lyrical text is rich in imagery and magic and is filled with energy, rhythm, rhyme, and marvelous sound effects. Robert Noreika's evocative watercolor illustrations dazzle, and together word and art bring the marsh and its inhabitants to life. Part nature book, part music book, Marsh Music includes a glossary of musical terms and informative descriptions of the eleven types of frogs we meet in the "orchestra". This is a lovely and engaging picture book, perfect for bedtime reading, that youngsters 4-8 definitely shouldn't miss. "But now it's dawn./The stars are gone./Maestro puts down his baton. // That's all my friends./It's time to go./Tonight there'll be/another show."
Rating:
Summary: The Night, Magic, and Music.....
Review: "The rain has stopped./Night is coming./The pond awakes with/quiet humming. // Maestro frog hops to the mound/As night begins to fill with sound./Peepers peep pe-ep, peep, peep./They have had a good day's sleep..." Lit by fireflies and stars "...twinkling to the tune/As they dance around the moon..." the concert begins. Frogs of all shapes and sizes join together to make music in the marsh. These are the beautiful, wondrous sounds that begin quietly and slowly at dusk, and build, louder and faster, as the night stretches on towards dawn..... Marianne Berkes' inspiring, lyrical text is rich in imagery and magic and is filled with energy, rhythm, rhyme, and marvelous sound effects. Robert Noreika's evocative watercolor illustrations dazzle, and together word and art bring the marsh and its inhabitants to life. Part nature book, part music book, Marsh Music includes a glossary of musical terms and informative descriptions of the eleven types of frogs we meet in the "orchestra". This is a lovely and engaging picture book, perfect for bedtime reading, that youngsters 4-8 definitely shouldn't miss. "But now it's dawn./The stars are gone./Maestro puts down his baton. // That's all my friends./It's time to go./Tonight there'll be/another show."
Rating:
Summary: Introduction to Ryhme, Music
Review: A great introduction to musical terms and different species of frog. Fun, musical, magical.
Rating:
Summary: Fabulous Frog Book
Review: As a Media Specialist I found the book to be exactly what children enjoy. It has the right combination of beautiful illustrations with words that have a lyrical, almost musical quality. It engages children both visually and auditorily. As a Floridian I found it entertaining to read a book about the all to familiar sounds of this great state. All in all I think this is a lovely addition to any library and/or thematic unit on frogs/amphibians.
Rating:
Summary: From School Library Journal and Booklist
Review: As the author of this book, I'm proud to share the reviews from December "School Library Journal" and "Booklist." School Library Journal Review: "PreS-Gr3 - As night falls on the pond, an unusual orchestra assembles. As fireflies light up the stage, Maestro bullfrog leads the chorus frogs, spring peepers, American toads, and others in an outdoor symphony. Berkes incorporates sounds such as "woink-woink" and "twang" into the rhythmic text that recreates the atmosphere of a lazy summer evening. Noreika's watercolor illustrations bring to life the amphibious musicians as well as the other animals in the audience. Shades of green, brown and blue capture the watery setting. A glossary of musical terms Berkes uses in her concert decription provides helpful definitions. She also offers a brief paragraph about each kind of frog and toad appearing in "the cast." MARSH MUSIC has the visual and verbal pizzazz to make it a read-it-again treat." From Booklist: "Ages 5-8. Berkes turns the night songs of all kinds of frogs into a concert, with a bullfrog, Maestro, assuming the role of conductor. As the illustrations move from twilight to dawn, Maestro supervises a symphony of frogs plunking spiders webs, playing pond instruments, and making sounds ("woink-woink-woink," "gronk-gronk-gronk") that illustrate tempo, from moderato to animato. Noreika's watercolor paintings of marsh life--plants, animals, insects, and even mist--are stunningly detailed and luminous. They perfectly complement this book about nature and music, brought together by the singing talents of frogs. An entertaining way to teach children about both nature and music. A glossary of musical terms, and descriptions of the frog musicians are appended."
Rating:
Summary: Marsh Music
Review: As the author of this book, I'm proud to share the reviews from December "School Library Journal" and "Booklist." School Library Journal Review: "PreS-Gr3 - As night falls on the pond, an unusual orchestra assembles. As fireflies light up the stage, Maestro bullfrog leads the chorus frogs, spring peepers, American toads, and others in an outdoor symphony. Berkes incorporates sounds such as "woink-woink" and "twang" into the rhythmic text that recreates the atmosphere of a lazy summer evening. Noreika's watercolor illustrations bring to life the amphibious musicians as well as the other animals in the audience. Shades of green, brown and blue capture the watery setting. A glossary of musical terms Berkes uses in her concert decription provides helpful definitions. She also offers a brief paragraph about each kind of frog and toad appearing in "the cast." MARSH MUSIC has the visual and verbal pizzazz to make it a read-it-again treat." From Booklist: "Ages 5-8. Berkes turns the night songs of all kinds of frogs into a concert, with a bullfrog, Maestro, assuming the role of conductor. As the illustrations move from twilight to dawn, Maestro supervises a symphony of frogs plunking spiders webs, playing pond instruments, and making sounds ("woink-woink-woink," "gronk-gronk-gronk") that illustrate tempo, from moderato to animato. Noreika's watercolor paintings of marsh life--plants, animals, insects, and even mist--are stunningly detailed and luminous. They perfectly complement this book about nature and music, brought together by the singing talents of frogs. An entertaining way to teach children about both nature and music. A glossary of musical terms, and descriptions of the frog musicians are appended."
Rating:
Summary: A Masterpiece
Review: Berkes masterfully integrates music and nature in this entertaining story. Thoroughly educational on all types of amphibians, as well as musical terminology. Berkes's excellent word choices and rhythmic language engrosses the reader while the outstanding watercolor illustrations captivate the mind. Although the reading level states K - 3rd grade, this high content book can be enlightening to all ages. As a high school educator, I have recommended this book to environmental science and music teachers. Considering the ending, I eagerly anticipate a sequel to this book.
Rating:
Summary: Simply delightful
Review: I purchased this book for my grandchildren and they just love it! We read it over and over again. The story is fun, whimsical as well as educational. All children seem to love frogs, ponds and music and this book takes you into the night and makes you feel like part of a wonderful musical extravaganza. We especially enjoy the rhyming text and the illustrations are fantastic!
Rating:
Summary: Simply delightful
Review: I purchased this book for my grandchildren and they just love it! We read it over and over again. The story is fun, whimsical as well as educational. All children seem to love frogs, ponds and music and this book takes you into the night and makes you feel like part of a wonderful musical extravaganza. We especially enjoy the rhyming text and the illustrations are fantastic!
Rating:
Summary: Marsh Music a Winner!
Review: Kudos to first time author, Marianne Berkes, on Marsh Music. Berkes smoothly incorporates so many components beneficial for children: terrific writing, a great rhythm/lyrical quality, interesting subject matter, educational information, and imaginative illustrations to support the story. As a high school English teacher, I am not only encouraging the elementary schools in my district to purchase this book, I am using it to demonstrate and encourage the writing of poetry in my own classes. As a mother, I can attest to children's genuine enjoyment of the book. We look forward to your next book!
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