Did you hear that?

Listen for a trumpet, a bass drum and cymbals, a cello, a piano, and so much more in this book about the sounds you can hear at the symphony! Transition young readers from board books to picture books with tear resistant pages. Big, bold text and an engaging question-and-answer format provide a fun and interactive story time experience.

About the Turn Without Tearing series: These interactive picture books use rich descriptive language, repetitive sounds, and bright illustrations to provide a perfect read-aloud experience. Made using a durable stone paper to prevent tearing as the pages are turned, these titles are designed to transition growing readers from board books to picture books with confidence.

Read & Sing: Search Flowerpot Kids on YouTube to enjoy a Read & Sing version of your favorite Turn Without Tearing songs. Follow along with your book as you watch the characters come to life and sing along to the song recorded by Billy Squirrel.

About the QR Code Used in Toot, Toot, Hoot, Hoot Sounds from the Symphony:

The QR code featured on the cover of this book can be scanned to play a sing-along video on the Flowerpot Kids YouTube channel. The QR code can be scanned using the embedded QR code reader in your Android phone, iPad, iPhone, or other smart device camera, making it easy for young readers and families to access.

Barbara Vagnozzi was born by the sea, on the Ligurian Riviera, and now lives in an ancient house on the hills just outside Bologna in Italy, with her English husband, two boys, and two happy Labradors. As far as she remembers she’s always had a pencil in her hands or behind her right ear. After a degree in Modern History and a specialization in Medieval Archeology she decided to become a professional illustrator. She’s never stopped being enthusiastic about her job, and every new project brings the opportunity for further experimentation and fun.

Jennifer Shand lives in Virginia with her husband Ryan. While growing up in the Shenandoah Valley of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Jennifer voraciously read fantasy and adventure stories and had fun taking adventures of her own. Jennifer enjoys reading; going for walks, hikes, and bike rides; and traveling; but most of all she loves to write.

Diverse sounds, puzzling (if not downright cacophonous) at first, are gradually revealed to be part of a performance. Together, they become music—and are followed by appreciative audience sounds: “woo woo woo, encore, encore, encore,” etc. All members of the orchestra and audience are lightly anthropomorphized animals of various sizes. Although they are said to be a “symphony” (usually a minimum of 50 members), this one comprises only six instruments: one brass, one string, four percussion, and a conductor wearing a bright floral cutaway tailcoat. However, the limited number will make it easier to pick out the instruments when listening to the sing-along YouTube video available via QR code. Sound-words are in colored type, and the textured line and color illustrations are vibrant, with aqua or orange tree trunks, a blue piano, and other kaleidoscopic choices. Some stereotypes prevail: Three animals wear flowers or bows, and one of these is referred to with a feminine pronoun; the conductor is referred to with a masculine pronoun. “Clashing” (cymbals) and “blasting” (trumpet) are used to describe instrument sounds, which are vivid, but not perhaps very musically appealing! Some children will need discussion of “presto” and “treble,” for example, but the Q&A format (“Did you hear that?”) works well. VERDICT The smallest music-lovers can use this book as a prelude to more complex musical adventures.