Dylan Pritchett

The First Music is set in Africa among the safari animals. It's important at a young age to first and foremost introduce students to all parts of the world, no matter how small. Language wise this book helps broaden a child's schema of words. In the story many different words are used to describe sounds and actions beyond words such as: "walk, talk, sit, and loud". In the place of the words are, "hooted, screeched, yelped, peered, raised, moaned, and rustled". All of these help the child add words to their immensely growing vocabulary at this time. The "rhythm" of the story entertains the kids as the reader would have to do their best to sing the rhythm the animals make in the safari. On an emotional, moral level the children's focus are drawn to the frogs. The frogs cannot partake in the music making because their legs and hands are too short so they must watch and listen the other animals. Eventually, the frogs realize that their voices are a musical instrument that they possess and can join making music with the others. This is one of the biggest lessons in childhood that everyone is unique and can contribute in their own way. Many children watch others and want to do what others do but can't for various reasons. The frogs situations and outcome in this story remind children that everyone has their own special talents.… (meer)

The various African animals create music by combining their sounds. All the animals join in, except for the frogs. The frogs are silent and only listen because they feel that they have nothing to contribute. One day the frogs finally decide to make their "reeeep" sounds and add a beautiful beat to the African animal music. The animals, including the frogs, are happy with the beautiful music that is being mad. The illustrations of this story are what really brings African culture to the reader's attention. They are bright and geometric. The underlying theme of this story is about courage. The frogs finally find enough courage to sing with the other animals and they end up creating something beautiful. If the frogs had never spoken up the African animals would have remained deprived of this special music. I would read this story to students during a study of African culture. I could have students do an activity in which groups are assigned to be different animals and then have them sing or play simple instruments apart and together.… (meer)