As you can tell from earlier posts, reading with our grands is truly one of my favorite activities. Recently, my mom shared an article about a new children’s book, The Wild Symphony by Dan Brown, (also known for The DaVinci Code), reviewed in the New York Times. I was intrigued. So, of course, ⌨ click-click-click on Amazon.  My three-year old granddaughter received it two days later.  Fortunately, this book is also available at public libraries. Many reads and recommendations later, it’s unanimous: The Wild Symphony hits a high note with grandkids. Here’s why…

The Wild Symphony Hits a High Note

When my northern granddaughter received her copy of The Wild Symphony, her mom was so excited.  She shared how she engaged my granddaughter with this delightful story and explained that the app that comes with the book plays different music as you turn each page. That’s all I needed to hear. ⌨ Click click click Amazon. Presto! My copy arrived two days later.

The story begins with Maestro Mouse introducing his “plan” to show the reader his animal friends and their instruments. He leads kids of all ages to join his wild ride, listening and looking and finding clues to many surprises along the way. The surprises are both musical and visual, and guaranteed to entertain.

With each page turn, the illustrations, the rhymes, the animals, the uniqueness of the app with music – this book has it all!!  How does the app work? Glad you asked. Dan Brown uses the latest technology, augmented reality, to provide readers with a musical and reading experience at the same time!  Using the QR code on the first page, you can download The Wild Symphony app. Instantly, you are transported to a musical world guided by the turn of a page. As you wave your smartphone over each page, the app recognizes what page you are on and plays music related to the animal theme and instrument shown on that page. Magic! And all you need is your smartphone to access this other-worldly experience.

Start Here for a Wild Ride

On the surface, The WIld Symphony is about adorable animals and a huge variety of instruments. If you look closer, you’ll find mindful messages on each page. Each message has wisdom to share.  For example, the ponies remind us to take our time and appreciate each day.  The bats caution us to be good listeners.

Another reason I love this book is that you can start anywhere. If you’ve got a short phone call with one of your grands, pick a page and just read about one animal’s adventures.  Whether you have 10 minutes or 30, this keeps on giving.  Also,  it can be entertaining with or without FaceTime. Even reading with two grands works well with this book!

Variations on the Theme

Here are some variations to try as you explore this treasure of a book.

   Focus on the Instruments

• • Open the front cover and take turns naming the instruments.
  • Pick an instrument on a page and pretend to play.
  • Listening to the music, take turns guessing what kinds of instrument makes each sound. For example, is it a wind or a string instrument? What animal does it sound like?
  • Use real instruments at home or improvise with pots, pans and wooden spoons.

  Focus on the animals

• • Pick an animal.  What sounds does that animal make?
  • Take turns imitating animal sounds
  • Talk about what else the animal does that resembles a musical sound. For example, the jumping kangaroo or the chirping bird.

One virtual storytime with The Wild Symphony led me to our living room to reacquaint myself with our out-of-tune piano while my granddaughter took out her little piano and happily played along. A delicious duet.

Hidden Codes

Author Dan Brown’s special interest in codes and hidden messages are yet another layer to this book. Challenge your grand to find the hidden letters on each page… or they may notice them before you do! Each group of letters spells a musical instrument. Find the answers and more about this book on Brown’s website.

Creating Harmony

The many layers to this book invite readers into a rich world of colors, sounds and rhythms.  Adding music to the read-sharing connection creates opportunities to connect in new and creative ways.  As Dan Brown points out, “Music brings people together”. When you discover this book, I hope you agree, The Wild Symphony delivers that and much more.

What’s your favorite book that invites kids to find joy in music? Share your favorite title by clicking on the Comments section below.