The Day the Music Stopped

PreS-K—A mix of endearing fleecy puppets, quality computer-generated graphics, and professional music set the stage for a clever introduction to music. The opening scene shows a real-time cat and puppet Juno playing a red piano and singing to her toddler brother Rai Rai. Then the siblings are off for an adventure in Harmonia Springs, a colorful town of musical instrument-adorned buildings, a train running along xylophone tracks, and four other Muppet-like puppets. Murphy, a worm, demonstrates a "shush" machine he is developing to help keep the library quiet, but a button on his contraption is mistakenly pushed and causes all musical sounds to cease. When the band of puppets roams Harmonia Springs searching for music, they find three birds who can provide melody, four frogs who are adept at harmony, and the train to produce rhythm. All sounds blend delightfully to restore music to the town. Musical vocabulary is used throughout. There are original compositions sung by the puppets and segments of classical symphonies performed by an orchestra. A nice wrap-up finishes the adventure and Juno and Rai Rai return home. An interactive feature follows to reinforce music concepts presented in the story, enticing viewers to sing, name instruments, dance, and try some rhythms. The third section shows an item from the video with its name written in English, Spanish, and French, and then pronounced in these languages with time for children to repeat the words. With bright colors, clear voices, and child-friendly music, this program is a delectable feast for preschool eyes and ears.—Jennifer Ward, Albany Public Library, NY