The Planets

The Story Orchestra

Jessica Courtney-Tickle

$35

Hardback

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English

Frances Lincoln Publisher
14 November 2023

Children's & Educational; Picture storybooks; Interactive & activity books & packs; Music: general interest (Children's&YA)

Series: The Story Orchestra

ABBEY'S BOOKSELLER PICK ----- This latest addition to the fabulous Story Orchestra range takes Gustav Holst’s orchestral suite The Planets and weaves a story about two children, Helen and Tim, who go on a night journey through the solar system, soaring through space before heading home. High quality, 10-second sound clips, information at the back about the composition and composer, and appealing illustrations make this a lively introduction to beautiful music! Lindy

This tale is about a brother and sister who adventure deep into our solar system. Our story begins one night as Helen and Tim get ready for bed in their new space rocket bunk beds... but sleep will have to wait as they magically blast up, up, up into the glittering night sky, leaving planet Earth far below them.

Helen and Tim journey here, there and everywhere through our majestic solar system. They soar past the cold rocky surface of Mars as it rises into towering peaks and plunges into deep canyons and glide through a bumpy asteroid belt made of icy rocks. They blast deeper into our solar system, exploring the dazzling stars and astounding planets along the way. But now it really is time to head home! As the rocket speeds towards Earth, Tim and Helen watch the sun rise over their planet.

As you and your little one journey through the magical scenes, you will press the buttons to hear 10 excerpts from the score. Readers should press firmly on the pages to activate the sounds, encouraging interactive learning and introducing children to this beautiful piece of music.

At the back of the book, find a short biography of the composer, Gustav Holst, with details about his composition of The Planets. Next to this, you can replay the musical excerpts and, for each of them, read a discussion of the instruments, rhythms and musical techniques that make them so powerful. A glossary defines musical terms.

The Story Orchestra series brings classical music to life for children through gorgeously illustrated retellings of classic ballet, opera and program music stories paired with 10-second sound clips of orchestras playing from their musical scores.

The perfect primer to introduce children to classical music.

Also available from the Story Orchestra series: Four Seasons in One Day, The Nutcracker, The Sleeping Beauty, Swan Lake, Carnival of the Animals, The Magic Flute, In the Hall of the Mountain King and I Can Play (vol 1).

Manufacturer's note: please pull the white tab out of the back of the book before use. Sound buttons require a firm push in exact location to work, which may be hard for young children. All sound clips are 10 seconds long.

By: Jessica Courtney-Tickle
Imprint: Frances Lincoln Publisher
Country of Publication: United Kingdom
Dimensions: Height: 265mm, Width: 304mm,
ISBN: 9780711289161
ISBN 10: 0711289166
Series: The Story Orchestra
Pages: 24
Publication Date: 14 November 2023
Recommended Age: From 5 to 8 years
Audience: Children/juvenile , English as a second language
Format: Hardback
Publisher's Status: Active

Jessica Courtney-Tickle is an illustrator who graduated from Kingston University in July 2014. Her absolute favorite thing to draw or paint is nature, finding a focus on foliage of any kind as well as children's stories about adventure and exploration. She also has a penchant for drawing theater from music makers to dancers and even singing animals. Jessica is most influenced by vintage picture books, travel posters, and folk art as well as numerous painters and printmakers.

Reviews for The Planets (The Story Orchestra)

"Music makes this engaging, fact-packed story about the planets even more noteworthy. * Good Housekeeping, Best Nonfiction Books for Kids Award 2023 * ""It would make a fantastic gift for space or music enthusiasts this holiday season."" * Book Riot * “Discover the music of Holst’s “The Planets” with this sound book, which has 10 clips of music to listen to, as well as gorgeous illustrations of Jupiter, Mars and more. Part of the Story Orchestra series, which has sold more than 700,000 copies, says Frances Lincoln.” * The Bookseller * ""Beautifully illustrated interactive sound book."" * The Daily Telegraph *"