Marsh Music

"The rain has stopped./Night is coming./The pond awakes with/quiet humming. // Maestro frog hops to the mound/As night begins to fill with sound./Peepers peep pe-ep, peep, peep./They have had a good day's sleep..." Lit by fireflies and stars "...twinkling to the tune/As they dance around the moon..." the concert begins. Frogs of all shapes and sizes join together to make music in the marsh. These are the beautiful, wondrous sounds that begin quietly and slowly at dusk, and build, louder and faster, as the night stretches on towards dawn..... Marianne Berkes' inspiring, lyrical text is rich in imagery and magic and is filled with energy, rhythm, rhyme, and marvelous sound effects. Robert Noreika's evocative watercolor illustrations dazzle, and together word and art bring the marsh and its inhabitants to life. Part nature book, part music book, Marsh Music includes a glossary of musical terms and informative descriptions of the eleven types of frogs we meet in the "orchestra". This is a lovely and engaging picture book, perfect for bedtime reading, that youngsters 4-8 definitely shouldn't miss. "But now it's dawn./The stars are gone./Maestro puts down his baton. // That's all my friends./It's time to go./Tonight there'll be/another show."

I purchased this book for my grandchildren and they just love it! We read it over and over again. The story is fun, whimsical as well as educational. All children seem to love frogs, ponds and music and this book takes you into the night and makes you feel like part of a wonderful musical extravaganza. We especially enjoy the rhyming text and the illustrations are fantastic!

As a Media Specialist I found the book to be exactly what children enjoy. It has the right combination of beautiful illustrations with words that have a lyrical, almost musical quality. It engages children both visually and auditorily. As a Floridian I found it entertaining to read a book about the all to familiar sounds of this great state. All in all I think this is a lovely addition to any library and/or thematic unit on frogs/amphibians.

The author came to our school and shared her book with the K-2nd graders. She was awesome, not only did she read and talk about her book but, she also did other stories about frogs and incorporated music. The program actively involved the students. The students and teachers loved the story time , and the book. The way she incorporated real facts about frogs with musical terms was great. The illustrations are excellent. The storyline along with the illustrations make this book a real keeper. If you have a chance to have Marianne come to your school or library you will be most pleased and provide your students or patrons with a rich experience. She will also sign books for you.

This book is wonderful. I read it to my little girl every night. The story is wonderful and the pictures are very entertaining. I would highly recomend you buy it! It is worth every penny!