Excerpt from Music Observer’s Review: “What sets The Five Birds and the Cat Queen apart is its innovative integration of narrative and sound. Each page of the book invites readers to engage with music while conveniently turning the pages at the sound of a finger snap … the accompanying soundtrack aims to bring the story to life, offering readers a more immersive and interactive experience.
This book blends storytelling with classical music, crafted specifically for young and pre-readers. Introducing children to classical music can sometimes be daunting, but The Five Birds and the Cat Queen makes it accessible by wrapping music in an adventurous story. The innovative approach aims to capture readers’ imaginations, encouraging them to explore a universe where characters and melodies intertwine.
The illustrations burst with bold colors and captivating details, appealing to children while delighting adults. The narrative seeks to engage children not just through words but through the enriching experience of musical storytelling, making it a potentially delightful bonding experience for both children and caregivers.”
Fun, Vibrant and Original!
Story, Art & New Music
The Five Birds and the Cat at Queen is set deep in the rainforests of South America where five very different birds find themselves together in a tree following a violent storm. Four of them get into an argument about who is the most beautiful. A fifth bird, a Gray Catbird, convinces them to fly to the Cat Queen, who has a reputation for her wisdom in being able to discern many things. She makes her decision based on a sort of beauty contest. Her decision might surprise you!
The Five Birds and the Cat Queen is a one-of-a-kind combination of 3 integrated parts creating two different type books in one:
- It’s a beautifully illustrated picture book!
- A children’s story written in 4-line rhymes (quatrains)
- 29 imaginative full-color illustrations
- It’s a musical book!
- An original musical score . . . composed by the author
- Music performed by a professional wind quintet.
Designed for pre-readers and young readers. Parents, grandparents and young readers alike will enjoy following along with the free author-narrated soundtrack turning the page at the sound of a finger snap. Adventurous readers will enjoy the challenge of reading the story aloud themselves to the music with the bonus soundtrack without narration but with the finger snap cues for turning pages.
A closer look at the colorful illustrations
IT’S A PICTURE BOOK + AN AUDIO BOOK !
Soundtrack Options
The Five Birds and the Cat Queen comes with a narrated soundtrack that includes an original classical music soundtrack, composed by Jeff Cortazzo and performed by a professional wind quintet. Options for playing or downloading the soundtrack are located below. Enjoy!