A NARRATED MUSICAL CHILDREN’S BOOK!

Follow the adventures of five colorful birds as they find out which one of them is the most beautiful!

The Five Birds and the Cat Queen children's book
Available at Amazon

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!

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.

For pre-readers and young readers ages 5-10
The Five Birds and the Cat Queen adds fun to family story time with siblings and parents

A closer look at the colorful illustrations

sample page from The Five Birds and the Cat Queen children's book
sample page from The Five Birds and the Cat Queen children's book
sample page from The Five Birds and the Cat Queen children's book

What’s It Like?

Watch this  short video excerpt featuring Jeff Cortazzo’s narration and original soundtrack, performed by a professional wind quintet.

What’s It Like?

Watch this  short video excerpt featuring Jeff Cortazzo’s narration and original soundtrack, performed by a professional wind quintet.

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!

Play the Narrated Soundtrack

Click the button below to play the narrated soundtrack on this device.

Download the Soundtrack

Want to take the soundtrack with you? The button below offers popular music app download links. Depending on your app, you may be charged for downloading the soundtrack, or it may be included in your subscription plan.

Read It Yourself!

Enhance your experience of The Five Birds and the Cat Queen by reading the story out loud yourself along with the recorded music (narration removed)! Play the audio file below, turning the page when you hear the finger snaps! Have fun . . . the timing can be a bit challenging.

HONEST FEEDBACK WELCOME

Well, What Did You Think?

Jeff Cortazzo would love to read your reviews on
The Five Birds and the Cat Queen!

Reviews

Average Rating: 5.0 stars (based on 22 ratings)

Kindness on a High Note

As a retired music teacher with 35 years experience, I am excited to have found this book with its beautiful illustrations and original music, both would capture a young reader. The story teaches a wonderful lesson about recognizing individual beauty — inside & out — but reminds the reader that what is most important is on the inside.

Claire P

Impressive Voice acting!

(from the UK) The illustrations and the captivating plot that ended with a twist were the parts I loved the most about this book. I listened to the narrated version which featured musical elements and impressive voice acting.

Isaac O.

Amazing music and story!

My daughter is in love with this book! The music is fun and the story telling is spot on — a must have!

Erik, R

Perfect Read

The Five Birds and the Cat Queen is truly captivating! The vibrant illustrations, engaging plot with a twist, and the important moral message make it a perfect read for children.

Aleena A.

Stunning illustrations

The stunning illustrations and vibrant colors captivate young readers, while the plot with its twist ending delivers an important moral message. The book’s appropriate wording and rhyming words enhance vocabulary development. The narrated version on Amazon Music showcases the author’s musical prowess and creates an immersive experience. With no flaws or errors, this meticulously edited book deserves a five-star rating. It is suitable for children aged 1 to 11 and an enjoyable read for adults as well.

Dona K.

Flawless

“The Five Birds and the Cat Queen” by Jeff Cortazzo is a flawless children’s book with stunning illustrations, a captivating plot, and valuable moral messages.

Dora T

What A Great Story With A Wonderful Lesson!

I read this to myself while playing the soundtrack. The illustrations were so lively, I would need to read it several more times just to catch all of the nuances. The story line had a nice tempo, flowing well with the development of the characters. The conclusion was not a new one, but yet very important. It’s not what is outside a person that defines them, but what is inside!

Arthur D

The book alone is captivating

The book alone is captivating with its Dr Seuss-meets-Night Before Christmas rhyming, vibrant illustrations, and adventure story. Paired with the audio of the musical composition and narration, it is simply enchanting. My nephew (who likes video games and not so much books) loved it!

Michelle W

Brilliant, Beautiful and Colorful!

My sons ADORED this book. The captivating music pairs effortlessly with the words making it a very easy and joyful read. A perfect way to make reading fun!

Victor, B

Engaging!

I found the voice characterizations to be engaging; the pace of the story will satisfy a broad cross-section of young learners; and the colorful drawings that poignantly captured each storyboard segment to be captivating. Nice work!

Keith M.

My granddaughter and grandson enjoy

My granddaughter and grandson enjoy the pictures and the music! Great job Jeff!

Eric R

Great book with a great life lesson!

Beautifully written and drawn! My 7-year-old enjoyed it and followed along smoothly. Great lessons for all to remember.

Tyrone S

An Elementary Teacher’s View

Having spent 32 years in an elementary classroom, mostly in Kindergarten and 2nd Grade, I would recommend this book to my K-2 colleagues. Its illustrations are exceptional and are sure to enhance the students’ experience. The story itself is especially appropriate in putting forth the importance of kindness and character at a time when both are sorely needed. The author includes colorful descriptions sure to enhance the vocabulary of listeners and readers alike. I look forward to the future adventures of this flock of five.

Brian H

Fun and Spirited

Such talent! The music, the rhyming, the narration and the artwork all add up to a fun and magical experience for a young reader with a gentle message of what true beauty is. Where to for the next adventure?!?

Veronica U.

I loved the sweet and important lesson

My three year old Olivia and I love this book, she stays interested through the whole thing and loves the whole story and the music that goes with it. The narration is so fun and I can tell that a lot of time was spent on the music accompanying it.

Abby L

Captivating

My 5- and 13-year-old sons were captivated by the whimsical illustrations, witty rhymes, accompanying soundtrack and author narration which created a truly immersive experience. My 5-year- old loved turning the pages to keep up with the snaps and wanted to ‘read it again’ as soon as we finished. 5 stars all around for a wonderfully conceived product that entertains and inspires.

Regan B

Unbelievable

It’s hard to believe that one person possesses all the talent required to develop a story, make the story rhyme, compose the music, and all the art work, and bringing it all together. Unbelievable. Hope all the children enjoy this book.

Raphael C

A billion stars

“I give it a billion percent of likes!”
– Cora, age 6

Reading “The Five Birds” has become our new bedtime routine! Sometimes we read it together, but she usually prefers “The Jeff” (aka the sound track) .
She was absolutely enamored with the bright and colorful illustrations from start to finish. She’s now requesting a quetzal for her birthday!

Cora goes on to say:
“I like how the blue bird that can talk looks just like the ocean. And the cats are so cute! And their houses. I like the catbird’s red behind.”

Angie S

Magnificent

Nothing short of magnificent comes to mind! The story, the illustrations, the music and the message all from one human! Very well done.

Kristen, C

A Delight

The only thing more delightful than the combined artistry of prose, music and visual insight in this charming book is the artist himself.

Paula S

Amazed

Amazing and unique to say the least. This book has everything. Art, poetic narration, music and a story with purpose. “Love it”. This one-of-a-kind book will be the family favorite and a wonderful addition to your children’s library.

Carole C

Inspiring and captivating

With the turning of each page, the readers are immersed into a world of fantasy where music, color, and poetry are used to convey a powerful message: that true beauty comes from within. This is a book that sharpens the mind with challenging vocabulary and softens the heart with eternal truths.

Nicoleta M.