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The Five Birds and the Cat Queen

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Latest 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.
Read the review of Jeff Cortazzo's book from Music Observer

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.”

[READ THE FULL REVIEW]

Read the review at Entertainment Monthly News
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The Five Birds and the Cat Queen