HOW TO SING A SONG

Singer-songwriter Randy Preston gives voice to and plays music for the third book in this "how to" series. Opening with guitar music, Preston then provides a nuanced, emotional performance of the text. Speaking with energy and varied volume, pacing, and pitch, he encourages kids to listen to sounds all around them, feel the music inside them, and let it take control as it goes round and round and then leaps into the sky. During his narration, guitar notes are plucked and chords strummed in the background, providing rhythm and structure. At the end are a note from Preston about cowriting this "instruction manual for music making" with Alexander and a note from illustrator Melissa Sweet on how the art for the picture book edition was created. S.D.B. © AudioFile 2024, Portland, Maine [Published: DECEMBER 2024]