Colleen AF Venable is the author of the National Book Award
longlist graphic novel Kiss Number 8, as well as forthcoming middle
grade graphic novels, and the Pet Shop Private Eye graphic novels.
Her picture books include Mervin the Sloth Is About to Do the Best
Thing in the World and Amy the Red Panda Is Writing the Best Story
in the World. Her day jobs have included marketing positions at the
Children's Book Council and Roaring Brook Press, before becoming
art director at First Second and Workman Publishing. She is
currently founding art director of the new Odd Dot imprint at
Macmillan. She grew up in Walden, New York, and attended Wagner
College, where she majored in English and studio art. Colleen AF
Venable lives in Brooklyn, New York.
Lian Cho is a graduate of the School for Visual Arts in New York
City. She is a Society of Illustrators Student Finalist and
received the Rhodes Family Award for achievement in illustration.
This is her first picture book. Lian Cho grew up in Taiwan and now
lives in Brooklyn, New York.
"Equal parts comical and deeply informative. . .
. Venable’s text is interwoven with threads of humor, charm,
and creativity. . . . Cho’s bright, eye-popping illustrations
create a happy chaos on the page, and one can almost imagine the
cacophony of a room full of children practicing their
instruments. An altogether delightful introduction to musical
instruments." — School Library Journal (starred review)
“As a band director instructs the new band members on the different
instruments they can play, he must also contend with a very
enthusiastic drummer. . . . There is an irrepressible feeling of
energy in the illustrations . . . further emphasized by playful and
colorful typography. . . . A lively introduction to some musical
instruments.” — Kirkus Reviews
“Each time jolly-looking band director Mr. V. . . . gives a
student the opportunity to play their instrument of choice, he’s
interrupted by little Felicity, who has already discovered her love
of whaling on an enormous drum. . . . Frisky typography and
balloons of musical notation float through the air, and visual
nudges and jokes elevate the story . . . The afterword includes
short, inclusive bios of diverse real-life classical, rock, and
jazz musicians upon whom the book’s characters are based.” —
Publishers Weekly
“Band director Mr. V introduces a diverse class of students to
seven instruments. Mr. V places each in its musical family,
sometimes offering a little history, and briefly describes how it
works, how to play, and how it sounds. . . . The lighthearted
narrative and lively cartoon illustrations balance humor and
information nicely. Back matter provides some biographical
information about seven professional musicians (who make cameos as
the students).” — Horn Book Magazine
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