A journey in the footsteps of Elvis Preslièvre, a Venetian tale to the sound of Gluck and Vivaldi, an ecological quest at the Musée d'Orsay… Our selection of musical Books for curious little music lovers.
By Louis-Julien Nicolaou
Published on November 29, 2024 at 10:00 a.m.
FROM 4 YEARS OLD
“At the Sun Studio in Memphis!”
Continuation of the adventures of Mama and Papa Poss, the musical opossums. After New Orleans, head for Memphis up the Mississippi. The couple's new mission? Delivering a hit to “King” Elvis Preslièvre… Rockabilly at full tilt, map allowing you to follow the journey of the heroes, information on Presley (the real one), Memphis and the instruments used in the record: a bible for the rockers of tomorrow.
Bïa and Fanny Berthiaume, The Secret Mountain, €16.50.
“Roshan and the Giant”
We must take care of the giants that surround us, these trees whose tops we cannot see and of which we sometimes forget that they live and happily welcome birds, squirrels… and children. Decorated by the watercolors of Marjolaine Faure and the songs of Gilles Clément, this initiatory tale deploys delicate poetry and delivers an essential ecological lesson.
Isabelle Sandri, Marjolaine Faure, Gilles Clément, Bayard Musique, €22.90.
“And that’s all”
Rock, music for adults? Come on… Listen up, most of the time, the energy, rebellion and excesses of rockers are those of children who refused to be tamed. The songs of Méli Mômes remind us of this with humor, conviction and a keen lucidity. Morality? There's nothing wrong with letting the brat express himself through music and it can go a long way. Look at Mick Jagger…
Méli-Mômes, Méli Mélodie, €15.
FROM 5 YEARS OLD
“Malévalo and the bird that brings the day”
A marvelous bird supposed to bring daylight, the Uccellino is coveted by the merchant Malévalo, who is not concerned about plunging Venice into darkness. Fortunately, young Gina is watching… Very inspired, Yanowski tells his tale with irresistible verve, nestled in tunes by Gluck, Ravel and Vivaldi performed by the Lamoureux Orchestra.
Yanowski and Matthieu Fayette, Andantino, €22.
“The Little Sound Gleaner”
No sound of nature escapes Irma. She records them for her grandfather Nono, who makes strange crafts from them, the “automassons”. Everything would be fine without Mr. Industrior and the white noise of his awful machines… Remarkably written and sound-proven, this intelligent fable warns of the harmful effects of noise pollution at the same time as it encourages us to (re)discover the song of nature.
Benoit Bories, Élodie Vincent and Iris Durand, Trois Petits Points, €14.90.
“The Pyrate Project”
It doesn't take much to ignite Emanuel Bémer's imagination. A simple merry-go-round pompom has already inspired an entire show. Also, when the black pirate flag extends to his two shins, his blood only goes one round. With his sword drawn, he takes on the challenge and overturns the clichés associated with the genre. Throughout the story and the songs, his fantasy takes the young sailors into a shimmering imagination where adventure, humor and wonder cross swords.
Emanuel Bémer, The Association of Ideas, €16.50.
“The Magic Violin and the Fire Dragon”
Every quest has as its object light. In Sacha's case, there is nothing metaphorical about it: at home, it is night… even when it is daytime. This all doesn't seem very natural. So the young boy decides to go in search of the sun… The tale is classic, just like the music of the Sirba Octet and the Victor-Hugo Symphony Orchestra, but the alliance of the two makes the charm of this beautiful book-disc.
Élodie Fondacci and Lucie Dessertine, eds. Auzou, €19.95.
FROM 6 YEARS OLD
“Pompon, Pompon. A stroll through the Musée d’Orsay”
For almost a hundred years since it has been exhibited at the Musée d'Orsay, the polar bear sculpted by François Pompon has languished in its ice floe. One evening, when he couldn't stand it any longer, he set off. His quest will lead him to encounter figures escaped from the paintings of Manet, Degas, Redon… Illustrated by Charles Berberian, this catchy tale is superbly set to music by Pascal Parisot, with the support of Jeanne Cherhal, Barbara Carlotti and many others . A great success.
Pascal Parisot and Charles Berberian, Gallimard Jeunesse, €24.90. To be found in our store.
“Flash. The little butterfly whose minutes are told”
Short life than that of a butterfly. As soon as he is born, Flash is only predicted to have one day and one night! However, when you have the mouse Lili (irresistible Olivia Ruiz) as your friend and your buddy Jojo the badger, a miracle can happen… Supported by the melodies of Simon Mimoun (the violinist from Debout sur le zinc) and Franck Marty, written, said and partly sung by Vincent Tirilly, this very invigorating story happily mixes tenderness and extravagant tribulations.
Vincent Tirilly and Vincent Cau, Gallimard Jeunesse, €24.90.
FROM 7 YEARS OLD
“Pinocchio”
Forget the Walt Disney cartoon and discover another Pinocchio, narrated directly by the toddler puppet. Mysterious and enchanting, his adventures are adapted with finesse by Cédric Aussir and benefit from exceptional accompaniment, thanks to the composer Manuel Peskine and the Radio France Philharmonic Orchestra.
Cédric Aussir and Amélie Videlo, Gallimard Jeunesse, €24.90.
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