Indies GO ALL IN: 6 Children’s Books to read if you're into music
Updated: Sep 3
This August, we’re turning up the volume with books that celebrate music, dance, performance and creativity. For this month’s booklist for our indies project for the National Year of Reading, we’ve gathered stories about finding your voice, following your passions and expressing yourself in your own way.
From Bollywood dreams and jungle rhythms to violins, imagination and discovering new ways to experience music, this month we are joined by Red Robin Books, Scallywag Press and Wacky Bee.
All the recommended titles are available for purchase here or through the links below. Stay tuned for next month’s booklist!
1. Starlet Rivals
Written by: Puneet Bhandal
Illustrated by: Jen Khatun
Published by: Lantana Publishing
Buy this book: Starlet Rivals
Reading age: 9-12
12-year-old Bela has always dreamed about becoming a famous Bollywood star, and now the opportunity might finally be within her grasp. When a reality TV show gives her the chance to dance in front of the nation, she knows that she is performing for a place at the most prestigious stage school in Mumbai.
Can Bela win the Dance Starz competition to bag a place at the Bollywood Academy and move one step closer to her dreams of stardom? And will child star Monica, the most "in" girl at school, see her as a friend or a rival?
2. Albert’s tuneful trunk!
Written by: Neil Griffiths
Published by: Red Robin Books
Buy this book: Albert’s tuneful trunk!
Albert, the baby elephant, chooses not to listen to his mum and dad’s warnings and finds himself in a bit of a twist. (Well, his trunk, to be precise!) When the other elephants laugh at him, he lets out a blast that will change life in the jungle forever.
A terrific tale that curls its way to a triumphant ending!
3. Hannah and the Violin
Written and illustrated by: Satoshi Kitamura
Published by: Scallywag Press
Buy this book: Hannah and the Violin
Reading age: 3+
Music and imagination combine to create an unforgettable experience!
When Hannah spots a leaf on the grass, she thinks it looks like a violin, and decides to see if she can play it. Soon everything is singing and dancing to the music!
4. Jacob’s Music
Illustrated by: Chiara Carapellese
Published by: Wacky Bee
Buy this book: Jacob’s Music
“Jacob is an ordinary boy who lives in an ordinary house in an ordinary village. Jacob is deaf.”
When Jacob’s teacher announces that there will be an end of term music concert, Jacob’s heart does a flip and a flop. Music is his absolute favourite thing and he knows exactly which instrument he wants to play. The violin. However, everyone else has other ideas. Deaf people can’t play the violin! Or can they?
