Published by HMH Books for Young Readers

Summary:  Clarinet and Trumpet are best friends until Oboe comes along, and the two woodwinds start hanging out.  Trumpet is sad and lonely until he befriends Trombone.  Then it’s woodwinds versus brass, with each group adding more members, until cool Saxophone comes along.  With his reed AND brass exterior, he has everyone wondering: which group will he join?  Instead of siding with one or the other, he starts playing music; before long, everyone is united in one happy band.  The spine of this book is filled with small beads, so it can be used as a rhythmic shaker.  32 pages; ages 4-8.

Pros:  A fun friendship story which also could serve as an introduction to band instruments.

Cons:  Whoever thought the shaker was a good idea has clearly not spent a lot of time with young children.