"The Clariphant and the Kazoos" by Charlotte Reavley

While I am not musically inclined, I do enjoy listening. I also enjoy going to concerts, especially concerts where my children perform. Music requires practice, and according to The University of Georgia, "studying and playing music includes benefits far beyond the mere learning of playing a musical instrument, and its ripple effects result in happier, healthier, more balanced children."

Learning to play a musical instrument can have many advantages for children. It can help with their problem-solving. It can help them explore and expand their creativity. The lessons learned in music will help you later in life, and you have a skill that will make others happy and forget their cares for a little while.

"The Clariphant and the Kazoos"

"The Clariphant and the Kazoos"

If your child is an aspiring musician, or has expressed interest in picking up a musical instrument, then Charlotte Reavley would like to help. Charlotte is a woodwind teacher from Nottinghamshire, UK. Her book, "The Clariphant and the Kazoos", includes simple musical lessons for piano, woodwind and percussion instruments. The book is written for children in grades K-2 in the U.S. (Grades 1-3 in the UK.)

Reavley's book is actually a script for a play. The story takes place on the planet Animato, where animal-instrument hybrids (Instrumals) live. The Instrumals live on different lands on Animato, depending on the instrument. Some Instrumals practice more than others. In the play, the kazoos plot to attack Animato, and the Instrumals must use their musical inclinations and problem solving skills to repel the attack.

A Book, and so Much More

I mentioned before that this book is written as a play, but that doesn't mean you can't read it to your child like a book. Your child could read it on their own, or a music class could put the play on. Children can also play the sheet music that accompany one of the versions of the book. In addition to a story of people coming together to solve a problem, it also helps your child use their music skill as well as their problem-solving skill.

"What sets 'The Clariphant and the Kazoos' apart is its brilliant comedy play which uses all the music from the clarinet and flute repertoire books," Reavley said of her book. "Children love the fact that they are responsible for the whole play, including the music, and have great fun bringing the Instrumals to life."

"It doesn't matter how good or bad you are. You must enjoy the music you create."                    - Clariphant

Practice, Practice, Practice

Practice is necessary in all things in life: sports, music, your own career. It's important to hone the skills you have and be better at them so that when the time comes to use these skills, they will be their sharpest and you will be at your best when you need them.

Music teaches our children a lot of things, not just how to play an instrument. It teaches discipline, it teaches order and organization. When you have a musical instrument, it must be cared for and maintained. As a child gets older there is more for them to manage and organize. Although the list of things and the things themselves get bigger, they get better at it because of the incremental growth of the things that need to be taken care of and the chores that need tending to. The discipline that goes into learning to play an instrument comes in handy later in life as your child tackles other responsibilities and obligations.

Charlotte's book serves many purposes. Not only is it an interesting story, but it shows how every character plays an important part in solving a problem, much like every instrument and player is important in a concert. Each Instrumal is important in the battle against the kazoos, just as every member of the band is important when it comes to the music.

Click here to purchase a copy of "Weave a Web of Witchcraft", an audiobook written my Jean M. Roberts and narrated by me.