“Lively, very informative title … Auld introduces each section and instrument; describes how each instrument works, how it sounds, and what role it plays in orchestral music … Most helpful and pleasing is the ‘Listen!’ prompts … Paganelli’s friendly cartoon artwork in a muted palette depicts the instruments; the individual performers, who are refreshingly diverse in body shape and skin tone … the depth of material about orchestral performance would make this comfortably at home on a nonfiction shelf.”
—Booklist, Starred Review

“Appealing and informative—a perfect harmony … Conductor Simon auditions musicians, introduces their instruments, and builds an ensemble modeled on the London Symphony Orchestra. This well-organized introduction to the symphony orchestra features clear explanations, lively illustrations of players and their instruments, and examples of the sounds of particular instruments from LSO performances (available for download via a QR code). There are also two full pieces, Ravel’s ‘Boléro’ and Beethoven’s Symphony No. 6 … Both auditioners and performers are racially diverse … (glossary, index) (Informational picture book. 6-10)” —Kirkus Reviews, Starred Review