Oboe Goes Boom Boom Boom

Description: Includes biographical notes on the musicians who inspired the book's characters.

Brief description:

Colleen AF Venable is the author of the picture books The Oboe Goes Boom Boom Boom, Mervin the Sloth Is About to Do the Best Thing in the World, and Amy the Red Panda Is Writing the Best Story in the World. She is also the author of several graphic novels, including Katie the Catsitter, the Guinea Pig: Pet Shop Private Eye series, and Kiss Number 8, which was longlisted for the 2019 National Book Award. Colleen AF Venable lives in Brooklyn, NY.

Review Quotes:

"Equal parts comical and deeply informative. . . . Venable's text is interwoven with threads of humor, charm, and creativity. . . . Cho's bright, eye-popping illustrations create a happy chaos on the page, and one can almost imagine the cacophony of a room full of children practicing their instruments. An altogether delightful introduction to musical instruments." - School Library Journal (starred review)

"As a band director instructs the new band members on the different instruments they can play, he must also contend with a very enthusiastic drummer. . . . There is an irrepressible feeling of energy in the illustrations . . . further emphasized by playful and colorful typography. . . . A lively introduction to some musical instruments." - Kirkus Reviews

"Each time jolly-looking band director Mr. V. . . . gives a student the opportunity to play their instrument of choice, he's interrupted by little Felicity, who has already discovered her love of whaling on an enormous drum. . . . Frisky typography and balloons of musical notation float through the air, and visual nudges and jokes elevate the story . . . The afterword includes short, inclusive bios of diverse real-life classical, rock, and jazz musicians upon whom the book's characters are based." - Publishers Weekly

"Band director Mr. V introduces a diverse class of students to seven instruments. Mr. V places each in its musical family, sometimes offering a little history, and briefly describes how it works, how to play, and how it sounds. . . . The lighthearted narrative and lively cartoon illustrations balance humor and information nicely. Back matter provides some biographical information about seven professional musicians (who make cameos as the students)." - Horn Book Magazine