Lions roar, elephants dance, roosters whistle, and fossils clatter. A brilliant new child-friendly recording. The fully illustrated program book includes the complete Ogden Nash verses. I love introducing poetry to children, and Carnival of the Animals is an especially great way to introduce poetry along with classical music. Ogden Nash poems are used throughout first track in the work for narrator and orchestra. As usual, the London Philharmonic Orchestra makes listening a pleasure even for accomplished musicians. Young children would enjoy moving like the animals along with the music as well as watching (or, especially, performing) a Carnival of the Animals puppet show using animal puppets. When my children were middle-school age and older, we often listened to CDs as we drove to their sports- or dance activities. Maestro Classics Carnival of the Animals is interesting enough to be a perfect travel CD for homeschoolers. I also found the About the Composer: Camille Saint-Saëns track by Bonnie Simon and About the Music track by conductor Stephen Simon very interesting. The About the Music track is rich with information about the music ... telling how it correlates with the animals and explaining how humor is shown throughout. --Living Montessori NowPart of the award-winning Maestro Classics series of audio CDs designed to teach children about the joys of experiencing classical music, Carnival of the Animals is an excellent adaptation of the great symphony by Camille Saint-Saens, ideal for little ones ages 3 and up. Superbly performed by the London Philharmonic Orchestra, Carnival of the Animals offers fascinating background tidbits about the composer of the masterpiece, and a bonus sing-along song, and a 24-page program booklet. Highly recommended, especially for public library children's music CD collections. --Midwest Book ReviewMaestro Classics Tells Stories With Music As a child I had a small record player and a collection of classical music on 45s. (Yes, I m that old.) For hours on end I would listen to wonderful orchestral pieces such as Peter and the Wolf and Swan Lake. The music would transport me from our tiny house to worlds far away on adventures that I would make up in my mind. The music became a soundtrack to my childhood stories. Naturally, as a mom, I have wanted the same musically creative outlets for my children. That s why I was so impressed with Maestro Classics. Combining stories with music, Maestro Classics offers children their own musical experience. Using professional storytellers and actors, Maestro Classics brings new and old stories to life. What makes Maestro Classics so wonderful is that the soundtrack for the stories are provided by the world famous London Symphony Orchestra. Each CD contains several songs and stories that are all centered around a particular theme. Maestro Classics titles available: My Name is Handel: The Story of Water Music Peter and the Wolf The Story of Swan Lake The Sorcerer s Apprentice Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel The Tortoise and the Hare Casey at the Bat The Soldier s Tale Juanita The Spanish Lobster Carnival of the Animals Maestro Classics is the product of the husband and wife team, Stephen and Bonnie Simon. As the former Music Director of the Washington Chamber Symphony at the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC, Stephen Simon is also a famous symphony conductor. Bonnie Simon has also been deeply involved with the Washington Chamber Symphony as the former Executive Director of the organization. Biographies of this talented duo can be found on the Maestro Classics website. Homeschoolers will be especially pleased to find detailed coordinated homeschool curriculum for each of the Maestro Classic products. Using the website, a single Maestro Classic CD can quickly become a fun and educational unit study for your family. And --Heart of the MatterPart of the award-winning Maestro Classics series of audio CDs designed to teach children about the joys of experiencing classical music, Carnival of the Animals is an excellent adaptation of the great symphony by Camille Saint-Saens, ideal for little ones ages 3 and up. Superbly performed by the London Philharmonic Orchestra, Carnival of the Animals offers fascinating background tidbits about the composer of the masterpiece, and a bonus sing-along song, and a 24-page program booklet. Highly recommended, especially for public library children's music CD collections. --Midwest Book ReviewMaestro Classics Tells Stories With Music  As a child I had a small record player and a collection of classical music on 45s. (Yes, I m that old.) For hours on end I would listen to wonderful orchestral pieces such as Peter and the Wolf and Swan Lake. The music would transport me from our tiny house to worlds far away on adventures that I would make up in my mind. The music became a soundtrack to my childhood stories. Naturally, as a mom, I have wanted the same musically creative outlets for my children. That s why I was so impressed with Maestro Classics. Combining stories with music, Maestro Classics offers children their own musical experience. Using professional storytellers and actors, Maestro Classics brings new and old stories to life. What makes Maestro Classics so wonderful is that the soundtrack for the stories are provided by the world famous London Symphony Orchestra. Each CD contains several songs and stories that are all centered around a particular theme. Maestro Classics titles available:    My Name is Handel: The Story of Water Music   Peter and the Wolf   The Story of Swan Lake   The Sorcerer s Apprentice   Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel   The Tortoise and the Hare   Casey at the Bat   The Soldier s Tale   Juanita The Spanish Lobster   Carnival of the Animals Maestro Classics is the product of the husband and wife team, Stephen and Bonnie Simon. As the former Music Director of the Washington Chamber Symphony at the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC, Stephen Simon is also a famous symphony conductor. Bonnie Simon has also been deeply involved with the Washington Chamber Symphony as the former Executive Director of the organization. Biographies of this talented duo can be found on the Maestro Classics website. Homeschoolers will be especially pleased to find detailed coordinated homeschool curriculum for each of the Maestro Classic products. Using the website, a single Maestro Classic CD can quickly become a fun and educational unit study for your family. And speaking of the website, the Maestro Classic website itself is really a great site. Click on the music and life tab to learn of the importance of music in the home. This page is also filled with hints on how to increase listening experiences for your children. Kids can identify instruments to win a prize and parents can find links to other music education websites filled with games and lessons plans. The Kids Club section has musical puzzles, games and a link to find Maestro Classics on Pinterest. Over on Pinterest, the Maestro Classics board is filled with ideas such as how to make homemade instruments, musical games to play and lots of other great non-musical educational ideas. --Heart of the Matter