The Tortoise and the Hare is a classic Aesop’s fable. A very confident hare challenges a tortoise to a race. Halfway through the race, the hare rests and realizes too late that the tortoise has beaten him to the finish line. The Tortoise displays the virtues of diligence, perseverance, and optimism. Slow and steady wins the race is his motto. We’ve read this short story many times before, but we had never heard it the way Maestro Classics told it! The humorous twists and additions to the story along with the music makes this version of the Tortoise and the Hare our favorite. (Scroll down for a chance to get your own copy!)
My 5yr. old daughter picked out Maestro Classics The Tortoise and the Hare for our review. We have a board book of this story so she was familiar with the characters. When our package arrive, she was very excited to listen to the story.
We pulled it out right away to listen. Inside the cd case was a little booklet. This little booklet is packed with lots of information! It had a picture chart of the instruments in the orchestra, a little bit of basic music theory, and some activity pages.
She read this while listening to the story. Now don’t think this cd series is just for young children–because it is not! I had all my kids sit and listen ages 1yr. – 13 yrs. old. Younger children will enjoy listening to the story being told along with the music. Older kids can listen to the story and try to analyze the music too:
What instruments are playing?
Are their certain instruments representing specific characters?
Why would the orchestra play fast at this point in the story?
If you are apprehensive about explaining the instruments and other technical music stuff, no worries because the composer, Stephen Simon, does it for you! I think that was my favorite part— hearing about his thought-process in writing the music to tell the story.
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| Tortoise and the Hare Coloring Page |
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- Open only to U.S. Residents, age 18 and older.
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- Unless otherwise stated, winners have 72 hours from the close of the giveaway to claim their prize. If the prize is not claimed within 72 hours, an alternate winner will be selected.
Disclosure: I was provided a CD for review purposes only. Opinions about this product are my own.
I would chose Peter and the Wolf
These look great I would either pick Peter and the Wolf or Michel Mulligan and the steam shovel.
I would also do Peter and the Wolf. The audio sometimes scares my kid, but I think it's because of the music intensity!
I think Peter and the Wolf too!
I would choose Mike Mulligan…we love that book!
I would love Peter and the Wolf
I think Tortoise and the Hare would be good for my littles. My daughter might also love Swan Lake.
Thanks for this review! We'd be interested in so many of these… perhaps start with "My Name is Handel" or "The Sorcerer's Apprentice."
Looks interesting. My Name is Handel would be my pick.
This looks like such a fun and interesting music curriculum!
Oh, and we would pick Mike Mulligan because we LOVE the book 🙂
If I had to choose another CD to listen to, I would pick The Story of Swan Lake.
Interestingly, I would probably pick Casey at Bat b/c it's so familiar from my childhood. I remember the short cartoon of it.
Peter and teh Wolf. I love that one, and can't wait to introduce it to my kids.
It's hard to choose! I guess I'd pick Peer & the Wolf. Thanks for the chance to win!
I mean "Peter & the Wolf." Sometimes my fingers go faster than my brain! =)
The Sorcerer's Apprentice
Mike mulligan because my son loves that story!
I think my son would love Casey at the Bat. but I would love Swan Lake 🙂
The all look really interesting. I am really intrigued with "My Name is Handel: The Story of Water Music".
I would love to have:
Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel
Thanks Kayla – kevinkaylaarrowood123atyahoodotcom
I would choose My name is Handel …
thesanderson6@gmail.com
Love Maestro Classics! I think we'd go for The Sorcerer's apprentice.
The Story of Swan Lake — love that one.
We would DIE to have "Peter and the Wolf." We borrowed it from the Library and it's already a favorite.
We would DIE to have "Peter and the Wolf." We borrowed it from the Library and it's already a favorite.
I have wanted Peter and the Wolf for a long time!
I've seen these advertised before, and thought they looked pretty good! Thanks for the review – I'm putting them on my 'need to buy list." Mike Mulligan and his STeam Shovel is in the Memoria Press curriculum for next year, so that will be the first one I look at.
Looking forward to meeting you at the 2:1 Conference soon!