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Author: Courtney-Tickle, Jessica

Reading age: from c 5 years

Published on 10 October 2024 by Quarto Publishing PLC (Frances Lincoln Children’s Books) in the United Kingdom as part of ‘The Story Orchestra’ series.

Hardback | 24 pages, colour illustrations
265 x 304 | 500g

Discover the spellbinding magic of Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream in this musical reimagining of Mendelssohn’s most famous suites – push the button in each scene to hear the vivid sound of an orchestra playing from Mendelssohn’s score.

This story takes us to Athens where the Duke and Queen are to be married. However, not everyone is as happy, and on one midsummer’s night, mischievous fairies, lively actors and young lovers get caught up in a series of pranks and events in the nearby woods.

 As you and your little one journey through the magical scenes of Shakespeare’s most beloved and comedic play, press the buttons on each page to hear 10 excerpts from the incidental music! Readers should press firmly on the pages to activate the sounds, encouraging interactive learning and introducing children to this beautiful piece of music.

At the back of the book, find a short biography of the composer, Felix Mendelssohn, with details about his composition of A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Next to this, you can replay the musical excerpts and, for each of them, read a discussion of the instruments, rhythms and musical techniques that make them so powerful. A glossary defines musical terms.

The Story Orchestra series brings classical music to life for children through gorgeously illustrated retellings of classic ballet, opera and program music stories paired with 10-second sound clips of orchestras playing from their musical scores.

Also available in the Story Orchestra series: Four Seasons in One Day, The Nutcracker, The Sleeping Beauty, Swan Lake, Carnival of the Animals, The Magic Flute, In the Hall of the Mountain King, I Can Play (vol 1), The Planets and Peter and the Wolf.

Manufacturer’s note: please pull the white tab out of the back of the book before use. Sound buttons require a firm push in exact location to work, which may be hard for young children. All sound clips are 10 seconds long.