Posted By: Danielle L. Coleman
Posted On: November 13, 2019
My name is Danielle Coleman. I teach elementary music grades pre-k through fifth grade at Nitro Elementary School. Best Loved Children’s Songs from Japan by Yoko Imoto is a charming collection of songs that contains simple eighth note rhythms to dotted eighth note rhythms, various dynamics, and full treble staff vocal range. Teachers will find age appropriate material for lower and upper elementary level students. Students will love the beautiful illustrations, and English translations that is provided for each song. Along with each translation, the author also provides information about the meaning of the song and the story in which the song is trying to portray. If interested in creating a performance piece, I feel it would be easy for the students to add Orrf instrumentation to the stories and songs provided. I would suggest teaching the songs in Japanese, as the English translation and original rhythms do not correspond correctly. This book would be a wonderful investment for any multicultural musical library.