I Like the Music

The young narrator of Komaiko's verses is a devotee of musicnot of the concert-hall fare her Grandma is always urging on her, but of the sounds, songs, and rhythms she hears all around: ""I like the beat/ Of my feet/ When my shoes hit the street/ And I rapatapa-tapa/ On the hot concrete.'' Grandma perseveres in sharing her love of the symphony, and succeeds when a concert in the park provides the vibrant, participatory atmosphere that sets the orchestral music aloft, giving it a life and verve a child can appreciate. This is a high-spirited celebration of music of all sorts and a joyful recognition of the spontaneous rhythms of everyday living. Komaiko's poetry skillfully mirrors the child's moods and perceptions: a regular, evenly regimented pace when describing what the girl perceives as the monotony of indoors concerts, then it soars and dances with syncopation when she tells of the street music she likes best. Westman's illustrations paint a city teeming with sights as well as sounds, and add a zest and energy all their own. Ages 4-8. (October)