In Cox's (Now We Can Have a Wedding!
) rhythmic story, a cheerful African-American girl introduces the members of her family, each of whom plays an instrument in a different musical setting—with the aspiring young percussionist accompanying. When her mother plays fiddle in a country-and-western band, the girl shakes the tambourine; when her father plays cello in a string quartet, she picks up the triangle; when her sister plays clarinet in the marching band, she works the cymbals; and when her brother plays lead guitar in a rock 'n' roll band, she rings the cowbell. The woodblock, maracas, rhythm sticks and wind chimes are among the other percussion instruments the child plays alongside other family musicians, who perform in a jazz club, and polka and bluegrass bands, among other places. In a playful final performance, the girl bangs on a soup kettle when her toddler niece "plays the pots and pans, drumming on them with a wooden spoon." First-time illustrator Brown's cut paper art, which features a pleasing palette blending muted and vibrant hues, is perhaps a bit too stylized to match the narrative's buoyant tempo. The facial features of the characters, including the narrator, disappear when the figures are pictured in the background. A glossary offers concise explanations of the musical genres, venues and instruments. Ages 4-8. (Sept.)
