Book Series · 15 Books

First Steps in Music Books

In order from The Crabfish to Waltzing Matilda.

The First Steps in Music series is a set of 15 picture books by John M. Feierabend, published between 2004 and 2023. Written for ages 3–8, most books run about 30 pages.

The Crabfish
My Aunt Came Back
There Was a Man and He Was Mad
Father Grumble
The Derby Ram
Where the story begins

First Book in the Series

The Crabfish
Sale price
$1795
Book #1 · Picture Book · Ages 3–5 · 2004

The Crabfish

By Vincent Nguyen (Illustrator)

A man's attempt to cure his wife with crabfish leads to unexpected chaos.

24 pages
Hardcover
Summary: In a whimsical tale, a devoted husband seeks to cure his ailing wife by fulfilling her unusual craving for crabfish. But when the crafty crustacean leaps up and grabs her nose, chaos ensues. This humorous folktale, passed down through generations, invites readers to join in the fun with a musical twist. Will the couple find a way to outsmart the mischievous crabfish, or will it continue to cause trouble? Discover the unexpected turns in this lively story that blends tradition with laughter.
The complete set

First Steps in Music Series

15 books · Published 2004–2023

Sale price
$1795

The Crabfish

Picture Book · Ages 3–5 · 2004

A man's attempt to cure his wife with crabfish leads to unexpected chaos.

Sale price
$1697

My Aunt Came Back

Picture Book · Ages 3–5 · 2008

Aunt's travels bring back bizarre surprises in a musical twist.

Sale price
$1697

Father Grumble

Picture Book · Ages 3–5 · 2009

A husband learns household chores are tougher than he thought.

Sale price
$1795

The Derby Ram

Picture Book · Ages 3–5 · 2010

Discover a legendary ram whose colossal size defies belief in this whimsical folk tale.

Sale price
$1795

The Frog and the Mouse

Picture Book · Ages 5–7 · 2011

A frog's love for a mouse leads to a wild wedding and unexpected chaos.

Sale price
$1695

Risseldy, Rosseldy

Picture Book · Ages 4–7 · 2012

A husband navigates his wife's absurd antics in a timeless folk tale.

Sale price
$1695

The Tailor and the Mouse

Picture Book · Ages 3–5 · 2012

An absent-minded tailor's wild cure for his sick mouse companion leads to unexpected adventures.

Sale price
$1697

Jennie Jenkins

Picture Book · Ages 3–6 · 2015

A playful song challenges a girl to rhyme or dance.

Sale price
$1697

Over in the Meadow

Picture Book · Ages 5–7 · 2016

Explore a meadow where animals teach counting through song and rhyme.

Sale price
$1795

Momma, Buy Me a China Doll

Picture Book · Ages 4–8 · 2017

A mountain girl's dream of a china doll leads to imaginative schemes, but will they succeed?

Sale price
$1697

Kitty Alone

Picture Book · Ages 3–5 · 2018

A bobcat's mysterious journey unfolds in the Appalachian Mountains.

Sale price
$1797

Waltzing Matilda

Picture Book · Ages 3–5 · 2023

A swagman's journey through Australia's wilds brings fortune and peril.

Good to know

Common Questions

How many books are in the First Steps in Music series?

There are 15 books in the First Steps in Music series. It began with The Crabfish in 2004, and the newest book, Waltzing Matilda, was published in 2023.

What ages are the First Steps in Music books best for?

The series is best for ages 3–8, based on the age ranges of the individual books.

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