Sounds

This primer takes you on a tour of a marching band, exploring the sounds each instrument makes one at a time, and culminating in the band itself as a necessary and effective unifying element, with each instrument’s sound coming together to create an experience bigger than the sum of its parts. Some instruments may be more familiar, such as a trumpet and a drum, while others may be a new experience like the clarinet or glockenspiel, but all are beautifully illustrated in Wilson’s signature style with watercolor. While there is a touch element, the presence of only a single sandpaper texture throughout prevents this from being elevated to the level of a true touch-and-feel book, and the use of only two host shapes for the texture (notes for brass and wind instruments and lines for percussion) feels more disappointing than educational. Readers familiar with each instrument’s sound may also find themselves questioning the onomatopoeic sounds attributed to each instrument, but will feel reassured taking the time to listen to each instrument’s recording if they follow the QR code on the back of the book.