Home › Books for Ages 4–8 › The Story Orchestra: Shakespeare's a Midsummer Night's Dream: Press the Note to Hear Mendelssohn's Music

The Story Orchestra: Shakespeare's a Midsummer Night's Dream: Press the Note to Hear Mendelssohn's Music

by Jessica Courtney Tickle

Shakespeare’s woodland comedy, heard through Mendelssohn

Regular price $20.80 USD
Regular price $34.67 USD Sale price $20.80 USD
Save 40%

Hardcover New

Delivery to your door
Currently unavailable
Secure checkout
American Express Apple Pay DiscoverGoogle Pay Mastercard PayPalVisa
30-day eligible returns Returns & refunds policy

AlbakiReads Editorial

Shakespeare’s woodland comedy, heard through Mendelssohn

Set around the wedding of the Duke and Queen of Athens, this illustrated retelling brings together young lovers, actors and mischievous fairies in the nearby woods. Ten press-to-play excerpts from Mendelssohn’s incidental music accompany the scenes, making the book an introduction to both the play’s comic entanglements and its orchestral score. Back matter adds a short account of Mendelssohn’s composition, notes on the instruments, rhythms and techniques in the excerpts, and a glossary of musical terms. The sound buttons need a firm press in a precise spot, so an adult may need to help younger children activate them.

Good fit for readers who enjoy

  • Children aged 4–8 exploring Shakespeare through an illustrated story.
  • Families introducing young children to orchestral music and Mendelssohn.
  • Young readers who enjoy interactive books with sound buttons.

Themes

Shakespearean comedyClassical musicOrchestral instruments and musical techniquesFairies, lovers and theatre

Based on publisher information and book metadata.

Book overview

Discover the spellbinding magic of Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dreamin this musical reimagining of Mendelssohn's most famous suites - push the button in each scene to hear the vivid sound of an orchestra playing from Mendelssohn's score.

This story takes us to Athens where the Duke and Queen are to be married. However, not everyone is as happy, and on one midsummer's night, mischievous fairies, lively actors and young lovers get caught up in a series of pranks and events in the nearby woods.

As you and your little one journey through the magical scenes of Shakespeare's most beloved and comedic play, press the buttons on each page to hear 10 excerpts from the incidental music! Readers should press firmly on the pages to activate the sounds, encouraging interactive learning and introducing children to this beautiful piece of music.

At the back of the book, find a short biography of the composer, Felix Mendelssohn, with details about his composition of A Midsummer Night's Dream. Next to this, you can replay the musical excerpts and, for each of them, read a discussion of the instruments, rhythms and musical techniques that make them so powerful. A glossary defines musical terms.

The Story Orchestra series brings classical music to life for children through gorgeously illustrated retellings of classic ballet, opera and program music stories paired with 10-second sound clips of orchestras playing from their musical scores.

Also available in the Story Orchestra series: Four Seasons in One Day, The Nutcracker, The Sleeping Beauty, Swan Lake, Carnival of the Animals, The Magic Flute, In the Hall of the Mountain King, I Can Play (vol 1) and The Planets.

Manufacturer's note: please pull the white tab out of the back of the book before use. Sound buttons require a firm push in exact location to work, which may be hard for young children. All sound clips are 10 seconds long.
Shipping & returnsShipping options, delivery timing, and our return policy.

In-stock items normally dispatch within 1–2 business days. The ZIP-code estimator on this page is informational only; the final shipping method, price, and availability are confirmed at checkout for your full order.

For the initial delivery estimate we use these transit windows after dispatch: Standard 5–8 business days, Expedited 2–4 business days, and Priority 1–2 business days. Holiday delays are not included.

Eligible items can be returned within 30 days in accordance with our return policy.

Customer reviews