Titles and Descriptions: W

Waiting to Sing. 1st ed. (Print-Fiction). Kaplan, Howard and Blondon, Hervé, illus. Dorling Kindersley, Inc. (CDS), 2000. unp. ISBN 0-7894-2615-3 ($21.95 hdc.).

This is a gentle story about childhood loss and healing. Music has always played a pivotal role in the lives of the family portrayed. Family memories have always included music—theirs is a family whose "story was played on the piano." After the mother dies, neither son nor father can bring himself to play the piano again until one day when the two share a moment of grief—not through words, but through music. The art work in warm tones of orange, brown and green pastels reflects the mood of the story. An afterword provides a note about the music piece "Fur Elise." This picture book may be more appreciated by older children than younger ones as the issue of death and grief requires some degree of maturity and sensitivity.

Suggested Use: Grade 6; Grade 7; Grade 8; Grade 9; Music; Visual Art

Other Use: Arts Education: Elementary Level; English Language Arts: Elementary Level; English Language Arts: Grades 6 to 9

Wandering Spirit: First Tracks (Compact Disc). Wandering Spirit. Turtle Island Music, Inc. (TIS), n.d. Order no. TIM 30029 ($20.00 compact disc). Order no. TIM 10029 ($13.00 cassette).

(CAN, I/M) Wandering Spirit was originally formed in 1989 by a group of young men under the age of 21. Today’s Wandering Spirit continues the tradition of sharing powwow and other traditional songs. This CD provides examples of drum music and original compositions written by young aboriginal men. It may prove to be useful in the creative/productive component of the music strand.

Suggested Use: Grade 6; Grade 7; Grade 8; Grade 9; Music

Other Use: Arts Education: Elementary Level

What Do Illustrators Do? (Print-Non-Fiction). Christelow, Eileen. Clarion Books (ALL), 1999. 40 p. ISBN 0-395-90230-4 ($17.96 hdc.).

This book shows how two illustrators, one with a dog, Scooter, the other with a cat, Leonard, retell Jack and the Beanstalk in their own unique styles. The process of bookmaking, definitions of abstract concepts such as style and design, and concrete technical terms are presented in comic-book-style. The animals reprise the fairy tale and humourously comment on their owners’ progress with the pictures. This behind-the-scene peek at the creative process is both informative and fun. Readers will come away with a real appreciation of both the artistry and effort involved in illustrating books. This would be a good choice for inspiring students to illustrate favourite stories of their own.

Suggested Use: Grade 6; Grade 7; Grade 8; Grade 9; Visual Art

Other Use: Arts Education: Elementary Level

Whispering Tree: Anishinaabe Stories & Songs (Compact Disc). Humphrey, Annie, et al. Makoché (MAK), 2000. Order no. UPC 70333401712 ($14.98 U.S.).

(I/M) Singer Annie Humphrey, along with author Anne Dunn and friends, come together in this collection of songs and stories that celebrates not only the wisdom of the Anishinaabe, or the Northern Minnesota Ojibway, but the rest of humanity as well. The project that inspired this CD was about friendship that brings down barriers, hope that heals and heart stories that build joy and trust.

The lyrics to the selections and information about the performers are included in the liner notes.

Note: Some of the selections deal with sensitive issues, and teachers are advised to preview the songs before using them with students.

Suggested Use: Grade 6; Grade 7; Grade 8; Grade 9; Music

Other Use: Arts Education: Elementary Level

Who and When? Series (Print-Non-Fiction). Halliwell, Sarah, ed. Raintree Steck-Vaughn Company (SBC), 1998. 96 p. Order numbers follow.

Recommended titles in this series include the following:

From the glories of the Renaissance to the Postimpressionism of the 19th century, from Giotto to Toulouse-Lautrec, the books in this series tell the stories and accomplishments of the principle European and American artists, writers and composers who created the art, literature and music that still influences us today. The information is presented in well-organized chronological order under each category. Biographical information includes major turning points and the impact of certain events on each person’s life. Illustrations or photographs of each person along with coloured reproductions of major works highlight almost every page. This series provides an insight into the historical background that shaped the ages, and reveals how these talented men and women have developed artistic movements over time. The books each include a table of contents, an introduction to the particular time period, a glossary and a comprehensive index.

Suggested Use: Grade 6; Grade 7; Grade 8; Grade 9; Music; Visual Art

Whoa-Ha-Gee (Compact Disc). Arcand, John. Arcand, John (ACJ), 2000. Order no. JA-006 ($15.00).

(I/M, SK) John Arcand is an active promoter of fiddle music, especially in the Red River tradition. He is a collector of Métis fiddle material, and has won numerous awards for his music. This CD is a collection of fiddle music, both traditional and modern.

Further information about John Arcand and more resources is available on the Gabriel Dumont website at http://www.gdins.org/ index.html.

Suggested Use: Grade 6; Grade 7; Grade 8; Grade 9; Music

Other Use: Arts Education: Elementary Level; Kindergarten

Whole Notes: Stories Behind the Classics Series (Video). Sound Venture Productions (MGR), 1999. 26 min. Order numbers follow.

(CAN) Recommended titles in this series include the following:

This lively, six-part series explores the colourful stories behind some of the world’s best loved classical music. Hosted by internationally acclaimed concert pianist Jon Kimura Parker, Whole Notes features performances by the National Arts Centre Orchestra of Canada, conducted by Pinchas Zukerman. Interviews of scholars and archival photographs enhance the videos.

Suggested Use: Grade 9; Music

Other Use: Arts Education: Secondary Level

Willy's Pictures (Print-Fiction). Browne, Anthony. Candlewick Press (CDS), 2000. unp. ISBN 0-7636-0962-5 ($18.39 hdc.).

This picture book for older children features Willy the chimpanzee as artist, narrator and actor as he takes us on a tour of his sketchbook gallery. Each of his creations captures the spirit of a famous masterpiece with imagination and humour. Younger children will enjoy the paintings for the stories they tell, and older students familiar with the paintings will appreciate Browne’s wild versions. A concluding gatefold index provides small reproductions and information about the original paintings.

Suggested Use: Grade 6; Grade 7; Visual Art

Other Use: Arts Education: Elementary Level; English Language Arts: Elementary Level

Women in Profile Series (Print-Non-Fiction). Please refer to the title: Musicians.

A Work of Art (Print-Non-Fiction). Chambers, Joan, Hood, Molly and Peake, Michael. Belair Publications Limited (BHU), 1995. 70 p. ISBN 0-947882-58-8 ($19.95 pbk.).

This resource is intended to stimulate students’ creativity by introducing them to some of the works of well-known artists. The paintings could be used as starting points for a variety of creative activities and for exploring various elements of art. Background information about each artist is given, and prints are included that give examples of each individual artist’s work. The book includes a wide range of historical periods and artistic styles. All of the sections include photographs of student work inspired by famous artists. This resource would be a good starting point for an artist study. The ideas featured are easily adapted for use with artists other than the ones included in this book.

Teachers may want to supplement this resource with larger reproductions or overhead transparencies.

Suggested Use: Grade 6; Grade 7; Grade 8; Grade 9; Visual Art; Teacher Reference

Other Use: Arts Education: Elementary Level

World Music: Cultural Traditions (Kit). Haddad, Bob. Glencoe/McGraw Hill (MHR), 1995. ISBN 0-07823-969-9 ($111.98 kit).

This resource consists of recorded examples of regional music on CDs, a description of each track for the teacher’s reference and an introductory essay for each lesson. Questions to facilitate the listening experience are suggested, with additional information for teacher reference. Upbeat music selections ranging from countries that include the United States and Canada, Latin America, Europe, Russia, North Africa, Australia and several Asian countries make this an excellent choice for teachers who wish to expose their students to world music.

Suggested Use: Grade 6; Grade 7; Grade 8; Grade 9; Music; Teacher Reference

The World of Music. 5th ed. (Print-Non-Fiction). Willoughby, David. McGraw-Hill Ryerson Limited (MHR), 2003. 397 p. ISBN 0-07-249150-7 ($62.01 pbk.).

The World of Music is designed for teachers who want to focus on perceptive listening to music as it exists in the real world. In addition to Western European classical music, this text includes folk, religious, jazz, popular and world music. Both cultural and historical examples are provided in this comprehensive resource, and no prior musical training on the part of the student is presumed. Students will learn to recognize different styles, appreciate their different functions and develop a solid foundation for continued learning in areas of personal interest. Each chapter includes a pre-plan outline stating concepts and vocabulary and ends with a concise summary and list of terms. Photographs throughout the text depict music as it is—performed by people everywhere to serve many valid purposes and to be enjoyed and valued in many different contexts. People are seen making and responding to music, symbolizing its human dimension. An excellent glossary of musical terms and concepts is included.

A set of two CDs or cassettes is available. This set contains 50 listening examples taken from the "Study in Sound" sections in each chapter in the text. Also available is a five-CD set that contains all of the 104 listening examples from the text.

Suggested Use: Grade 9; Music

Other Use: Arts Education: Secondary Level