Author: Vicky Weber
Illustrator: Masha Klot
Age: 2nd-5th

Lazlo Learns Recorder is a sweet, interactive story about a little lemur learning to play a music recorder. He is a new kid at a new school who learns that a new skill takes time and practice.

I really appreciate that the illustrator literally shows how the fingering should be for a few of the musical notes as well as the ledger lines and written notes. (I implemented recorder lessons last summer during the break and this kind of book would have been helpful for my young children.) I also like the dramatic spider who hangs out in the music room!

Lazlo Learns Recorder appeals to kids due to the very cute nature of Lazlo the lemur. He is very relatable to children because he is timid and scared when faced with a new challenge. They go through the process with him of tackling a new skill and building confidence. This story appeals to parents because it reaffirms the “try, try again” attitude that we know our little ones need to develop.