Under a Melody

Under a Melody is a wordless picture book depicting a group of musicians as they travel through various settings in the guise of assorted animals. They begin by playing and singing in a gray forest where the power of their music seemingly begins to transport them away. Suddenly, a young female musician reaches for a brightly coloured ball and enters a world of fantasy and dazzling colours. She is transformed into a mermaid, swimming among fish, and soon her musical companions are, too. They cleverly reach out of the page and morph into monkeys in the forest, hanging from tree branches, then into cats, birds, and even insects. An imaginative musical adventure is undertaken by the players. In the final scene, everyone is shown dancing and enjoying the music, interspersed with characters from their fantastical journey.

No words but the intensity of colours and the feelings generated by these bold and arresting illustrations are required to appreciate the power of music and its ability to transport one away into a world of imagination. The variety of colours and captivating scenes will be sure to hold even a toddler’s attention. Fine pencil-drawn details and character expressions add depth to the story. Note that a variety of body sizes are depicted. Under a Melody is a book for all children’s collections.