Lera Auerbach · Literature · Children’s Poetry
A is for Oboe
The Orchestra’s Alphabet
A children’s poetry book introducing the world of the orchestra through language, imagination, and musical character.
Creators
By Lera Auerbach and Marilyn Nelson. Illustrated by Paul Hoppe.
Audio Edition
Read by Thomas Quasthoff. The audiobook edition is available through major audiobook platforms, with a public excerpt on YouTube.
Book Information
The Book
A is for Oboe turns the alphabet into an imaginative journey through the orchestra. Each letter opens a door into musical character, orchestral ritual, and the hidden life of sound.
The book introduces young readers not only to instruments, but to the entire culture of listening: tuning, conducting, rehearsal, silence, rhythm, breath, ensemble, and the sense of wonder that gathers before a performance begins.
- SubjectThe orchestra, introduced through alphabetic poems.
- ReadersChildren, families, teachers, young musicians.
- FormPoetry, illustration, and musical imagination.
About the Book
Two poets — one of them also a composer and classical pianist — create a portrait of the orchestra through the alphabet. The opening letter begins with the oboe’s tuning A; other letters move through instruments, musical roles, sounds, gestures, and the imaginative world behind orchestral life.
The result is both an introduction and an invitation: a book for children who are beginning to listen, and for adults who remember that every orchestra begins in wonder.
Praise
-
“With stunning poetry and vivid illustrations, this volume reimagines what an orchestra is.”
Booklist · Starred Review -
“A lyrical and colorful introduction to the orchestra.”
School Library Journal · Starred Review
Online Materials
Publisher, ordering, audiobook, and reference links for A is for Oboe: The Orchestra’s Alphabet.
-
Publisher
-
RetailRetail / Order
- Publisher Page · US
Official Penguin Random House book page with format information and ordering options.
- Penguin Random House Retail · US
Publisher retail listing for the hardcover edition, ISBN 9780525553779.
- Amazon · US
United States hardcover listing.
- Bookshop.org · US
United States independent-bookstore ordering option.
- Books-A-Million · US
United States marketplace / retail listing.
- Amazon · Canada
Canadian hardcover listing.
- Indigo · Canada
Canadian bookstore listing.
- Penguin Random House · Canada
Canadian publisher listing.
- Waterstones · UK
United Kingdom bookstore listing.
- Blackwell’s · UK
United Kingdom bookstore listing.
- Bookshop.org · UK
United Kingdom independent-bookstore ordering option.
- Penguin Books · Australia
Australian publisher page with retailer choices.
- Booktopia · Australia
Australian hardcover listing.
- Penguin Books · New Zealand
New Zealand publisher page with retailer choices.
- bol.com · Netherlands / Belgium
Benelux listing for the book.
- Amazon · India
India hardcover listing.
- Kinokuniya · UAE
United Arab Emirates / international bookstore listing.
- Publisher Page · US
-
AudiobookAudiobook
-
Publisher Audiobook Edition
Penguin Random House listing for the audiobook download, read by Thomas Quasthoff.
-
Audible
Audiobook edition of A is for Oboe: The Orchestra’s Alphabet.
-
Google Play Books
Google Play audiobook listing.
-
Amazon Audiobook
Amazon audiobook listing.
-
Libro.fm
Independent-bookstore audiobook platform listing.
-
Libby / OverDrive
Library audiobook access where available through participating libraries.
-
YouTube Audiobook Excerpt
Public excerpt / preview of the audiobook.
-
Publisher Audiobook Edition
-
Audio Review
-
Author
Rocky Pond Books
Penguin Random House
Publisher
Published by Rocky Pond Books / Penguin Random House. Hardcover, 40 pages, ISBN 978-0525553779.
