Summoning the Phoenix: Poems and Prose About Chinese Musical Instruments

K-Gr 3—Each poem in this collection highlights a different traditional Chinese instrument and is told in the voice of a child playing it. A variety of forms is used to explore subjects, such as how the instrument sounds, how it feels to play it, and the details of practice and performance. Each spread features an illustrated poem and a sidebar with more information about the instrument, including its history and sound. Chu's pencil and digital illustrations frame the poems into a story of children from many ethnic backgrounds getting ready and performing in a recital. The focus on children practicing and performing serves as a good introduction to traditional Chinese music and makes the potentially obscure subject matter more accessible and enjoyable to a wider audience. Adults will want to have audio resources on hand, as readers will undoubtedly want to hear the featured instruments.—Jennifer Rothschild, Arlington County Public Libraries, VA