Belinda A. Smith, Ph.D.
(Adjunct Professor of Art Education at Columbia College, Missouri)

Beautiful symphonic recordings by the Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra and children singing favorite multicultural tunes build a musical background for the colorful and creative books, Multicultural Songs. The colorful, playful, and painterly illustrations of the artists entice readers to use their imaginations as they flip through the pages to learn songs from France, Korea, the United States, Germany, and England.
These books and CD materials provide authentic and magical moments for both young children and adults.
 
Susan Altomari, M.Ed.
(Music Specialist at Lee Expressive Arts School, U.S.A.)

As an elementary music educator I frequently use picture songbooks with my students, but I have never seen any with the high level of musical and artistic quality found in the Musicmap Series: Multicultural Songs produced by Koomzaal Company. From the beautifully illustrated pages to the rich sounds of the Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra and the child¡¯s voice, the journey through each of these books is both aesthetically and educationally pleasing for children, parents, and educators alike. The addition of the musicmapping of the rhythm and melody adds a unique tactile element to the books that helps children not only hear, but feel the melodic direction of each song.

Having been involved in the field-testing of these products, I have a firsthand
appreciation of both the attention to detail and the devotion to quality that Dr. Youm has brought to this project. I strongly encourage music educators to include these books in their work with young children. It is an opportunity to witness the new level of sensory engagement that these books offer to anyone who uses them.
 
Christine Sandoval, M.S.Ed. (Columbia, Missouri)

 My three-year-old son enjoys the multicultural song books. The cheerful illustrations appeal to him. The music itself reaches him deeply, and I feel that it helps his thinking: for about a year now, I have been tracing the notes with my finger when I sing with sheet music (about once a week). My son was somewhat interested but did not try it himself. When we began using the multicultural song books, of course I traced the Musicmap in the same way. After a few weeks, he applied this to traditional sheet music and traced those notes! I am confident that it will transfer to reading text as well. When we read a traditional children's book, his visual attention is naturally focused on the pictures, but in the Musicmap portion of these books, the music keeps his interest while his eyes, undistracted by pictures, follow the trail of notes. It's a whole new way to enjoy reading and music!