Wendy Sims, Ph.D. (Professor and Director of Music Education at the University of Missouri-Columbia, U.S.A.) Listening to music is a potential source of learning and pleasure throughout life. The early years, when children are open and receptive to new sounds and ideas, are an important time in the development of listening skills and attitudes towards music. With the right materials, even very young children can learn to listen attentively and perceptively. These unique books, based on sections of a lovely and important piece from music literature, include beautiful recordings by the Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra. The simple yet precise visual representation of the music, and age-appropriate " touch-along" format, allow children to fully participate and focus on the listening experience. These attractive, educational, and entertaining materials undoubtedly will help young children and adults share many very special musical moments together.   Belinda A. Smith, Ph.D. (Adjunct Professor of Art Education at Columbia College, Missouri) Early childhood is an important time for children to be introduced to sights, sounds, movement, and imaginative-creative play, which the Musicmap Series: Carnival of the Animals encourages. This educational series integrates a variety of aesthetically pleasing folders and poster formats, scarves, soft animal puppets, and carefully researched and developed materials, accompanied by an extensive teacher’s guide with tips and activities. Through the introduction of symphonic music recorded by the Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra, all children can use their natural ideation skills and senses to distinguish comparisons and contrasts of shapes, colors, patterns, numbers, dance/physical movement, and musical rhythm/melodic movement. This series actively and creatively engages children, teachers, and parents in learning how to appreciate music and art in their lives!   Susan Altomari, M.Ed. (Music Specialist at Lee Expressive Arts School, U.S.A.) These musicmap books are both innovative and educational. From a music educator's perspective, each of these five books is a creative and inviting way for children to listen to and interact with classical music. Dr. Youm has presented her books in my elementary music classroom in Columbia, Missouri, with amazing success. The children have the opportunity to hear each musical selection numerous times while engaging in many different activities. By using their fingers to touch the music through the book, the children experience the added sense of "feeling the music.” It should also be noted that Dr. Youm has taken great care in accurately following the rhythmic and melodic movement of each musical selection. I have never seen children so engaged in a musical listening lesson like I have seen my classroom children with these books. These books are a must for every preschool to early elementary music classroom. The children will love them.   Derek and Deborah Smith (Columbia, Missouri) We really enjoyed using the Musicmap Series: Carnival of Animals. The series is truly excellent on many levels. Our three-year-old daughter loves all five of the animal themes, but she especially enjoys the lion and cuckoo activities. The program’s use of touch exploration, role-play, movement, and variety is sure to provide her with years of fun and exciting learning experiences. The fact that the activities encourage active music listening distinguishes the series from other music-related teaching strategies we have used in the past. But truly, the most appealing aspect of the Musicmap Series is the fact that you do not need be a trained musician to successfully implement the learning activities. The materials enable parents and teachers with varying degrees of musical knowledge to provide children with age-appropriate musical experiences. Through play, these activities can potentially ignite in children a genuine interest in music, laying the foundation for the next generation of musical performers, educators, and advocates. For our family, the Musicmap Series: Carnival of Animals represents an excellent way to share the love of music with our daughter, while at the same time providing a means to develop skills fundamental to understanding music.