Poppy and Vivaldi

"Poppy and Vivaldi" is a delightful interactive children's book that offers a unique musical journey through Venice. The story follows Poppy the dog and his friend Enzo as they explore the vibrant Carnival of Venice, encountering various musicians, performers, and iconic Venetian sights along the way.

One of the book's most captivating features is its 16 sound buttons, each playing excerpts from Vivaldi's masterpieces. Children can listen to selections from "The Four Seasons," "Concerto for Two Trumpets," "Stabat Mater," and other famous works by the composer. The sound quality is impressively crisp and clear, making it an enjoyable experience for both children and adults.

Magali Le Huche's vibrant illustrations bring the story to life, depicting the colourful costumes, masks, and scenery of Venice during carnival time. The visuals complement the musical elements perfectly, creating an immersive experience for young readers. In addition to the musical buttons, the book also includes fun sound effects that add to the multi-sensory experience of exploring Venice.

At the end of the book, readers will find interesting facts about Vivaldi's life and the featured compositions, making it an educational tool as well as an entertaining story36. This combination of storytelling, music, and information makes "Poppy and Vivaldi" an excellent introduction to classical music for children, fostering an early appreciation for Vivaldi's works.

Author: Magali Le Huche

Magali Le Huche is a prolific French author and illustrator known for her vibrant and engaging children's books. Born in Paris and educated in Strasbourg, she has illustrated over 40 books, many of which she also wrote. Her works span picture books, graphic novels, and interactive sound books, often featuring animal characters and incorporating musical themes. Notable series include the "Poppy Sound Books" and "Jean-Michel Super Caribou." Le Huche's autobiographical graphic novel "Nowhere Girl" won the 2021 Pépite Award in Comics. Her illustrations are characterized by their lively style, and her books are praised for their educational value, particularly in introducing children to music and classical composers. Le Huche remains an active and influential figure in the children's book industry.

Book Details:

Publisher: Walter Foster Jr.
Format: Hardback
Print length: 24 pages
Dimensions: 7.3 x 0.65 x 8.3 inches
Reading age: 3-6 years old
Publication date: May 1, 2018
ISBN: 978-1633225992

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How can this book help in teaching a KS2 music lesson on Antonio Vivaldi?

Using "Poppy and Vivaldi" in a KS2 Music Lesson

The book "Poppy and Vivaldi" by Magali Le Huche can be an excellent resource for teaching a KS2 music lesson on Antonio Vivaldi. Here's how it can be incorporated:

Interactive Learning

The book features 16 sound buttons that play excerpts from Vivaldi's masterpieces, including "The Four Seasons". This interactive element can engage students and help them recognize Vivaldi's music, making the learning experience more memorable and enjoyable.

Visual Representation

Le Huche's vibrant illustrations depict Venice during carnival time, providing a visual context for Vivaldi's life and work. This can help students understand the cultural and historical background of the composer.

Musical Exploration

The book introduces various instruments featured in Vivaldi's compositions, such as the mandolin, cello, and flute. This can be used to teach students about different instruments and their roles in Vivaldi's music.

Curriculum Integration

The book can be used alongside other teaching resources to create a comprehensive lesson:

Use the book as an introduction to Vivaldi and his works.
Follow up with listening exercises using full recordings of Vivaldi's compositions.
Incorporate creative activities, such as drawing what students imagine while listening to "The Four Seasons".

Cross-curricular Connections

The book's setting in Venice can be used to make connections with geography and history lessons, enriching the overall learning experience.

By combining the engaging storytelling of "Poppy and Vivaldi" with more traditional teaching methods, educators can create a multi-faceted KS2 music lesson that introduces students to Vivaldi's music in an accessible and enjoyable way.

How can the book's setting in Venice be integrated into a geography lesson?

The book "Poppy and Vivaldi" set in Venice offers an excellent opportunity to integrate geography lessons for students. Here's how the Venetian setting can be used to enhance geographical understanding:

Unique Urban Geography

Venice's distinctive layout as a city built on 118 small islands separated by canals and connected by bridges provides a fascinating case study in urban geography. Students can learn about:

The city's location in the Venetian Lagoon off the northeastern coast of Italy
The importance of waterways in shaping urban development
The challenges and adaptations of building a city on water

Natural Environment and Human Interaction

The book's setting can illustrate the complex relationship between human settlements and their natural environment:

Discuss how Venice's location in a lagoon has influenced its history and development
Explore the concept of land reclamation and how Venetians have modified their environment
Examine the ongoing environmental challenges Venice faces, such as subsidence and flooding (acqua alta)

Transportation and Infrastructure

Venice's unique transportation system can be used to teach about alternative urban planning:

Compare Venice's water-based transport (vaporetti, gondolas) to traditional road-based systems
Discuss the absence of cars in the historic center and its impact on city life
Explore how the city's infrastructure has adapted to its watery environment

Cultural Geography

The book's depiction of Venice during Carnival time can lead to discussions on:

The influence of geography on local culture and traditions
How Venice's role as a historical trading hub has shaped its cultural diversity
The impact of tourism on the city's geography and economy

Map Skills

Use the book's setting to develop map-reading skills:

Have students locate Venice on a map of Italy and Europe
Create or study maps of Venice's canals and sestieri (districts)
Use satellite imagery to observe Venice's unique layout from above

By integrating the Venetian setting of "Poppy and Vivaldi" into geography lessons, educators can provide an engaging and concrete example of how physical geography shapes human settlements and culture, making the subject more relatable and memorable for students.

Sound Book: Poppy and Vivaldi