Tipbook Music for Kids and Teens: A Guide for Parents and Caregivers.(Book review)

* Tipbook Music for Kids and Teens: A Guide for Parents and Caregivers, by Hugo Pinksterboer. The Lorenz Corp. (P.O. Box 802, Dayton, OH 45401), 2006. 204pp. $11.95.

Hugo Pinksterboer sees music, practice and performance as a journey that "leads to who knows where." By the end of the first page, I felt an educational ally whose message is clear: All children should love music. His most recent Tipbook is the 15th volume of the Tipbook Series, which is outlined to help parents guide, encourage and cheerlead their young musicians. Easy to grab and effortless to use, this map-shaped book has short, organized chapters and concise paragraphs. Bold, fun titles like "Make Them Wait," "Off Days," "Sitting In" and "Lips" told me I held no ordinary Music for Dummies paperback.

Pinksterboer covers the basics of borrowing and renting instruments, finding quality instructors and practice habits with the collective wisdom of teachers, parents and musicians. He then travels to gray areas not commonly braved in similar publications: music and dyslexia, the effect of braces on wood wind players, even the best lips for playing trumpet! His personal, conversational style feels like a comfortable chit-chat with helpful friends as he lists reasons children should attend group lessons, play in an ensemble or start their own garage band.

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