Make Some Music Outdoors On World Book Day

In the UK and Ireland today is World Book Day!

World Book Day is a celebration of children’s books and reading and marked in over 100 countries around the globe – although in other countries World Book Day takes place at a different time of year (usually in April).

This is the 20th year there’s been a World Book Day, and on 2nd March 2017 children of all ages will come together to appreciate reading. Hundreds of schools and bookshops all over the UK and Ireland will be taking part. Books are such a fun springboard in to all sorts of activities, crafts, play and of course…..music! And now spring is just around the corner (oh please let it be so!), it’s the perfect time to step outside and put your outdoor musical instruments to excellent use.

We all know that birds are great singers but what kind of sound would a Gruffalo make? Or the Very Hungry Caterpillar munching his way from being tiny to growing big and fat. Or the BFG, stomping across the countryside? An outdoor music lesson, creating new sounds inspired by favourite book characters, is a wonderful opportunity to combine children’s love of music with their love of reading. Integrating children’s literature into music time by adding songs and sound effects to the stories and acting them out during the lesson will add some creative fun – nothing works as well as a good book and some loud noise when it comes to inspiring the imaginations of our children. The children will be inspired to use their imaginations as they explore the chosen book in a new and vibrant way.

Enjoy some seafaring stories and transform your outdoor music area into a pirate ship, or make music to stories, songs and rhymes about mini beasts. The opportunity to bring witches, dragons, and adventures into music lessons is endless.

What a great way to celebrate music, books and reading!