As a TOS Crew member, I received Stephen Foster and His Little Dog Tray and Edward MacDowell and His Cabin In the Pines, as well as study guides for each and an accompaniment cd that goes with both products. These are elementary biographies of these composers, originally published in the 1940's. The stories behind their most well-known compositions, along with the tunes themselves are interwoven as well.These are written at an elementary reading level, with black and white illustrations interspersed throughout. The authors polished up the stories of these two men to make them as much of role models as possible. These are not necessarily authentic biographies, but they do give children a glimpse into the lives of men who sometimes seem above we mere normal people and a little stuffy besides. The sheet music of some of their compositions are included in the books, with descriptions of the conditions in which some of them were composed.
Of course, these biographies only include what was deemed acceptable for children by 1940 standards. I normally appreciate the morality standards of that era in children's literature, but there are some issues that should be addressed with the book about Stephen Foster. We often talk about how morality has plunged in the past 50 years, but one area in which our society has actually made some positive strides is in the area of racial issues. No, we're not near where we ought to be, if you ask this Southern girl who sees and hears way too much prejudice still from people who ought to know better, but I think we've made progress. However, in 1940, it was still common to use degrading terms to describe our minorities, particularly African Americans. These terms and the accompanying attitude toward the days of slavery are found in Stephen Foster and His Little Dog Tray. No, I didn't find the most offensive word, but there are other phrases used and an attitude toward African Americans that conveys the notion that they were simpletons who reveled in the life of a slave. He grew up in that era in a home with slaves. I seriously doubt those slaves truly felt the nostalgia the authors injected into this time period. The study guide for this selection does address this issue, but glides over it as typical for that time period. At this point, as we strive to model what is good to our children in a region in which is still taken very seriously, I don't want to confuse them with introducing this attitude or the terms that are used in the book to describe the African Americans Mr. Foster knew. My conscience and the respect I have for my African American friends demanded I express that about this book.
Each book has an accompanying study guide, which includes supplementary outlines and information concerning the composer's life and works, as well as suggested discussion/comprehension questions for each chapter. I also received a cd which contains audio files of the compositions in the books, coloring sheets and other printables, and sheet music. I will say, though, that, as these are original illustrations for the books, the African Americans depicted in the coloring sheets (and I think there's only one like this) are not presented in a flattering light.
The books themselves are $12.95 apiece, the study guides are $4.95 apiece, and the cd is $7.95. However, you can buy the Foster/MacDowell bundle for $35.80, which is a savings of $7.95, I believe, and includes all the above.
Zeezok has an entire series of Great Musicians, which includes Bach, Brahms, Beethoven, Chopin, Handel, Mozart, and more. You can find out more about these and other Zeezok products here. And you can check out other TOS Crew reviews for a variety of Zeezok products here.
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