In order for the accordion to remain a valued member of the musical world, I believe that we need to educate everyone, especially children, about the accordion. In this article, you can read about books which include the accordion.

An informative, delightful, and entertaining book is “An Accordion! What is That?” Looking at the accordion inside and out….. by award-winning author of children’s books, Karen Malan-Uribe, illustrated by celebrated artist, Joan Geller Grauman who created its mascot, an animated honeybee named “Buzz Treble”. The CD includes a wonderful narration of the book as well as music beautifully performed by world renowned accordionist, Mary Tokarski. These three fellow accordionists have combined their special talents to create this wonderful children’s book about the accordion. The book includes a CD with narration and music. You can order the book by contacting Mary at mary.tokarski@comcast.net

“Mendel’s Accordion” by Heidi Smith Hyde (author) and Johanna Van Der Sterr (illustrator) is a picture book history of klezmer music. Mendel is the accordionist forming a traveling band, going to America when his life becomes difficult in the old country.

In his journey, he encounters musicians and organizes his own group. He goes to New York City, marries, has a family who like different styles of music. His great grandson finds his old accordion in the attic, has it repaired and begins a new generation of klezmer musicians. The story also celebrates the experiences of the Jewish immigrants. The book is geared to ages six and up. It is available on Amazon.

“Dallas and the Accordion” was written by Vanessa Schukis, published on March 3,2015. The story is about a young boy who felt bored and opened a box he found in the closet. He was surprised to see that it was an accordion. He never felt bored again because he found music! It can be ordered through bookemon.

In addition to being a performer, the author,Vanessa Schukis, is an award winning teacher with over thirty years experience in performing arts education focusing on students with learning disabilities and special needs. Currently Vanessa teaches music at The Murphy School in Dorchester, MA and The Harvard-Kent Schoot in Charlestown, MA through the outreach program of The Community Music Center of Boston. Vanessa has been on the faculty at Longy School of Music of Bard College, Cambridge, MA and New England Conservatory of Music, Boston, MA.

“Hector, The Accordion Nosed Dog” by author John Stadler is an illustrated uplifting children’s book about a dog who has an accident that turns his nose into an accordion.

Instead of being defeated by that, Hector becomes a celebrated musician by way of his musical nose. This title was a “Reading Rainbow” book on the Public Television program of the same name, MC’d by Lavar Burton. More information and illustrated excerpts are available on the author’s website, johnstadler.com. The book is available on Amazon.

If you know of other children’s fiction books which feature the accordion, please send the titles to Ritabelll@aol.com. I will include them in a follow up article in the July USA News.