Using Children's Books for Creative Music Improvisation: An Annotated Bibliography

Children’s books—more specifically, children’s books with nonsensical words—can be used to ease elementary and intermediate students into the world of music improvisation. Because the words in certain children’s books are completely fictitious, students will not have to worry about correlating “correct sounds” to the keyboard as they improvise. Using books with words that do not exist in the English language for improvisation inspiration will provide the student with automatic imagery and encourage creativity. This document includes an annotated bibliography so you can immediately begin using the selected books with your own music students.