Recommendations for The Music Box

If you can believe a group of 40 preschool children, Betsy's The Music Box is a great success. Our children love the poems, rhymes and stories from The Music Box and often ask the teachers to choose something in the box for them to do, sing, or listen to. From a teacher's point of view, it is a wonderful resource. Not having to do exhaustive searches for "just the right poem, song, etc." that stretches a classroom activity into another level is a planning time blessing. Hats off to Betsy for gathering all these wonderful opportunities in one place.

Pat Shapiro, Director

Bedford Montessori School

Bedford, MA

The Music Box is an incredible organizational resource for children's librarians. No more index cards! When planning a preschool storytime, it is very easy to find a song, rhyme, or fingerplay from the multitude of selections, using the subject index, the alphabetical index, or the numerical order. Simply pull out the sturdy laminated card and slip it in place between your storytime books. The words, music, and accompanying movements will be readily available during your program. The compact box means easy storage and the sturdy cards ensure longevity. The versatile card format makes The Music Box a no-brainer choice for practicing children's librarians who use songs, rhymes and fingerplays in their programs.

Dr. Betsy Diamant-Cohen, Executive Director

Mother Goose on the Loose

Baltimore, MD

Betsy's The Music Box is a wonderful addition to our curriculum resources. All of our staff are excited about the wide range of songs and rhymes included in the box. Once you make the decision to add the box to your curriculum library I highly recommend that you invite Betsy to give a training workshop for your staff. She really demonstrates the enormous number of ways that the songs can be used in the classroom.

My staff loved it!

Micki Avery, Co-Director

The Preschool Experience Nursery School

Newton, MA

This has been a wonderful resource. We have two brand new librarians who have used it as a learning tool, and I have used it to refresh my repertoire. The musical notation is especially helpful.

Elaine Garnache, Children's Librarian

Watertown Public Library

Watertown, MA

The Music Box is an amazing resource for both novice and experienced youth librarians. Whether you are looking for a specific song or want to browse the many categories, The Music Box is expertly organized and easy to use. It's a tool I know I will use over and over again.

April Mazza, Head of Youth Services

Wayland Public Library

Wayland, MA

I would recommend centers use The Music Box. Many of us have been doing this for a long time and always fall back on the same songs. Our staff had a great time looking through the box and remembering songs we had forgotten. We also found it very useful to organize our circle times the way Betsy had discussed in the workshop she did for us: alternating between quiet and active songs. Our circle times will always be new and exciting! Thank you!

Sue Houde

Riverside Children's Center

Newton, MA

We love The Music Box. Every children's librarian in our department has used it to enhance their programs. Whether we need a song about the weather for our BookBabies (3-36 months) or a new fingerplay for ToddlerTime, we always find something that works. One of the best things is being reminded of something you loved but have forgotten. My parents and grandparents used to do "Tony Chestnut" when I was little and I did it with my own kids, too. I'd never thought to do it with a group until my colleague found it in The Music Box. It's a big hit!

Best features: Subject categories, musical notation, and references to recommended recordings to help you learn the tunes for the songs.

Marian Ossman, Reference Librarian

Wellesley Free Library

Wellesley, MA

The Music Box is a must-have for early childhood educators and parents alike. This tool has been immensely helpful for our staff and rewarding for the children and parents in our school. I recommend it highly.

Virginia Smith Alterio, Director,

Wellesley Nursery School in the Hills

Wellesley, MA

The Music Box is a tremendous resource for teachers and families with young children. Thoroughly and carefully researched, it contains a wealth of repertoire. Betsy's unique contribution is the suggested activities, all of which have been classroom-tested, and honed over time. Young children will be delighted to do them!

Alice Gollan, Director

Family Music Makers

Brighton, MA