The Big Bell and the Little Bell

PreSchool-Grade 2—What this story lacks in originality it more than compensates for with a high cuteness factor. The kid-friendly song is performed on an accompanying CD by Julius La Rosa, who originally recorded it in 1954, on one track, and by the London Crouch End Festival Chorus on the second track. It tells the tale of a little bell whose small sound wins out over the large bell's loud—but annoying—gong. In the Kitten Kingdom, called "Calvinopolis," the larger bell thinks his sound is decidedly superior. But many in the kingdom and, most importantly, the King, disagree. The big bell gave him a headache on the day he was crowned, so he commands the little bell to play on his wedding day. The lesson? "Those who make the biggest noise/Aren't always as important as they think." The lush, ornate illustrations give this simple tale a classic feel and are filled with details young readers will pore over. This works best as a book/CD kit, since the song is charming and the pace fits perfectly with the turning pages.—Jane Marino, Bronxville Public Library, NY
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