The Round Book: Rounds Kids Love to Sing

Includes a brief history of the round, eighty rounds to sing, and suggestions for round leaders on how to use them

Grade 4 Up-This fine collection compares favorably to Esther L. Nelson's The Great Rounds Songbook (Sterling, 1985; o.p.). The selections are written in such a way that the staves are connected and numbered to denote each part. In Great Rounds, the melodic lines are each on a single staff, which is probably more "kid friendly"; however, MacDonald's more sophisticated book seems geared to adults who would be leading the singing. Somewhat static black-and-white drawings open up each chapter. Overall, the introduction and instructions on singing rounds plus the appended history, advice for directors, additional suggestions of rounds, and a title/first-line index help to make this offering useful for most collections.
Mollie Bynum, formerly at Chester Valley Elementary School, Anchorage, AK
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

This handy paperback presents 80 songs designed to be sung as rounds. Each one appears on an uncluttered page or two, illustrated by a simple ink drawing. From sixteenth-century tunes to contemporary camp songs, the selection is rich and varied, and the appended bibliography, "More Rounds for the Avid Singer," suggests other books and recordings. Song leaders will find the clearly written suggestions for round singing particularly helpful. A fine resource for school music teachers, choir directors, camp leaders, and children who sing for the love of it. Carolyn Phelan