Prokofiev’s tale of the little boy who outsmarts the big, bad wolf is still the best introduction to classical music for children. The little boy is played by all the strings of the orchestra; the wolf by the French horns; and the little bird who helps the boy is played by the flute. This new retelling by Janet Schulman follows the traditional story, but with a kinder ending for both the wolf and the argumentative duck. Peter Malone’s illustrations are in the style of Russian masters. With music performed by the Cincinnati Pops and word-for-word narration by Peter A. Thomas.

40 pages; 8.3 x 10.3 inches; hardcover