If you work with music and primary grade children, this series is for you! Sound Concepts is a remarkable, easy-to-use series of stories and flash cards that encourage young children to sing with the light, bright "head" voice that should be natural to all children, but unfortunately is not.

Central to the materials is a set of full-color Sound Flash Cards, which use everyday sounds to extend the range of young children beyond the dreary "chest voice" common to so many at this age. And with the help of three delightful, giant-sized "sound storybooks" (17 1/2" x 23") about a character named Herbie, children further practice seven principal vocal techniques, including descending and ascending sounds; breath support; round, pure vowel sounds; and resonance. The storybooks are printed with wonderful black-and-white illustrations that the children can color as a class project.

In addition, the manual covers such issues as individual and class assessment, remediation, vocal technique goals for children, and singing as a learned behavior.

These materials were developed and field-tested by Ohio teacher Judy Thompson, but you don't need to be a trained music teacher to use them effectively.

Sound Concepts is innovative, fun, simple, and effective. You'll quickly wonder why it took so long for something like this to appear on the market.