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Reviewed by Jennifer Senick for Readers' Favorite
In Zoe's Groovy Birthday Gift: A Ukulele Tale by Susan Montgomery, readers are invited to join Zoe on an adventure filled with friends, treats, and a very special present. This rhyming story follows her at her birthday party and as she later opens the presents she receives. She begins unwrapping the gift from her parents, and to her surprise and absolute delight, it's a new instrument—a ukulele! She starts taking lessons on Saturdays and begins learning some songs. At the end, the different kinds of songs that can be strummed (like blues, rock and roll, hip hop, and folk) are explained. There’s also a detailed diagram and an informative section with fascinating ukulele facts, such as that they can be made from wood or plastic. This cheerful tale introduces youngsters not only to a lovable character but also to the world of music.
As an educator, I found Zoe’s Groovy Birthday Gift by Susan Montgomery to be an upbeat, almost lyrical story that creates a sense of discovery, making it a fun read-aloud or independent pick. Montgomery’s playful illustrations show the energy of Zoe’s day and help every page pop with color and joy. It could be used in a regular classroom as well as in a music class. Students could listen to samples of different types of sounds or share which instruments they’d like to play. I found myself learning a bit with the tale, as well. I didn’t know that George Harrison played it. The diagram at the end will be helpful for kids to understand how the ukulele works. The breakdown of genres, like how the Hawaiian one celebrates the islands, really rounds out the story. It’s the kind of book that makes early learners curious to explore more about music, instruments, and the joy of creating their own sounds.
