Lazlo Learns Recorder is a 2019 picture book written by Vicky Weber and illustrated by Masha Klot.
It has a good structure for a story in general, and for a picture book: it starts with new student Lazlo Lemur joining the Forest School. He’s nervous, but makes a new friend, Anna,who helps him settle in, first to the school and then to the newest element of school for Lazlo: music class. The teacher (Miss Marmoset) explains musical notation and how to play. Lazlo struggles, but does master the recorder. Lazlo and Anna plan more practice (and build their friendship along the way).
There’s a lot of cute animals here, and alliteration.
However, the works out too simply and easily. For example, Anna spontaneously greets Lazlo, plays with him, and helps him all day, starting on the very next page after he’s introduced. There’s no time for him to struggle, and no real reason for her to be so nice. (Greeting, sure–but tutoring all day, when he’s done nothing, not even mope near her?) The same is true for Lazlo’s reactions to music, teaching, etc. It works too well.
The writing itself is on the basic side, and at times explains things that the images show more directly.
