The Secret Mountain is committed to sharing music and stories across cultures and generations highlighting collaborative efforts between authors, songwriters and illustrators from around the globe. As an independent children’s press, we believe that libraries and bookstores provide an essential playground for a child’s imagination and encourage our readers and listeners to support their local literary communities.
Lyrics appear transcribed in their original language and translated to English, followed by extensive notes describing the cultural background of each song.
Collected by Nathalie Soussana Illustrated by Judith Gueyfier
12 traditional songs that introduce children to a wide array of styles—nursery rhymes from Gabon, lullabies from Cape Verde, rumbas from the Congo, work songs from Jamaica—are all performed exquisitely by men, women, and children in more than 13 languages. Luminous artwork and homegrown instruments, such as the djembe, cavaquinho and Peul flute, round off this wonderful celebration of history, language, and culture.
The vibrant colors mirror the diversity of each country and ethnic group, and the tunes are catchy and easy to hum. Readers will dance in their dreams. KIRKUS REVIEWS
Collected by Magdeleine Lerasle Illustrated by Aurélia Fronty
15 lullabies and nursery rhymes that invite children on an authentic musical journey to explore the strong cultural ties that bind the two countries. Traditional songs about everyday life blend samba, modinha, fandango and bossa nova, and are performed by an ensemble of women, men and children. This uplifting and enchanting production captures the convergence of rich, diverse styles. This set is an excellent addition to multicultural children’s music collections. SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL
Collected by Hafida Favret and Magdeleine Lerasle Illustrated by Nathalie Novi
15 songs presented in Arabic, Berber and French that will draw children into a musical journey across North Africa, from the Sahara Desert through the Atlas Mountains to the Mediterranean Sea. This inspiring collection of lullabies and nursery rhymes performed by women, men and children, captures the meeting of ancient and modern styles. It’s an absolute delight to musical ears. Absolutely beautiful! ABC DIARIES
MUSICAL PICTURE BOOK / ISBN 9782898360442
Hardback / Full colour / 36 pp / 25 cm x 25 cm
12 recordings online (23 minutes)
QR code to major streaming platforms
Age 3 to 7 years
BIC/Thema Code B1M79 / C1M79
CBMC Code YBCS – Price £11.99
MUSICAL PICTURE BOOK / ISBN 9782898360473
Hardback / Full colour / 36 pp / 25 cm x 25 cm
15 recordings online (23 minutes)
QR code to major streaming platforms
Age 3 to 7 years
BIC/Thema Code B1M79 / C1M79
CBMC Code YBCS – Price £11.99
MUSICAL PICTURE BOOK / ISBN 9782898360459
Hardback / Full colour / 36 pp / 25 cm x 25 cm
15 recordings online (17 minutes)
QR code to major streaming platforms
Age 3 to 7 years
BIC/Thema Code B1M79 / C1M79
CBMC Code YBCS – Price £11.99
CHILDREN’S AFRICANA BOOK AWARD WINNER PARENTS’ CHOICE GOLD AWARD
Story and songs by Christiane Duchesne and Jérôme Minière Illustrated by Marianne Ferrer Narrated by Mischa Cheeseman Songs recorded by Clerel and Geneviève Toupin
An imaginative musical tale comprised of a narrated story interspersed with original and traditional songs that follows four inseparable friends. Bertie and his buddies decide to repair an old boat and head for a sunny place atop the Blue Mountain. With a little help from newly made animal friends, they finally make it to the summit, the best place in the whole world to have a picnic!
MUSICAL PICTURE BOOK / ISBN 9782925108696
Hardback / Full colour / 48 pp / 27 cm x 21 cm
20 recordings (65 minutes)
With CD + digital download code
Also available on major streaming platforms
Age 3 to 7 years
BIC/Thema Code B1M79 / C1M79
CBMC Code YBCS – Price £11.99
Story and songs by Bïa, Erik West-Millette and Olaf Gundel Illustrations by Fanny Berthiaume Narrated by Alexa Devine Songs recorded by Olaf Gundel and Annick Brémault
Mama and Papa Possum tell the story of how they first met and where their glory days as a musical duo began! Take a trip to the bayou in this side-splitting, toe-tapping tale that pays homage to Louisiana’s Cajun and Zydeco music traditions.
The first story from a series which follows these two plucky marsupials on their travels that bring them across North America to the birthplaces of Cajun, jazz, country, rock’n’roll, blues, and traditional Quebecois music. At the end of each book, explanatory notes delve into the key figures, instruments and customs behind each genre.
Illustrations by Sophie Casson Songs recorded by Sin and Swoon
Original illustrations, rich in color and texture, offer an endearingly offbeat rendering of six cherished timeless folk songs: She’ll Be Coming ‘Round the Mountain, Little Bingo, This Old Man, Pop Goes the Weasel, I’ve Been Working on the Railroad and Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star. Each one takes on a life of its own becoming a stand-alone story featuring several zany characters! The accompanying recordings highlight gifted singers and seasoned musicians, producing a fresh original sound for a new generation.
MUSICAL PICTURE BOOK / ISBN 9782898360435
Hardback / Full colour / 48 pp / 27 cm x 21 cm
3 recordings online (15 minutes)
QR code to major streaming platforms
Age 4 to 7 years
BIC/Thema Code B1M79 / C1M79
CBMC Code YBCS – Price £11.99
MUSICAL PICTURE BOOK / ISBN 9782924774854
Hardback / Full colour / 176 pp / 26 cm x 18 cm
6 recordings (17 minutes)
With CD + digital download code
Also available on major streaming platforms
Age 3 to 7 years
BIC/Thema Code B1M79 / C1M79
CBMC Code YBCS – Price £11.99
Songs recorded by Connie Kaldor, Al Simmons and Thomas Hellman Illustratred by Marie-Ève Tremblay
Discover 10 delightful, lighthearted sing-along songs about funny irresistible animal characters, including cuddly cats and dogs who just want to be your friend, even on a rainy day! Listeners are invited to share an umbrella with a heartbroken pooch who sings the blues, a tomcat who has a soft spot for sour cream and a rambunctious little kitty who snores and growls.
Songs recorded by the Sunflowers Illustrated by Maud Legrand
Awaken children’s vocabularies with this sunny collection of folk-pop songs. These upbeat melodies and accessible lyrics were written to help budding language learners discover how to share their feelings, hopes, and dreams. Young readers will have a blast singing their hearts out to songs about emotions, courage, family, and more! The picture book features the illustrated lyrics of each song followed by activity ideas for teaching English.
MUSICAL PICTURE BOOK / ISBN 9782924217740
Hardback / Full colour / 36 pp / 21 cm x 21 cm
10 recordings (28 minutes) – With CD
Also available on major streaming platforms
Age 3 to 7 years
BIC/Thema Code B1M79 / C1M79
CBMC Code YBCS – Price £9.99
MUSICAL PICTURE BOOK / ISBN 9782925108917
Hardback / Full colour / 40 pp / 21 cm x 21 cm
12 recordings (35 minutes)
With CD + digital download code
Also available on major streaming platforms
Age 3 to 7 years
BIC/Thema Code B1M79 / C1M79
CBMC Code YBCS – Price £9.99
