The Story Orchestra: Alice's Adventures in Wonderland illustrated by Jessica Courtney-Tickle
Publisher: Francis Lincoln Children's Books
Format Read: E-book
Number of pages: 24 pages
Publishing: October 6th, 2026
Source: Edelweiss +
The Story Orchestra series of picture books blends classical music with charming illustrations and retellings of famous ballets and classic stories. Ten pages feature a musical note button that, when pressed, plays a short clip of music by well-known composers and musicians. Other titles in the series include The Nutcracker, Sleeping Beauty, and Swan Lake. In Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, the featured composer is Joby Talbot. At the back of the book, readers can learn more about the composer, explore a musical glossary explaining terms such as "Bell Tree" and "Cacophony," and find a complete list of the musical selections included in the story.
Unfortunately, my E-ARC didn't include functioning sound buttons. However, I was encouraged to look up the pieces listed in the glossary to get the flavor of Joby Talbot's music. Online, I discovered that Joby Talbot was commissioned by the Royal Ballet and Opera House to compose the score for Alice in Wonderland. I also found a suite titled "The Mad Hater's Tea Party," though I can't confirm whether this is the same music featured in the picture book until the final edition is released.
The beginning stays true to the original, with Alice sitting by the riverbank with her sister when she notices the White Rabbit rushing by wearing a waistcoat and jacket. Curious, she follows him. From there, Alice's journey takes a slightly different path than the classic tale, but the adorable illustrations make these changes feel playful rather than distracting. The musical accompaniment will no doubt enhance children's enjoyment even further.
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