Symphony of Stories ABC Classic 100 Greatest of all Time

Here is a fantastic opportunity to link books with classical music - the ABC Classic 100 Greatest of all Time included all of these (and wait until you scroll down and see Number 2 - YES!:

Bluey Season 2 – Episode 26

Symphony of Stories - vintage book series

Take a look at this Pinterest of picture books and images to link with the slogan

Perhaps you recognise these books (see below) called Fantasia Pictorial and have them in your school library. They were published in the 1970s and had the MOST amazing illustrations by different Japanese illustrators. 

This series would be SO perfect to read this year and link with the CBCA slogan "Symphony of Stories". I guess most libraries will have 'weeded' these books which makes me sad but you could use this list of stories as a way to extend your discussions about the 2026 slogan OR you could share these famous pieces of music with your school music teacher if you are lucky enough to have one. AND check out this list of 10 of the best pieces of classical music for children from Classic FM (note the video links do contain advertising). I also found this set of lessons from BBC aimed at Primary level students. 

I am guessing this series Fantasia Pictorial was linked with the famous Fantasia movie which included The Nutcracker Suite; The Sorcerer's Apprentice; and Night on Bald Mountain.

Here are some covers from the Fantasia Pictorial series plus other more recent picture book editions of these famous stories:

Here is my Carnival of the Animals Pinterest collection

I couldn't find a picture book for this famous music

I have a detailed post about The Nutcracker penned in 2024

Read more about William Tell here

It might be good to hunt out other ballet stories books such as these:

Inked by Karen Wasson illustrated by Jake A Minton

When I read the title of this book I thought it was about tattoos - I should have looked more closely at the cover - can you see the octopus. His name is Otto and Otto is an opera singer but instead of arriving in Rome ready to perform at the famous opera house he finds himself in Rone. 

He is in the wrong town but also in the wrong place - this is a fish shop and humans eat calamari (octopus). Meanwhile twelve-year-old Sid scores a place in the art school of his dreams but his family have no money and the fish shop is not going well because a rival over the road is offering cheaper meals. 

How can a singing octopus save the day? 

Inked is a madcap adventure told as a graphic novel. It looks like a long book with close to 300 pages but the format means you will read it very quickly and also you will want to read it all in one gulp because, while you know there must be a happy ending, I was desperate to see if my predictions came true (they didn't).

Bookseller blurb: When 12-year-old Sid discovers a talking octopus in his family’s fish shop, he is shocked – and annoyed. Otto the octopus is cheeky, demanding, and won’t leave Sid alone until he helps Otto get to the ocean … roughly 300 kilometres away! But Sid has bigger fish to fry. He has to figure out how to get into the art school of his dreams, or else high school next year will be a nightmare.    Can these frenemies find a way to work together, or will it all end in disaster? Or even worse … will Sid and Otto realise they actually make a pretty great team? Brimming with hilarity, hijinks and plenty of heart, the first graphic novel from author Karen Wasson and CBCA-acclaimed illustrator Jake A Minton sparkles with slapstick humour and fish-out-of-water misunderstandings. With extraordinary full-colour artwork and a bonus 'making of' section at the end, readers of all ages will be surprised and delighted with this stand-out suburban adventure for middle-grade readers. Prepare to get INKED!

You can see more pages inside Inked here

Check out more about Jake A Minton on his Instagram page. I was a CBCA Judge when Jake A Minton's first book was published - it was submitted for the New Illustrator award - "There's no such Book".

Inked is a 2026 CBCA Younger Readers shortlist title. Here are the judges' comments:

If I was introducing or book talking Inked with a group of students (Grade 4 and up) I would begin with the music from this story. It would be fun to involve your school music teacher if you have one. You could just listen to these extracts for a minute or two.

• M'ama, sì, m'ama, lo vedo, lo vedo! from the Donizetti's Opera (video from YouTube) 
• Here is a terrific orchestral version of Twinkle Twinkle Little Star
• La donna e mobile Verdi (here is Pavarotti)
• Octopus's Garden
• Cry me a river (here is Michael Buble)
• Recitar mentre preso del delirio (video from YouTube)

Here are the teachers notes which oddly do not mention the music. 

A quick summary of the plot makes this book sound completely absurd, but readers will be surprised and delighted by thoughtful character development, witty dialogue, and Jake A. Minton’s warm, polished artwork. Inked is a strangely compelling reading experience with a filmic style and energy. An excellent, wildly entertaining read for ages 9+. Readings Melbourne

Brimming with hilarity, hijinks and plenty of heart, the first graphic novel from author Karen Wasson and CBCA-acclaimed illustrator Jake A Minton sparkles with slapstick humour and fish-out-of-water misunderstandings. With extraordinary full-colour artwork and a bonus 'making of' section at the end, readers of all ages will be surprised and delighted with this stand-out suburban adventure for middle-grade readers. Lamont Books