Classical Music Storytime: The Bear and the Piano
- Kayla Collingwood
- Jul 22
- 3 min read
Today, we’re blending the charm of David Litchfield’s The Bear and the Piano with beautiful classical works composed for the piano in this musical storytime adventure. I've selected music excerpts to match different points in the story - maybe The Bear played these works himself!
About Me
Who am I? Hi! I’m Kayla Collingwood, founder of Sound Garden and a passionate classical singer, educator, and creator.
Why trust me? Because as well as my work singing and teaching, I also worked in early childhood and as a nanny at various points in my life. Child development through play and storytelling is very important to me. Beyond that, helping listeners of all ages to connect with classical music and the world around them more broadly is my goal!
I’m so glad you’re here. Take a look around the rest of the site after you finish reading this post!
The Bear and the Piano
"One day in the forest, a young bear cub found something he'd never seen before"
Music: Claude Debussy – Rêverie
Soft, dreamy and hushed - just like Bear’s first encounter with the piano.
Try this: Invite little ones to close their eyes and imagine what the piano sounds like in the woods. What colours or animals come to mind?
"PLONK!”
Music: Sergei Prokofiev – Suggestion Diabolique
Jumpy, uneven, and slightly chaotic - perfect for that first accidental note from someone who’s never touched a piano before.
Try this: Invite children to make their own “PLONK!” sound using body percussion (clapping, stamping, other body movements/sounds) or toy instruments.
"The sounds that came from the strange thing were beautiful"
Music: Frederic Chopin - 24 Préludes, Op. 28 : No. 4, Largo in E Minor
Delicate and emotional - perfectly expressing the bear’s quiet awe as he discovers the piano’s voice.
💡 Try this: Invite children to slowly move their hands in the air as if they’re painting music - slow, soft, exploring.
"Then, one night, a girl and her father came across the clearing"
Music: Modest Mussorgsky – Pictures at an Exhibition: Promenade
Bold, steady, and full of anticipation, this well-known theme evokes the feeling of stepping into something new, like the start of a journey.
💡 Try this: Have children walk proudly in time to the music as if heading into a big adventure. What might the bear be thinking? What might he see in the city?
"The bear's name was up in big, bright lights in the big, bright city"
Music: Sergei Rachmaninoff – Piano Concerto No. 2, 1st Movement
Grand, cinematic, and full of grandeur - ideal for capturing Bear’s stardom and the dazzling world he steps into.
Try this: Children mime taking bows onstage, or strike a “celebrity” pose with a spotlight on them.
"But deep down, something tugged at the bear's heart"
Music: Amy Beach – Dreaming, Op. 15 No. 3 (from Four Sketches for piano)
Gently melancholic and lyrical, Dreaming captures that quiet ache of longing with tender phrasing and flowing lines—just right for Bear’s moment of reflection.
💡 Try this: Invite children to sit or lie quietly and listen. Ask: What does this music remind you of? Can you draw a place you miss, or someone special?
"But when the bear reached the familiar clearing, it was empty"
Music: Arvo Pärt – Spiegel im Spiegel
Still, spacious, and quietly emotional, allowing space for Bear to reflect on his situation and his emotions.
💡 Try this: Encourage everyone to stay very still. Sometimes stillness tells the story better than words.
"For the bear had not been forgotten"
Music: Florence Price – Three Roses
Elegant and full of quiet warmth, Three Roses unfolds like a gentle embrace - just right for the bear’s return and the love that’s been waiting for him all along.
💡 Try this: Ask children to pretend to be one of the animals greeting the bear. What would they say or do? Then, draw a “welcome back” banner.
"...he sat down to play once more"
Music: Ludwig van Beethoven – Sonata No. 30 in E Major, Op. 109, 1st movement
Bright, optimistic, and full of fresh energy, this movement captures the bear’s joyful return and renewed spirit. It’s a perfect celebration of homecoming and heartfelt music-making.
💡 Try this: Invite children to imagine they are Bear playing for his friends - encourage big smiles, open arms, and feeling the music in their whole bodies.
Final Thoughts
Which part of the story is your favourite? Which musical excerpt is your favourite? Which story should we do next? Let me know!
If you would like to further explore the composers and works mentioned in this post, explore the site and check out the resources, products, and services offered via Sound Garden/Kayla Collingwood!
Happy listening!
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