Carl Orff devoted much of his life to music for children. His pioneering work continues under the guidance of teachers and educators in many countries. The five basic German volumes of Music for Children by Carl Orff and Gunild Keetman were published between 1950 and 1954. The considerable growth of Orff Schulwerk in the United States led to the publication of the American Edition (1977) to satisfy the requirements of a different educational system and national heritage. Music for Children is a stimulating source of material for music teaching.

Contents of this first volume include: speech and rhythmic exercises, nursery rhymes, songs, instrumental pieces and melodic exercises using only the five note scale, with instructions and notes. Illustrated. Includes: Cuckoo ¢ Pat-a-cake ¢ Little Tommy Tucker ¢ Wee Willie Winkie ¢ Bye, baby bunting ¢ Ring-a-ring o'roses ¢ Grey goose and gander Walk down the path ¢ Two little dicky birds ¢ Tommy's fallen in the pond ¢ Unk, unk, unk ¢ Tom, Tom the piper's son ¢ My little pony ¢ Cross-patch ¢ Warm hands warm ¢ Shoe the little horse ¢ Polly put the kettle on ¢ Cuckoo, where are you? ¢ Early to bed ¢ The baker ¢ The day is now over ¢ Little Boy Blue ¢ There was an old woman ¢ One to make ready ¢ The north wind doth blow ¢ O Lady Mary Ann ¢ I love sixpence ¢ Ding, dong, the bells do ring ¢ The Campbells are coming ¢ The grand old Duke of York ¢ Oliver Crombwell ¢ Allelujy ¢ Where are you going to, my pretty maid? ¢ Farewell to the Old Year ¢ Pippa's song ¢ The cuckoo is a clever bird ¢ Old Angus McTavish ¢ Boomfallera