For more than 20 years, some of our favorite musical stories have lived inside the classrooms at Little School of Music.
Children have sung them, acted them out, laughed at the characters, played the games, and learned musical concepts through their adventures. Now, those stories have a way to travel.
Once Upon a Tune is a children’s music book series inspired by the way we actually teach music at Little School of Music, through stories, characters, songs, movement, imagination, and play.
A Little Piece of Miss Mindy’s Music Classroom
Young children often understand ideas best when they can experience them, not just hear an explanation. That’s why storytelling has always been such an important part of our early childhood music programs.
Over the years, Miss Mindy created characters, adventures, games, and songs to help children connect with musical concepts in ways that felt natural and memorable. Some of these stories have been told to hundreds of children.
We’ve had the opportunity to watch what makes them laugh, which characters they remember, what ideas they connect with, and which musical concepts stay with them long after class is over. The stories have grown and changed right alongside the children who helped bring them to life. Eventually, we began asking:
Why should a child have to be standing inside Little School of Music to experience them?
That question became Once Upon a Tune.
More Than a Story About Music
Each Once Upon a Tune book is designed to feel a little bit like stepping into Miss Mindy’s music classroom. Children are introduced to a musical idea and then invited into a story where the characters help bring that concept to life through an adventure.
When the story ends, we return to the classroom with activities and opportunities to explore what was introduced in the book. So these aren’t simply children’s stories that happen to be about music. They are inspired by the way children actually learn at Little School of Music, now packaged so those experiences can reach children far beyond our classrooms.
Who Is Once Upon a Tune For?
Once Upon a Tune is designed for anyone who wants to help a young child explore music through imagination and play.
Parents and grandparents can enjoy the stories together at home. Music teachers can use them to introduce or reinforce musical concepts. Early childhood educators and classroom teachers can incorporate them into lessons and activities. Homeschool families can use them as part of their music learning, and libraries or children’s programs can use them to introduce music in an approachable, engaging way.
No musical background is required.
Just bring your curiosity. 🌈🎵
Meet Note
The very first book in the series is: Note’s Special Day at the Park
In Note’s first adventure, children are introduced to the colorful world of Once Upon a Tune, where music, storytelling, imagination, and learning all come together. This is the first book in a planned 10-book series, along with two bonus stories, so there are many more adventures still to come.
Read the Book
Want to meet Note? Read the digital edition of Note’s Special Day at the Park below.
Bring Note Home
Love the story and want your own copy?
Purchase a hard copy of Note’s Special Day at the Park here!
Perfect for reading at home, sharing in a classroom, adding to a music studio library, or giving to a young music lover.
The Adventure Is Just Beginning
For years, these stories could only be experienced by children inside Little School of Music. Now they can travel to homes, classrooms, music studios, libraries, schools, and communities far beyond our walls. We’re so excited to finally share them.
Welcome to Once Upon a Tune. 🌈🎶📚
Small Note. Big Adventures.
Thank you for celebrating Note’s Book Launch Birthday Party on September 27th, 2026!
