" This book is a noisemaker's dream come true, and those looking for visual thrills won't be disappointed either, thanks to Cynthia Nugent's multitudes of costumed aunts." - Globe and Mail

Written by beloved CBC personality Bill Richardson and illustrated by Cynthia Nugent, The Aunts Come Marching is a wacky, clever and creative take on a popular campfire song, great for counting games, read-alongs, sing-alongs and all-round noisemaking! When a marching band of aunts (yes, aunts-not ants!) arrive for a visit, they bring with them all their musical instruments-and a cacophony of fun.

The Aunts Come Marching was also shortlisted for the 2008 Ruth and Sylvia Schwartz Children's Book Award, recognizing artistic excellence in writing and illustration in Canadian children's literature.

Bill Richardson is known across the country as the host of Richardson’s Round-up, heard daily on CBC Radio One. A writer, broadcaster and raconteur, Richardson originally wrote about the goings-on of Hector, Virgil, and company for broadcast on CBC Radio’s Gabereau. He has published eight books, including two sequels to Bachelor Brothers’ Bed & Breakfast: Bachelor Brothers’ Bedside Companion and Bachelor Brothers’ Bed & Breakfast Pillow Book. Bachelor Brothers’ Bed & Breakfast, was the winner of the Stephen Leacock Medal for Humour. A frequent contributor to newspapers and magazines, Richardson makes frequent public appearances reading poetry, narrating musical works, giving keynote speeches, and signing books. He lives in beautiful Vancouver, British Columbia.

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The Aunts Come Marching

On a quiet, relaxing day, solitude is broken with the arrival of a number of musical relatives. Numerous aunts, with musical accompaniment, march in to take over the peaceful household to the delight of the children. As the succession of musical aunts arrive with their big bass drums, piccolos, sousaphones, cymbals, trumpets, bagpipes, bassoons, harps, kazoos, trombones and saxophones, Dad sends them upstairs to the great room. After the last group led by Auntie Gwen arrives and ascends the stairs, Dad makes his exit to seek solace once again. The Aunts Come Marching is illustrated with large full-page illustrations of imaginatively attired aunts. Children will love counting the aunts, singing the lyrics (music provided) to the story and moving to the rhythm.

Magazine The Aunts Come Marching

Ten musical aunts create a cacophony of fun that delights the children but leaves poor Dad frazzled and needing peace and quiet. This wacky and lively take on a popular campfire song features bright and boisterous illustrations.