Music & Tales is a music-based storytelling project creating bilingual, singable children’s books and companion songs. Their mission is simple: To empower kids through music. What began with one reimagined nursery rhyme has grown into a collection of stories, songs, and resources for children, families, educators, and therapists. Many of the songs from the books are also available as recordings on streaming platforms, inviting children to engage through reading, listening, singing, and playing.
Lunar New Year Giveaway
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3. Comment on the giveaway post
A winner will be selected from the Facebook Group on 2/03/2026.
Lunar New Year
A celebration of cultural heritage, family traditions, and the joy of passing stories from one generation to the next. This beautifully illustrated bilingual sing-along book retells a traditional Lunar New Year nursery rhyme, inviting families to sing in English or Mandarin with Pinyin for easy learning. Colorful musical scores guide children in playing the melody on the piano or keyboard.
The Fishing Song
A bilingual, singable book inspired by a traditional Taiwanese nursery rhyme. Sing in English or Mandarin with Pinyin support, and follow color-coded keys to play the melody on the piano. Designed to make music approachable. We used a piano app on the iPad, and within minutes, my son was playing the song with no prior experience. This book sparked my daughter’s interest in music, and she began asking for piano lessons.
Check out the video of my son playing the fishing song.
Build A Plane
A bilingual, singable story about two brave girls who build a plane and set off on an inspiring journey learning to chase their dreams through persistence, creativity, and friendship. With singable spreads and a printed musical score, children can explore English, Mandarin, and music together in one engaging book.
Here and Now
Celebrate motherhood and the everyday moments of connection between parent and child. Featuring lyrics in English and Chinese with pinyin, the book invites families to slow down, sing together, and be present. Color-coded music keys make it easy for caregivers and children to play the song on the piano, xylophone, and other instruments—no musical background required.
About Isabelle Engler, Creator of Music & Tales
Isabelle Engler is a board-certified music therapist, children’s author, songwriter, and concert pianist. She is the creator of four bilingual, singable children’s books that blend music, story, and language to foster connection across cultures and generations. Isabelle previously built a NICU music therapy program within one of the largest healthcare systems in Texas and now focuses on creating music-based resources for children and families worldwide through Music & Tales (@musicandtales). Isabelle splits her time between Taipei and North Texas, writing stories and songs, publishing with Music & Tales, and raising three bilingual children – continuing to explore how music can empower kids and bring families together.
A Personal Message From Isabelle
My story with music began at the piano. I spent many years studying, training, and performing as a concert pianist, while also working in Silicon Valley as a product manager building artificial-intelligence products. Music was always part of my life – but for a long time, I understood it primarily as performance.
Everything changed when I became a mother.
As a new mom, music took on a deeper meaning. I found myself singing and playing for my baby every day, watching how music helped her calm, regulate, and light up emotionally. Music was no longer just something I performed – it became a powerful way to connect. That curiosity led me to explore the science behind these moments, eventually guiding me back to school to study music therapy, where I could combine music, psychology, and clinical work.
One experience in particular shaped the direction of my work. While working at a children’s hospital, I met a young girl who had developed selective mutism following a stem-cell transplant. Mandarin was her native language, so instead of singing in English, I sang to her in Mandarin. Through music, her personality began to re-emerge – her eyes lit up, and she slowly reconnected with the world around her. To support her emotional and developmental goals, I created bilingual, singable materials tailored to her needs.
When I searched for similar resources, I realized there weren’t enough bilingual, culturally-responsive, singable materials available for children and families. So I decided to create them myself. That spark became Music & Tales.
You can find her books at www.musicandtales.org/books or connect with Isabelle through Instagram @musicandtales
