Our piano books are known for their loveable characters, and the most loveable of them all are Muttzart and Ratmaninoff.
These goofy “frenemies” star in our newest resource that is perfect for students who are beginning to play with eighth notes, or who need some extra reinforcement.
Muttzart and Ratmaninoff, In the Hole of the Backyard King, is our newest addition to Andrea and Trevor Dow’s Very Useful Piano Library.
You can get it on Amazon right now or take a visual tour in today’s post.

A Comic-Based Songbook To Reinforce Eighth Notes
Playing eighth notes is not particularly hard. The problem is, however, that they look very intimidating.
And to young piano students, the appearance of music is everything.
For this reason, Muttzart and Ratmaninoff, In the Hole of the Backyard King is the perfect resource to reinforce eighth notes with your level 1B piano students.
With loveable characters, a hilarious comic-based story, pedagogically appropriate piano pieces, rhythm work, improv, games, and exercises, this resource will have your children welcoming eighth notes!
Today we are happy to announce that Muttzart and Ratmaninoff, In the Hole of the Backyard King, is now available on Amazon.
You can get it here or check out the preview pages below.
Let’s Take A Look Inside:
1. Piano Pieces
The piano pieces in Muttzart and Ratmaninoff, In the Hole of the Backyard King are composed for level 1B piano students and reinforce playing music with eighth notes.
In another “unique-to-WunderKeys” approach, we’ve designed this book so that engaging piano songs follow along with a hilarious comic adventure. View sample pages below:


2. Activity Pages
Interspersed throughout the book are activity pages to supplement the music. These activity pages include a sight-reading exercise, a composing activity, note reading games, an improv activity, a timed test, and a Color-It Note Reading Mystery Picture. Here are a few samples of these pages:


3. Warm-up Exercises
Muttzart and Ratmaninoff, In the Hole of the Backyard King begins with two pages of getting ready, warm-up exercises that students should perform at the beginning of every practice session to boost note-reading skills, coordination, and finger strength.

4. A Practice Tracker
Kids practice more often when they take ownership of their learning. At the end of Muttzart and Ratmaninoff, In the Hole of the Backyard King, students will find a practice tracker page where they can keep track of their hard work in a kid-friendly way.
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5. A Certificate Of Achievement
Upon completion of Muttzart and Ratmaninoff, In the Hole of the Backyard King, students receive a Certificate of Achievement to reward their efforts. Simply cut out the certificate, fill in the relevant details, and present it to the deserving student.

Buy It Now On Amazon
If you have a late level 1 piano student you will definitely want to hop on over to Amazon right now and pick up Muttzart and Ratmaninoff, In the Hole of the Backyard King.
More From The Very Useful Piano Library
If you are looking for more exciting resources from Andrea and Trevor Dow’s Very Useful Piano Library be sure to check out the following titles (click on the cover or the link below each book).
Click here to buy now. Piano Book Announcement! Muttzart And Ratmaninoff Are Back









My student is working on the composition book The Curious Case of Muttzart and Ratmaninoff. When she finishes it (in about three weeks), what is the next composition book in your series?
Hello! This is the only book in this series 🙂 So glad she’s enjoyed it!