Harry the Honkerzoid

Written by a primary music teacher and illustrated by his father in Hoffnung style, this is an introduction to the orchestra, that emphasises the fun in making music. Hook's amusing tale of an inept school band, an eccentric looking and impatient conductor named Mr Kronk and the coming to life of the ultimately heroic Honkerzoid will be of interest to young musicians. The overture to the story sees Chris, the second clarinetist, confused and humiliated in front of the entire orchestra, and being instructed by Mr Kronk to stay behind after rehearsals to practise his part part for 'The March of the Honkerzoids'. Alone in the hall the instruments take on a life of their own forming a single euphonious 'Honkerphone' named Harry who gives the illustrator a great opportunity to sketch full and half page black and white twisted tubes and horns for the limbs and body of this musical Frankenstein-like creation. Harry the Honkerzoid's musical spell 'Ka Chunka Choonk Ka Chonker' enables Chris to save the day when several disasters threaten to ruin the concert. The finale is the inclusion of the first and second clarinet parts for 'The March of the Honkerzoids' composed by the author himself.