The Tallest of Smalls


Max Lucado - 2009
    Every evening a six, the Too-Smalls meet in the squarewhere they hope they'll be picked to receive stilts to strut aboutabove the stilt-less masses below. They come to see if they matter--ifthey're awesome, if they're pretty, if they're clever, or funny. Ollie, the smallest of too-smalls, pleas to be picked. He wants to be like thehigh-ups of Stiltsville who are proud of their stilts, the ultimatestatus. But once he gets stilts, oh how it hurts when he stumbles andtumbles and loses his stilts. That is . . . until he meets Jesus whochose low over high telling him, "Keep your feet on the ground. Youmatter already." This book for kids coordinates with Max's trade book, Fearless, releasing in September 2009.

Down by the Bay


Raffi Cavoukian - 1988
    In this friendly board book edition, irresistible art by Nadine Bernard Westcott depicts wonderfully amusing creatures such as a bear combing his hair, a goose kissing a moose, and a whale with a polka-dot tail. Very young children will find this book both entertaining and instructive in early language skills such as rhyme, rhythm, and repetition, and will delight in hearing it read or sung aloud to them.

Rock 'n' Roll Soul


Susan Verde - 2018
    She notices the sounds around her, like the brrrrring of the school bell or the rappa-tappa-tap of rain on the windowpane. But the talent show is the place to reveal her own voice. Will she mix up some hip-hop beats? Will she command an orchestra of dozens, bringing the classics to life? Or, will she go electric, Jimi Hendrix style? Marching out on the talent show stage to the beat of her own drum, this sweet and sassy musician ultimately chooses to be herself and sing her own song loud and proud, “I’ve got a rock ’n’ roll soul!”

Cat Talk


Patricia MacLachlan - 2013
    Authors Patricia MacLachlan and Emily MacLachlan Charest and illustrator Barry Moser give voice to and celebrate our most opinionated furry friends in this spirited collection of poems filled with rich language, perfect for reading aloud. Cat Talk is sure to make readers wonder what their own four-legged friends have to say.Supports the Common Core State Standards

Teach Your Buffalo to Play Drums


Audrey Vernick - 2011
    Does your buffalo pound on pots and pans?Tap out rhythms at the dinner table?It’s not as unusual as you might think.He’s simply at the start of an exciting new journey.A very loud musical journey that begins by teaching your buffalo to play drums.(Did we mention it might be loud?)From the author and illustrator of Is Your Buffalo Ready for Kindergarten? comes this hilarious musical romp about encouraging your buffalo to find his inner rock star.

Annie Bananie


Leah Komaiko - 1987
    So when she has to move away, her playmate cannot believe it -- until she realizes that even far apart, they can still be best friends.

Jazzmatazz!


Stephanie Calmenson - 2008
    They're drumming, fiddling, singing, dancing, and jazzmatazz jamming!Stephanie Calmenson's sing-aloud words and Bruce Degen's eye-dancing pictures bring music to every page.What kind of music will you make?

Dragon Makes New Friends


Michael Yu - 2013
    How can he show them that he'd be a good friend? Or maybe he's just too scared to try. Poor Drake. Find out what happens to him in this fun story told in rhyme, accompanied by beautiful illustrations.Another quality children picture book from the father and daughter team of Michael and Rachel Yu.BONUS: FREE COLORING BOOK INSIDE ** Amazon Prime Members can download this book for FREE! **

Yeti, Turn Out the Light!


Greg Long - 2013
    But something is not right! Shadows lurk, sounds creak, and there are monsters...or are there? This entertaining bedtime book featuring the fierce and frenetic GAMAGO Yeti will amuse and delight kids, all while encouraging them to turn out the light and go to sleep!

Every Little Thing: Based on the Song 'Three Little Birds' by Bob Marley


Cedella Marley Booker - 2012
    Now a whole new generation can discover one of his most joyous songs in this reassuring picture book adaptation written by his daughter Cedella and exuberantly illustrated by Vanessa Brantley-Newton. This upbeat story reminds children that the sun will always come out after the rain and mistakes are easily forgiven with a hug. Every family will relate to this universal story of one boy who won't let anything get him down, as long as he has the help of three very special little birds. Including all the lyrics of the original song plus new verses, this cheerful book will bring a smile to faces of all ages—because every little thing's gonna be all right!

Ben's Trumpet


Rachel Isadora - 1979
    Using the art-deco style of the period, Rachel Isadora not only captures the poignancy and yearning of a youthful talent, but in page after page of striking art seems to convey the very sound of music.

Halloween Hats


Elizabeth Winthrop - 2002
    But where are they going?Come join the bats, witches, ghosts, and goblins as they march down the street to a great big Halloween party.Full of fun and surprises, the bouncy rhythm and exuberant pictures will make readers want to pick up a hat and try something new.

Song of Middle C


Alison McGhee - 2009
    And for a little girl facing her first recital of "Dance of the Wood Elves," so do artistry, imagination (those wood elves sure love to dance!), and lucky underwear for good measure. Is she nervous as she waits and waits for her turn on stage? Hoo boy, no! She’s as cool as a cucumber! Every child who has felt the pressure of the spotlight will smile at this comical tale of bravado that turns a onenote performance into an improvisation worthy of a standing ovation. Splendissimo!

The Frazzle Family Finds a Way


Ann Bonwill - 2013
    Mr. Frazzle forgets his trousers, Wags the dog can't find bone, and Annie and Ben bring fishing poles and towels to school instead of their homework. Not even Aunt Rosemary with her organizational tips can help. But one day Annie has an idea that combines rhyme, recall, and song into a melodic way to remember in this warmhearted tribute to compensating for weaknesses.

The Roots of Rap: 16 Bars on the 4 Pillars of Hip-Hop


Carole Boston Weatherford - 2019
    And to be hip-hop-to truly be it-we must remember that we are also funk, jazz, soul, folktale, and poetry. We must remember that . . . we are who we are!" ―Jason Reynolds, New York Times best-selling author"Starting with its attention-getting cover, this picture book does an excellent job of capturing the essence of rap . . . This tribute to hip hop culture will appeal to a wide audience, and practically demands multiple readings." ―Booklist, STARRED REVIEW"No way around it, this book is supa-dupa fly, with lush illustrations anchored in signature hip-hop iconography for the future of the global hip-hop nation." ―Kirkus Reviews, STARRED REVIEW"With short, rhyming lines and dramatic portraits of performers, the creative team behind How Sweet the Sound: The Story of Amazing Grace offers a dynamic introduction to hip-hop. . . . This artful introduction to one of the most influential cultural movements of the 20th century pulses with the energy and rhythm of its subject." ―Publishers Weekly, STARRED REVIEWExplore the roots of rap in this stunning, rhyming, triple-timing picture book!A generation voicing stories, hopes, and fearsfounds a hip-hop nation.Say holler if you hear.The roots of rap and the history of hip-hop have origins that precede DJ Kool Herc and Grandmaster Flash. Kids will learn about how it evolved from folktales, spirituals, and poetry, to the showmanship of James Brown, to the culture of graffiti art and break dancing that formed around the art form and gave birth to the musical artists we know today. Written in lyrical rhythm by award-winning author and poet Carole Boston Weatherford and complete with flowing, vibrant illustrations by Frank Morrison, this book beautifully illustrates how hip-hop is a language spoken the whole world 'round, and it features a foreword by Swizz Beatz, a Grammy Award-winning American hip-hop rapper, DJ, and record producer.