English, Karen. 2004. Hot Day on Abbott Avenue. Boston : Clarion Books
It's the hottest, stickiest day of the summer. A fat-sun-in-the-sky day. An eating-ice-pops-on-the-porch day. And for Kishi and Renée, it's a best-friends-breakup day. Each girl sits on her own front porch, waiting for the other to apologize, even though they know they'll never speak to each other again, no matter how bored they get. But then the sounds of feet slapping the pavement and voices chanting double-dutch rhymes drift up the avenue, and neither one can resist going out in the street to play.
This lyrical friendship story, the first collaboration of two outstanding artists, pairs a rhythmic text with distinctive collage illustrations. Its subtle message about sharing and forgiveness will resonate with anyone who has ever experienced the ups and downs of being, and having, a best friend.
It's the hottest, stickiest day of the summer. A fat-sun-in-the-sky day. An eating-ice-pops-on-the-porch day. And for Kishi and Renée, it's a best-friends-breakup day. Each girl sits on her own front porch, waiting for the other to apologize, even though they know they'll never speak to each other again, no matter how bored they get. But then the sounds of feet slapping the pavement and voices chanting double-dutch rhymes drift up the avenue, and neither one can resist going out in the street to play.
This lyrical friendship story, the first collaboration of two outstanding artists, pairs a rhythmic text with distinctive collage illustrations. Its subtle message about sharing and forgiveness will resonate with anyone who has ever experienced the ups and downs of being, and having, a best friend.
Medearis, Angela Shelf. 1997. The Ghost of Sifty Sifty Sam. New York : Scholastics, Inc.
To win a $5000 reward, a chef named Dan agrees to stay in a haunted house overnight and when he meets a very hungry ghost, he gets more than he had expected. This is a humorous tale about a hungry ghost who finds Dan the chef at his wit's end trying to satisfy the appetite of the ghost when it gobbles up food as fast as Dan can prepare it.
To win a $5000 reward, a chef named Dan agrees to stay in a haunted house overnight and when he meets a very hungry ghost, he gets more than he had expected. This is a humorous tale about a hungry ghost who finds Dan the chef at his wit's end trying to satisfy the appetite of the ghost when it gobbles up food as fast as Dan can prepare it.
Cooke, Trish. 2003. Full, Full, Full of Love. Somerville : Candlewick
Warm, welcoming illustrations spice up this rhythmical ode to the joys of family and food – full, full, full of pleasures for all. For the youngest member of an exuberant extended family, Sunday dinner at Grannie’s can be full indeed – full of hugs and kisses, full of tasty dishes, full to the brim with happy faces, and full, full, full of love. With a special focus on the bond between little Jay Jay and his grannie, Trish Cooke introduces us to a gregarious family we are sure to want more, more, more of.
Warm, welcoming illustrations spice up this rhythmical ode to the joys of family and food – full, full, full of pleasures for all. For the youngest member of an exuberant extended family, Sunday dinner at Grannie’s can be full indeed – full of hugs and kisses, full of tasty dishes, full to the brim with happy faces, and full, full, full of love. With a special focus on the bond between little Jay Jay and his grannie, Trish Cooke introduces us to a gregarious family we are sure to want more, more, more of.
Bradby, Marie. 2000. Momma, Where Are You From? London : Orchard Books
"Momma, where are you from?" a little girl asks. Her mother's reply is filled with rich details as she recounts memories from her childhood. She recalls the cries of the ragman looking to buy worn-out clothes, the tunes of Ellington and Basie, and of the warm family gatherings that took place every Friday night.
"Momma, where are you from?" a little girl asks. Her mother's reply is filled with rich details as she recounts memories from her childhood. She recalls the cries of the ragman looking to buy worn-out clothes, the tunes of Ellington and Basie, and of the warm family gatherings that took place every Friday night.
Fredrickson, Lane. 2015. Monster Trouble! New York : Sterling
Nothing frightens Winifred Schnitzel—but she DOES need her sleep, and the neighborhood monsters WON'T let her be! Every night they sneak in, growling and belching and making a ruckus. Winifred constructs clever traps, but nothing stops these crafty creatures. What's a girl to do? (Hint: Monsters HATE kisses!) The delightfully sweet ending will have every kid—and little monster—begging for an encore.
Nothing frightens Winifred Schnitzel—but she DOES need her sleep, and the neighborhood monsters WON'T let her be! Every night they sneak in, growling and belching and making a ruckus. Winifred constructs clever traps, but nothing stops these crafty creatures. What's a girl to do? (Hint: Monsters HATE kisses!) The delightfully sweet ending will have every kid—and little monster—begging for an encore.
Cox, Judy. 2003. My Family Plays Music. New York : Holiday House
"My Family Plays Music" by Judy Cox is a story of a little girl with a very musical family. Whatever the music, bluegrass, jazz, polka, string quartet, or rock-an-roll she finds a way to play along too.
Many parents - especially if they are not musical themselves - wonder how to teach music to their preschoolers. One great way is to teach music through performance. Finding venues that play lots of different kinds of music is a good start. Even orchestra can be fun for kids if you prepare them ahead of time with what to expect. Music and movement are great ways for toddlers to learn. So letting them perform their own music too is a great activity (see the activities for kids below for more ideas how to implement this).
In the end, this book is about much more than different styles of music or teaching music to children. It is a book for children about family unity and togetherness, valuing diversity, and celebrating life.
"My Family Plays Music" by Judy Cox is a story of a little girl with a very musical family. Whatever the music, bluegrass, jazz, polka, string quartet, or rock-an-roll she finds a way to play along too.
Many parents - especially if they are not musical themselves - wonder how to teach music to their preschoolers. One great way is to teach music through performance. Finding venues that play lots of different kinds of music is a good start. Even orchestra can be fun for kids if you prepare them ahead of time with what to expect. Music and movement are great ways for toddlers to learn. So letting them perform their own music too is a great activity (see the activities for kids below for more ideas how to implement this).
In the end, this book is about much more than different styles of music or teaching music to children. It is a book for children about family unity and togetherness, valuing diversity, and celebrating life.
Newton, Vanessa. 2010. Don't Let Auntie Mabel Bless the Table. New Jersey : Blue Apple Books
Auntie Mabel and her family and friends have gathered for their big Sunday dinner and can't wait to dig into a delicious, mouthwatering meal. Before they can begin, Auntie Mabel starts and doesn't stop! ”blessing everyone and everything she surveys: the yams and Brussels sprouts, the table and chairs” even the president of the United States!
Author and illustrator Vanessa Brantley Newtons delectable celebration of food and family is a joyous appreciation of how traditions and rituals bring us, and keep us, together.
Auntie Mabel and her family and friends have gathered for their big Sunday dinner and can't wait to dig into a delicious, mouthwatering meal. Before they can begin, Auntie Mabel starts and doesn't stop! ”blessing everyone and everything she surveys: the yams and Brussels sprouts, the table and chairs” even the president of the United States!
Author and illustrator Vanessa Brantley Newtons delectable celebration of food and family is a joyous appreciation of how traditions and rituals bring us, and keep us, together.
Nelson, Vaunda Micheaux. 2015. The Book Itch Freedom, Truth & Harlems Greatest Bookstore. Minneapolis: Carolrhoda Books
Nelson and Christie bring the story of Harlem’s storied National Memorial African Bookstore to picture book readers in this companion to their 2012 YA collaboration, No Crystal Stair. The shop was opened in the 1930s by Nelson’s great-uncle, Lewis Michaux, who “started out with five books... and a mission.” Writing in the voice of Michaux’s admiring son, Nelson illuminates Lewis’s generosity (he invited those who couldn’t afford books into his shop to read) and his fervent belief in the power of words and books to change lives. Michaux’s love of words comes through in his catchy aphorisms and sales pitches (“Knowledge is power. You need it every hour. Read a book!”), which appear throughout, as well as his nickname for the shop, “The House of Common Sense and Home of Proper Propaganda.” Christie’s paintings powerfully contrast the idea of the bookstore as a refuge with the tensions of the day, particularly during a section of the book about Michaux’s friendship with Malcolm X and his anguish following the activist’s assassination. It’s an emotive tribute to Michaux’s personal and professional legacy. Ages 7–10.
Nelson and Christie bring the story of Harlem’s storied National Memorial African Bookstore to picture book readers in this companion to their 2012 YA collaboration, No Crystal Stair. The shop was opened in the 1930s by Nelson’s great-uncle, Lewis Michaux, who “started out with five books... and a mission.” Writing in the voice of Michaux’s admiring son, Nelson illuminates Lewis’s generosity (he invited those who couldn’t afford books into his shop to read) and his fervent belief in the power of words and books to change lives. Michaux’s love of words comes through in his catchy aphorisms and sales pitches (“Knowledge is power. You need it every hour. Read a book!”), which appear throughout, as well as his nickname for the shop, “The House of Common Sense and Home of Proper Propaganda.” Christie’s paintings powerfully contrast the idea of the bookstore as a refuge with the tensions of the day, particularly during a section of the book about Michaux’s friendship with Malcolm X and his anguish following the activist’s assassination. It’s an emotive tribute to Michaux’s personal and professional legacy. Ages 7–10.
Nelson, Kadir. 2005. He's Got the Whole World in His Hands. New York : Dial Books for Young Children
What began as a spiritual has developed into one of America’s best-known songs, and now for the first time it appears as a picture book, masterfully created by award-winning artist Kadir Nelson.Through sublime landscapes and warm images of a boy and his family, Kadir has created a dazzling, intimate interpretation, one that rejoices in the connectedness of people and nature. Inspired by the song’s simple message, Kadir sought to capture the joy of living in and engaging with the world. Most importantly, he wished to portray the world as a child might see it—vast and beautiful.
What began as a spiritual has developed into one of America’s best-known songs, and now for the first time it appears as a picture book, masterfully created by award-winning artist Kadir Nelson.Through sublime landscapes and warm images of a boy and his family, Kadir has created a dazzling, intimate interpretation, one that rejoices in the connectedness of people and nature. Inspired by the song’s simple message, Kadir sought to capture the joy of living in and engaging with the world. Most importantly, he wished to portray the world as a child might see it—vast and beautiful.
Woodson, Jacqueline. 2005. Show Way. New York : G.P. Putnam's Sons
Soonie's great-grandma was just seven years old when she was sold to a big plantation without her ma and pa, and with only some fabric and needles to call her own. She pieced together bright patches with names like North Star and Crossroads, patches with secret meanings made into quilts called Show Ways -- maps for slaves to follow to freedom. When she grew up and had a little girl, she passed on this knowledge. And generations later, Soonie -- who was born free -- taught her own daughter how to sew beautiful quilts to be sold at market and how to read.
From slavery to freedom, through segregation, freedom marches and the fight for literacy, the tradition they called Show Way has been passed down by the women in Jacqueline Woodson's family as a way to remember the past and celebrate the possibilities of the future. Beautifully rendered in Hudson Talbott's luminous art, this moving, lyrical account pays tribute to women whose strength and knowledge illuminate their daughters' lives
Soonie's great-grandma was just seven years old when she was sold to a big plantation without her ma and pa, and with only some fabric and needles to call her own. She pieced together bright patches with names like North Star and Crossroads, patches with secret meanings made into quilts called Show Ways -- maps for slaves to follow to freedom. When she grew up and had a little girl, she passed on this knowledge. And generations later, Soonie -- who was born free -- taught her own daughter how to sew beautiful quilts to be sold at market and how to read.
From slavery to freedom, through segregation, freedom marches and the fight for literacy, the tradition they called Show Way has been passed down by the women in Jacqueline Woodson's family as a way to remember the past and celebrate the possibilities of the future. Beautifully rendered in Hudson Talbott's luminous art, this moving, lyrical account pays tribute to women whose strength and knowledge illuminate their daughters' lives