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An inspiring portrait of an immigrant and the gift he gave his new home.Persecuted as Jews, Izzy Baline and his…
family emigrated from Russia to New York, where he fell in love with his new country. He heard music everywhere and was full to bursting with his own. Izzy's thump-two-three, ting-a-ling, whee tunes soon brought him acclaim as the sought-after songwriter Irving Berlin. He ignited the imaginations of fellow countrymen and women with his Broadway and Hollywood numbers, crafting tunes that have become classics we still sing today.But when darker times came and the nation went to war, it was time for Irving to compose a new kind of song:A boom-rah-rah song.A big brass belter.A loud heart-melter.A song for America.And so "God Bless America" was born, the heart swelling standard that Americans have returned to again and again after its 1918 composition.This is the tale of how a former refugee gave America one of its most celebrated patriotic songs. With stirring, rhythmic text by Adah Nuchi and delightful, energetic art by Rob Polivka, readers will be ready to hum along to this exuberant picturebook.Ramones: The Unauthorized Biography (Band Bios)
By Soledad Romero Mariño. 2020
Behind-the-scenes stories and sophisticated artwork will give lifelong buffs and new fans alike a rare glimpse into the world of…
one of the most iconic bands ever, the Ramones!The Ramones are punk rock. It started in Queens, New York in the early seventies. Four shy boys who couldn't even play instruments got a couple guitars, found some ripped jeans and black leather jackets, and took over the world of punk.Lifelong rockers and new fans alike will love learning more about Joey, Johnny, Tommy, and Dee Dee and their journey to change the world of punk rock forever. So hurry, hurry, hurry, turn up the volume, and discover why their legendary music will continue to live on for generations to come.Hold On to Your Music: The Inspiring True Story of the Children of Willesden Lane
By Mona Golabek, Lee Cohen. 2021
Discover the inspiring illustrated true story about one girl's escape from the Holocaust to become a concert pianist against all…
odds, made popular by the beloved novel The Children of Willesden Lane.In pre-World War II Vienna, Lisa Jura was a musical prodigy who dreamed of becoming a concert pianist. But when enemy forces threatened the city—particularly the Jewish people that lived there—Lisa's parents were forced to make a difficult decision. They chose to send Lisa to London for safety through the Kindertransport—a rescue effort that relocated Jewish children. As Lisa yearned to be reunited with her family while living in a home for refugee children on Willesden Lane, her music became a beacon of hope for those around her.A true story of courage, survival, and determination, this compelling tribute to a gifted young girl has already touched the lives of many around the world. Originally published in 2017 for older readers, The Children of Willesden Lane has sold hundreds of thousands of copies globally; now this picture book retelling will inspire a new generation.Baby Janis: A Book about Nouns (Baby Rocker)
By Running Press. 2021
Introduce your littlest rocker to early concepts through the creativity of Janis Joplin in this fun and entertaining book that…
is perfect for the next generation of music lovers. Featuring eleven spreads pairing elements of Janis Joplin with simple words, this is the book for any Janis fan, young or old. Baby Janis teaches babies and toddlers a variety of nouns (heart, baby, half moon, pearl, tattoo, guitar, etc.).An inspiring, empowering, fantastically feminist and totally true story, perfect for fans of Little People, Big Dreams and Goodnight Stories…
for Rebel Girls! Meet the incredible Brontë family - Charlotte, Emily, Anne and Branwell Brontë are no ordinary children. Growing up on the wild, lonely moors of Yorkshire, they have nothing to entertain them but their imaginations and each other. So they invent extraordinary imaginery worlds, full of wars and love stories, soldiers, heroes and villains, ruled over by powerful women. As they grow up, the Brontës discover that the real world isn't such a great place to be a girl. But they are so determined that their voices be heard, they overcome almost unbeatable odds to be bestselling authors. This is the absolutely astonishing, fantastically feminist and, best of all, totally true story of one amazing family!Dave the Potter: Artist, Poet, Slave
By Laban Carrick Hill. 2010
To us it is just dirt, the ground we walk on... But to Dave it was clay, the plain and…
basic stuff upon which he formed a life as a slave nearly 200 years ago. Dave was an extraordinary artist, poet, and potter living in South Carolina in the 1800s. He combined his superb artistry with deeply observant poetry, carved onto his pots, transcending the limitations he faced as a slave. In this inspiring and lyrical portrayal, National Book Award nominee Laban Carrick Hill's elegantly simple text and award-winning artist Bryan Collier's resplendent, earth-toned illustrations tell Dave's story, a story rich in history, hope, and long-lasting beauty.Winner of the Coretta Scott King MedalThe Daring Nellie Bly: America's Star Reporter
By Bonnie Christensen. 2003
From the award-winning picture book biographer of Woody Guthrie comes the inspirational story of Nellie Bly. Born in 1864, during…
a time in which options were extremely limited for women, Nellie defied all expectations and became a famous newspaper correspondent. Her daring exploits included committing herself to an infamous insane asylum in New York City to expose the terrible conditions there and becoming the first American war correspondent of either sex to report on the front lines of Austria during World War I. In 1889, Nellie completed her most publicized stunt, her world-famous trip around the world in just 72 days, beating the record of Jules Vernes’ fictional hero inAround the World in 80 Days. With an informative text and pen-and-ink illustrations reminiscent of the graphic style of the late 1800s,The Daring Nellie Blycaptures the independent spirit of America’s first star reporter, Nellie Bly. From the Hardcover edition.Out of Darkness: The Jeff Healey Story
By Cindy Watson. 2010
Short-listed for the 2011 Golden Oak Award From the moment three-year-old Jeff Healey first laid a guitar across his lap…
in what was to become his signature style, it was clear he was no ordinary kid. Losing both eyes to retinoblastoma, a rare form of cancer, opened a door to another world for Jeff, a newly adopted infant. Out of darkness he created music, becoming one of the most influential blues-rock and jazz performers of our time, beginning with his first hit album, See the Light. In this up-close and personal account, loaded with never-before-seen photographs, memorabilia, and intimate recollections of family, friends, and fellow musicians, we discover this unique music icon’s dynamic career, which saw him collaborate with everyone from George Harrison and Eric Clapton to B.B. King and Stevie Ray Vaughan. From Jeff’s lonely start one snowy night at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Toronto to his untimely end in the same building, we come away with a potent message of empowerment and a renewed sense of hope.Only the Best: The Exceptional Life and Fashion of Ann Lowe
By Kate Messner, Margaret E. Powell. 2022
An inspiring picture book biography of the amazing Anne Lowe, the first nationally-known African American fashion designer! A careful snip,…
a delicate fold.Fabric the color of new petals.Skirts that flare like upside-down blossoms.A garden bursts into bloom! There is no "good enough."For Ann, only the best will do. Award-winning author Kate Messner, costume historian Margaret E. Powell, and fashion designer and illustrator Erin Robinson tell the powerful story of the ground-breaking Ann Lowe, who grew up in a small Alabama dress shop and became the first nationally-known African American fashion designer. Sought after by millionaires and movie stars, her designs walked the red carpet and graced the wedding of Senator John F. Kennedy and Jacqueline Bouvier. At a time when the world around her thought African Americans deserved no more than second-class treatment, Ann expects no less of herself, and no less FOR herself, than the BEST. THE FIRST, FAMED BLACK FASHION DESIGNER: Although she faced many hardships, Anne's spirit, talent, and belief in herself always shone through. This story provides an empowering, real-life role model for young girls—and especially Black girls—to relate to and see themselves in, at an age when building self-confidence is more important than ever! ENCOURAGES CREATIVITY AND PERSERVERENCE: Full of interesting details about how Anne came up with her designs, and how she always forged ahead in spite of setbacks, this true story will captivate aspiring artists and young creative thinkers alike. SURE OF HER OWN WORTH: This book makes a perfect gift for anyone looking to celebrate, empower, and inspire the women in their lives—whether daughters, granddaughters, nieces, cousins, or friends. Ann Lowe stands as a testament to the power of knowing we're both capable of and deserve ONLY THE BEST. BEAUTIFUL, IMMERSIVE PROSE: Wonderful, vivacious writing by award-winning author Kate Messner and expert historian Margaret E. Powell brings Anne's pride in herself and her work to life in rich detail! Perfect for:Parents, grandparents, and caregiversTeachers and librariansReaders who loved Little Leaders and Parker Looks UpThe vast #WeNeedDiverseBooks communityAnyone seeking books about Black excellence, female empowerment, or Black historyGift-givers looking for a beautiful, inspirational book for the girls (or women) in their livesBuilding an Orchestra of Hope: How Favio Chavez Taught Children to Make Music from Trash
By Carmen Oliver. 2022
An exuberantly illustrated true story about innovation, community, and the power of music.In Cateura, Paraguay, a town built on a…
landfill, music teacher Favio Chavez longed to help the families living and working amid the hills of trash. How could he help them find hope for the future? Favio started giving music lessons to Cateura&’s children, but soon he encountered a serious problem. He had more students than instruments!But Favio had a strange and wonderful idea: what if this recyclers&’ town had its own recycled orchestra? Favio and Colá, a brilliant local carpenter, began to experiment with transforming garbage into wonder. Old glue canisters became violins; paint cans became violas; drainpipes became flutes and saxophones. With repurposed instruments in their hands, the children of Cateura could fill their community—and the world—with the sounds of a better tomorrow.Based on an incredible true story, Building an Orchestra of Hope offers an unforgettable picture of human dignity reclaimed from unexpected sources. Carmen Oliver&’s inviting words and Luisa Uribe&’s dynamic illustrations create a stirring tribute to creativity, resilience, and the transformative nature of hope.Little Libraries, Big Heroes
By Miranda Paul. 2019
From an award-winning author and illustrator, the inspiring story of how the Little Free Library organization brings communities together through…
books, from founder Todd Bol&’s first installation to the creation of more than 75,000 mini-libraries around the world. Todd and his friends love heroes. But in school, Todd doesn&’t feel heroic. Reading is hard for him, and he gets scolded for asking too many questions. How will he ever become the kind of hero he admires? Featuring stunning illustrations that celebrate the diversity of the Little Free Library movement, here is the story of how its founder, Todd Bol, became a literacy superhero. Thanks to Todd and thousands of volunteers—many of whom are kids—millions of books have been enjoyed around the world. This creative movement inspires a love of reading, strengthens communities, and provides meeting places where new friendships, ideas—and heroes!—spring to life. Includes an author&’s note and bibliography.★ &“Lovely art comes with unusual perspectives on familiar tales about lions, mice and trickster foxes.&” —Kirkus, starred review …
&“Many children are familiar with Aesop&’s fables but it is a fair bet that few know much about the storyteller himself…(a) beautiful volume.&” —Wall Street JournalHonoring the path of a slave, this dramatic picture-book biography and concise anthology of Aesop&’s most child-friendly fables tells how a child born into slavery in ancient Greece found a way to speak out against injustice by using the skill and wit of his storytelling—storytelling that has survived for 2,500 years. Stunningly illustrated by two-time Caldecott Honor winner Pamela Zagarenski. The Tortoise and the Hare. The Boy Who Cried Wolf. The Fox and the Crow. Each of Aesop&’s stories has a lesson to tell, but Aesop&’s life story is perhaps the most inspiring tale of them all. Gracefully revealing the genesis of his tales, this story of Aesop shows how fables not only liberated him from captivity but spread wisdom over a millennium. This is the only children&’s book biography about him. Includes thirteen illustrated fables: The Lion and the Mouse, The Goose and the Golden Egg, The Fox and the Crow, Town Mouse and Country Mouse, The Ant and the Grasshopper, The Dog and the Wolf, The Lion and the Statue, The Tortoise and the Hare, The Boy Who Cried Wolf, The North Wind and the Sun, The Fox and the Grapes, The Dog and the Wolf, The Lion and the Boar.Nonsense! the Curious Story of Edward Gorey
By Lori Mortensen. 2020
A beautifully illustrated and lyrical picture-book biography of eccentric and beloved writer and artist Edward Gorey In this lyrical biography…
of one of literature&’s most creepily creative authors and illustrators, kids will learn about the inspiration behind a generation of creators, from Lemony Snicket to Tim Burton. Known for, among other things, wearing a large fur coat wherever he went, storyteller Edward Gorey was respected for both his brilliance and his eccentricity. As a child, he taught himself to read and skipped several grades before landing at Harvard (after a brief stint in the army). Then he built a name for himself as a popular book illustrator. After that, he went on to publish well over one hundred of his own books, stories that mingled sweetness and innocence, danger and darkness, all mixed with his own brand of silliness. Illustrated with Gorey-like humor and inspiration by Chloe Bristol, this stunning picture book biography about this beloved creator is the first for children.Sister, Brother, Family: An American Childhood in Music
By Chris Barton, Willie Nelson, Bobbie Nelson. 2021
The first ever children's book by music legend Willie Nelson and his sister and bandmate Bobbie Nelson! "We had so…
little money, but so much love." He was a boy with a guitar. She was a girl with a piano. Raised by loving grandparents in Depression-era rural Texas, their humble beginnings playing local shows to put food on the table started Willie and Bobbie Nelson on a remarkable path to global stardom. In a story filled with details of a childhood in rural Texas—with church socials, general stores, and town dances—Willie and Bobbie weave together an inspiring story of a long-ago time. With triumphs and tragedies, hard work and determination, here is a deeply personal, gorgeously-written, and profoundly moving tale of hope.Who Was Celia Cruz?: A Who Was? Board Book (Who Was? Board Books)
By Who Hq, Lisbeth Kaiser. 2022
The latest addition to the Who HQ board book series: a biography of Celia Cruz, created specifically for the preschool…
audience! The #1 New York Times Bestselling Who Was? series expands into the board book space, bringing age-appropriate biographies of influential figures to readers ages 2-4.The chronology and themes of Celia Cruz's meaningful life are presented in a masterfully succinct text, with just a few sentences per page. The fresh, stylized illustrations are sure to captivate young readers and adults alike. With a read-aloud biographical summary in the back, this age-appropriate introduction honors and shares the life and songs of one of the most influential performers of our time.WHO WAS? BOARD BOOKS bring inspiring biographies to the youngest readers in an accessible and memorable way.¿Quién fue Celia Cruz?: ¿Quién fue? Un libro de cartón (Who Was? Board Books)
By Who Hq, Lisbeth Kaiser. 2022
The first Spanish addition to the Who HQ board book series: a biography of Celia Cruz, created specifically for the…
preschool audience! ¡La primera adición en español de la serie de libros de cartón Who HQ: una biografía de Celia Cruz, creada específicamente para los niños de preescolar!The #1 New York Times Bestselling Who Was? series expands into the Spanish market, bringing age-appropriate biographies of influential figures to readers ages 2-4.The chronology and themes of Celia Cruz's meaningful life are presented in a masterfully succinct text, with just a few sentences per page. The fresh, stylized illustrations are sure to captivate young readers and adults alike. With a read-aloud biographical summary in the back, this age-appropriate introduction honors and shares the life and songs of one of the most influential performers of our time.WHO WAS? BOARD BOOKS bring inspiring biographies to the youngest readers in an accessible and memorable way. La serie "¿Quién fue?", la más vendida del New York Times, se expande al mercado de habla hispana, llevando biografías de personajes influyentes a lectores de 2 a 4 años. La cronología de la significativa vida de Celia Cruz y los temas de sus canciones, se presentan en un texto magistralmente sucinto, con solo unas pocas frases por página. Las frescas y estilizadas ilustraciones seguramente cautivarán a los jóvenes lectores y a los adultos por igual. Con un resumen biográfico para leer en voz alta en la parte posterior, esta introducción adecuada a la edad, honra y comparte la vida y las canciones de una de las intérpretes más influyentes de nuestro tiempo. ¿QUIÉN FUE? LIBROS DE CARTÓN trae las biografías más inspiradoras a los lectores más jóvenes de una manera accesible y memorable.Nina: A Story of Nina Simone
By Traci N. Todd. 2021
A 2022 Coretta Scott King Book Award Honoree! This luminous, defining picture book biography illustrated by Caldecott Honoree Christian Robinson, tells…
the remarkable and inspiring story of acclaimed singer Nina Simone and her bold, defiant, and exultant legacy. Cover may vary.Born Eunice Kathleen Waymon in small town North Carolina, Nina Simone was a musical child. She sang before she talked and learned to play piano at a very young age. With the support of her family and community, she received music lessons that introduced her to classical composers like Bach who remained with her and influenced her music throughout her life. She loved the way his music began softly and then tumbled to thunder, like her mother's preaching, and in much the same way as her career. During her first performances under the name of Nina Simone her voice was rich and sweet but as the Civil Rights Movement gained steam, Nina's voice soon became a thunderous roar as she raised her voice in powerful protest in the fight against racial inequality and discrimination.Coming Home
By Floyd Cooper. 1994
Young Langston Hughes was a dreamer. He dreamed about heroes like Booker T. Washington, who was black just like him.…
When he heard the clackety-clack of train wheels, he dreamed about the places it had been. But most of all, he dreamed about having a happy home. And so, one day, he began turning those dreams into beautiful prose. As he did, he discovered where his home really was—in the words and rhythms of his poetry that reached people all over the world. The beloved Langston Hughes comes to life in a book for poets, dreamers, children, and adults—anyone who has ever thought of what home means to them. "Teachers looking for a good way to introduce youngsters to this prominent poet will find this book to be an excellent accompaniment to his work." —School Library Journal"Like Hughes' poetry, the power of Cooper's story is that it confronts sadness even as it transcends it." —Booklist"His text is as inviting as his illustrations." —The New York Times Book ReviewCanta conmigo: La historia de Selena Quintanilla
By Diana López. 2021
Un libro de cuentos ilustrado que celebra la vida y el legado de Selena Quintanilla, la querida Reina de la…
Música Tejana.Desde su etapa mas temprana, la joven Selena sabía como conectarse con la gente y unirlos con la música. Canta conmigo sigue su ascenso al estrellato, desde su puesto al frente de la banda familiar, cantando en rodeos y fiestas de quinceañera, hasta su presentación frente a miles en el Astrodomo de Houston. Los lectores jóvenes se sentirán empoderados por la dedicación de Selena--aprendiendo el idioma español aún siendo adolescente, diseñando su propio vestuario, y viajando por toda la nación, compartiendo con el mundo el orgullo por sus raíces mexico-americanas y su amor a la música y a la moda.We Are the Brontë Sisters (Xavier Riddle and the Secret Museum)
By Brooke Vitale. 2020
An 8x8 with 2 sticker sheets based on an episode from the PBS KIDS animated television series Xavier Riddle and the…
Secret Museum starring the Brontë sisters.Based on the children's book series Ordinary People Change the World by New York Times bestselling author Brad Meltzer and illustrator Christopher Eliopoulos, the series will introduce kids to inspiring historical figures and the character virtues that helped them succeed. When Brad runs out of ideas for his latest story, the Secret Museum sends him, Xavier, and Yadina to meet the Brontë sisters! Together, they use their imaginations to create new, wonderful, and incredibly fun stories. This episode-based 8x8 will focus on the traits that made our heroes great--the traits that kids can aspire to in order to live heroically themselves.