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Artists use line and color to convey meaning and invite interpretation. Seventeen pieces of art are used to explore various depictions of faces, hands, and forms. Additional information about the work and the artists are presented in the final section.

Artist Marc Chagall’s early life is represented through engaging narrative and illustrations that call to mind Chagall’s own work. A reproduction of one of his paintings is included.

This clever tale follows two child artists, Vashti and Ramon, through the creative process. Though they are influenced by encouraging teachers and discouraging siblings, they ultimately discover that everyone sees a piece of art a little bit differently. The important lesson is finding the beauty in your own work.

Sara has initial hesitations when she is asked to create a painting for the class art show. But when her mother suggests that the universe Sara wants to paint starts right outside her window, Sara opens the door to the art all around her. Child-like watercolors present Sara’s creative process - from being overwhelmed to finding inspiration.

A young artist named Art lives up to his name and takes the reader on a vibrant journey where color and line race from page to page. Art’s exuberance is portrayed with nimble illustrations, translucent colors, and rhyming language.

Young children will delight in seeing familiar animals in their natural habitats, portrayed in the distinct styles of various artists. Lively descriptions accompany the illustrations, and endnotes include artist, time period, and owning museums.

The artist Jackson Pollack’s style and energy in his piece Number 1 1950 earned him the nickname Action Jackson. Fascinating details emerge as the art, environment, and inspiration of Jackson Pollack are presented in a carefully crafted, well-told, and vivaciously illustrated picture book biography.  

Socks has a difficult start in life, but things get much better when he is taken in by the Brickers. The young couple adore their feline friend. But when the baby arrives, Socks loses his place at the center of the Brickers’ universe. Socks’ antics are both humorous and recognizable in this engaging novel. Older siblings will relate!

Petey loves bedtime, because that’s when he gets to hear the story of when he was born. Complete with fire trucks and wheelchairs racing through hospital halls, Petey takes over and embellishes his own story. Children and their parents will recognize themselves in this very funny book.

Otis Spofford likes to stir up a bit of excitement at home and in his third grade class; nothing awful, of course, just enough to keep things interesting. But he meets his match when he teases Ellen Tebbits and gets his comeuppance!

Maggie stubbornly refuses to learn cursive in third grade; those curves and connections between letters are silly (hence the Muggie!). With a little help from a perceptive teacher, however, Maggie is able to change her opinion without losing her dignity.

Chuck throws caution to the wind, along with safety rules, when he rides on his spiffy new red motorcycle. That is, until he’s brought back to reality by a highway patrol officer! Lively, alliterative language and realistic illustrations combine for this funny cautionary tale.

Janet and Jimmy are twins but like all siblings, Janet doesn’t want Jimmy to touch her stuff. She takes her mother’s suggestion and puts her “thingamajigs” in a special place. Janet’s thingamajigs are dispatched when her special place, her crib, is replaced by a regular twin bed and the twins realize they’re growing up. Full color illustrations complement the tone of this recognizable milestone in children’s lives.

Henry Huggins is a regular kid who longs for some excitement in his otherwise normal – and he thinks boring life. When it arrives in the form of a scrawny dog he names Ribsy, the adventures and laughs begin!

A young boy, Leigh, begins writing letters to a famous author, Mr. Henshaw, revealing what’s going on in his life — like his parents’ divorce — as he gradually matures and finds his place in the world. Leigh’s voice is plausible and poignant.

The song made famous by jazz great Ella Fitzgerald in the 1930s has been re-created, re-energized and newly presented in a picture book version. Sprightly cut paper collage illustrations show two children losing and ultimately finding both a lost basket and a friendship.

This collection of children’s rhymes is drawn from Spanish-speaking countries and is presented in both Spanish and English. The music that accompanies each song appears on delicately illustrated pages that children will want to hear again and again.

A familiar traditional Shaker hymn has been interpreted in bold, semi-abstract, jewel-toned illustrations reminiscent of artist Paul Klee. A cat, squirrel, bird and turtle characters create the feel of the music.

When Rosa’s grandmother becomes sick, Rosa comes up with an idea that not only makes Grandma feel better, it helps add coins to the family’s near empty money jar. Translucent watercolors illustrate this timeless, affectionate tale of family, community and the power of music.

Monkey’s friends prepare a surprise party and then share the birthday fun! A familiar song is extended by singer/songwriter Raffi and presented here with engaging, child-like illustrations sure to get readers singing and clapping along with monkey and friends.

A cool cat named Oobie-Do moves to San Francisco, plays his saxophone and works as a short order cook, until his jazzy talents are recognized by nightclub owner Minnie, who books him for a gig. The bold, stylized illustrations are a cool complement to the rhythmic language of this off beat(nik!) tale.

From her early days in Harlem to becoming the First Lady of Jazz, the story of Ella Fitzgerald is presented by a cool feline named Scat Cat Monroe. As Scat Cat steals through the pages of this book, Ella Fitzgerald’s life and work are revealed in jazz-inspired language accompanied by dramatic scratchboard illustrations. The result is a lively and loving picture book biography.

This attractively animated collection of lively songs and rhyming games is a great opportunity to have fun with language! Written in both English and Spanish, this playful book expands your word game repertoire.

Inspired by jazz great Charlie Parker, rhythm and repetition are woven together to create a musical effect. Animated watercolors and lively text combine in a story that begs to be read aloud.