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Carnegie Hall opened in 1891 to become the site in New York where everyone from Duke Ellington to Bob Dylan performed. Stern was not only a violin virtuoso, but he was also an effective community organizer who worked tirelessly to save the grand hall in the face of great opposition. His tenacity and music swirl throughout the lively illustrations and carefully crafted language. Additional information is appended. 

Truffle has fluffy reddish hair, a loving family, an interest in music, and a heart that loves a girl named after Nina Simone. In lighthearted illustrations, speech bubbles, and narration, his life comes into focus. Lively and childlike, Truffle and his world are sure to make readers’ hearts sing.

Richly-colored illustrations depict a lush Caribbean countryside as a grandmother and her grandson dance and sway to the secret of the plátanos, complemented by rhythmic language. Both author and illustrator draw upon their Dominican heritage to evoke a strong sense of place. Also available in Spanish, El secreto del plátanos (opens in a new window).

Vibrant illustrations and brief, rhyming, staccato text tells the tale of a blue baboon who plays the bassoon out of tune. She is unappreciated until a green baboon who croons out of tune joins her on a dune — and together, they make a great tune!

Indigenous dancer Ria Thundercloud tells the true story of her path to dance and how it helped her take pride in her Native American heritage. At four years old, Thundercloud was brought into the powwow circle, ready to dance in the special jingle dress her mother made for her. As she grew up, she danced with her brothers all over Indian country. Then Ria learned more styles — tap, jazz, ballet — but still loved the expressiveness of Indigenous dance. And despite feeling different as one of the only Native American kids in her school, she always knew she could turn to dance to cheer herself up.   

A young girl, filled with the sounds of her beloved city, shares a song with her grandmother that changes the two forever. After helping Grandma realize that the city makes music as beautiful as the sounds they hear in church on Sunday morning, the two sit down and take in all the sounds of the city … together.

We may know more about her younger brother, but Maria Anna was also a child prodigy who composed and played music. While her father encouraged Wolfgang, he neither encouraged nor allowed Nannerl (as she was known). Her story is revealed here through Nannerl’s lively narration and charming illustrations. Backmatter provides additional information. 

Have you ever wondered what people don’t see at the seashore? Could it be ballet? Perhaps a performance by talented crabs. Share a performance through the gently rhyming text and detailed, finely lined, gently colored illustrations. A glossary of ballet terms (for kids and crabs) is included.

Pow! Bam! Wow! Jackie Chan has been making movies and amazing audiences with his original and comedic stunts for decades. But before he was an international star, Jackie grew up in relative poverty in China, studied martial arts at the grueling China Drama Academy, and worked for years trying to find his way in film. Discover how Jackie used his goofball acrobatics to make a name and a style all his own.

Prima ballerina Misty Copeland was 16 years old before she saw a Black ballerina on a magazine cover. In short, personal essays each accompanied by a stunning portrait, trailblazing dancers are introduced.

Music is the intersection of cultures as this hopeful story of cellist Yo-Yo Ma reminds readers. He played Bach’s cello suites for people in two countries near the Rio Grande River, “a boundary dividing two countries that used to be one.” Sweeping illustration and lyrical text are completed by an afterward and additional information about the actual event. 

Even as a kid, Leo was a tinkerer, always interested in fixing and inventing things. And although he wasn’t a musician, he built the first electric guitar! Illustrations capture the joy as well as the difficulties Leo confronted as he grew from a farm boy into a lauded inventor. Backmatter completes this absorbing book.

In this uplifting, contemporary Native American story, River is recovering from illness and can’t dance at the powwow this year. Will she ever dance again? Follow River’s journey from feeling isolated after an illness to learning the healing power of community. Additional information explains the history and functions of powwows, which are commonplace across the United States and Canada and are open to both Native Americans and non-Native visitors. 

Cut-paper collage and poetry bring young readers inside a contemporary Native American community while offering a thoughtful look at powwows and their meanings to the Native participants.

The author, a principal ballerina, introduces children to a ballet school. Boys and girls all begin with warmups, moving on to basic positions for both arms and legs. Readers are encouraged to try for themselves with the children depicted throughout.

When Uncle and Windy Girl and Itchy Boy attend a powwow, Windy watches the dancers in their jingle dresses and listens to the singers. She eats tasty food and joins family and friends around the campfire. Later, Windy falls asleep under the stars. Now Uncle’s stories inspire other visions in her head: a bowwow powwow, where all the dancers are dogs. This playful story is accompanied by a companion retelling in Ojibwe.

The story of Blind Willie Johnson — the legendary Texas musician whose song “Dark Was the Night” was included on the Voyager I space probe’s Golden Record. There, along with the many sounds and sights of planet Earth, is the stirring song of a blind man, telling us not to be afraid of the dark, and reminding us that we are never really alone.

Middle school is never easy but 7th grade becomes particularly tough for Ross when he’s diagnosed with a rare form of eye cancer. In spite of his best friend preparing to move and being bullied for the effect of the grueling cancer treatment, Ross finds power in music and friendship — and discovers something about his nemesis. This uplifting, often humorous novel is based on the author’s experience.

Lenny is an artist who plans to compose a symphony. His mind is blank until he listens to sounds around him. As the sun rises, Lenny returns home full of notes, music, and life. Lightly lined illustrations and lots of lively language present the music of Paris.

This celebration of winter solstice blends imagery from the long-ago revelries of northern Europeans with modern-day observations and global traditions. As the sun set on the shortest day of the year, early people would gather to prepare for the long night ahead. They built fires and lit candles and played music, bringing their own light to the darkness. This is a tale of hope, anticipation, love, and joy.

No one is shocked by the six-eyed alien strolling around the Universal backlot. The tourists just think he’s part of the show. It doesn’t take long for Buddy to land a role on a popular TV show, playing (of course) an alien. He becomes an overnight heartthrob and is suddenly faced with legions of adoring fans, rides in glamorous limos, and appearances at red carpet parties. But can Buddy maintain his secret identity while in the spotlight? Winkler and Oliver keep readers laughing while slipping in a lesson — accept everyone as they are, even if they have suction cups for feet.

He was born in the jazz age so it’s not surprising that Walter Theodore “Sonny” Rollins loved jazz. He loved the saxophone and was a talented musician who became widely recognized. Free verse effectively explores Sonny’s life — including the hiatus he took from public performances, instead playing for himself on the Williamsburg Bridge. Jazzy illustrations enliven the handsome presentation.

Jean-Francois Gravele first performed as a child. Walking on ropes required skill, confidence, and daring, which Jean-Francois had in abundance. As an adult, he traveled from France to America and decided he would walk across Niagara Falls — on a rope! This fascinating character comes to life in lively language and dramatic illustrations. Additional information about The Great Blondin (as Jean-Francois became known) and photographs are included.

In spite of his canine mother’s assurances, a puppy is mistreated by people and winds up at a shelter. A boy named Patrick and his mother spend the summer — and beyond — at his grandfather’s home. How the dog who lost his bark and a boy with no friends and parents who are separating help each other heal is tenderly told and gently illustrated in this short, moving novel.