Book Finder

Maria Tallchief loved to dance, but was told that she might need to change her Osage name to one that sounded more Russian to make it as a professional ballerina. She refused, and worked hard at dancing her best, becoming America’s first prima ballerina.

In this piano sound book, very young children press the keys to learn eight famous classical tunes, such as “The Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy” from The Nutcracker. Each song includes an illustration and description of the part of the story that the music is telling, along with playing tips. 

Press the buttons to hear the music in this time-traveling journey around the world, as young readers embark on an adventure through classical music. From Elgar’s Cello Concerto, to a violin sonata by Beethoven, this book helps children about cultural history, famous musicians, and musical genres.

When the name of his all-Asian rock band, The Slants®, was turned down for a patent, Simon Tam took his fight all the way to the Supreme Court. The eight-year battle finally resulted in success. Illustrations use limited color and angular lines to suggest the difficulty of the fight to highlight the name, intended to confront bias head-on. Resources included lyrics to the titular song.

Aaliyah’s dad takes her on a trip to the Bronx where she discovers the roots of rap and many foundational artists. An interview with the cofounder of the Hip-Hop Education Center and hip-hop timeline are included. As in other books in the History Comics series, this title combines information and imagination for an engaging look at the topic.

From congas to triangle, travel the world through many musical instruments, including voice. The author and illustrator intentionally developed this book to help discovery through sight through lighthearted line illustrations and sound via QR codes that showcase each specific sound with a final musical composition by the author.

Despite a difficult childhood, Prince was a self-taught musician who found a healing power in music. Rhythmic language and purple-hued illustrations introduce Prince and the energy of his music. A family playlist of his music concludes this brief, attractive biography.

Doris, a performing horse, steps out of her comfort zone to find out what is twinkling beyond. She feels the “moonness” and soon is joined by a brown pony and together they dance off. Swirling illustrations combine with limited text that whirls across the pages in this joyful celebration.

Will JoJo ever be able to dance the national dance of the Philippines as easily as his grandmother? As he watches and practices, he begins to learn how to let the rhythm move through him and he dances the tininkling! Warm illustrations complement the lively text, evoking the sense of movement and joy.

Dance along with the residents of an apartment building: reggaeton, salsa, tango, and more! Jaunty language and bright, naive-style illustrations make music of their own, but also can be heard or watched via video when linked to the accompanying website. 

When Oprah Winfrey was growing up, her family expected her to become a maid like her grandmother. But she had different dreams. She went after them and turned her dreams into reality, becoming a media superstar and inspiring countless other people along the way. A book in the She Persisted chapter book series about women who stood up, spoke up and rose up against the odds.

Maya is a talented girl who excels at both soccer and playing the flute. She loves both her sport and her music but must decide which to focus on in her increasingly complicated family life. Readers will root for Maya and cheer her on as they will likely see much of themselves in her story.

A girl’s time with her grandfather, Papa, is always special. One day while playing music together in the park, they meet one of Papa’s old friends. Mr. Blue lives outside which concerns the girl. Ultimately, they invite Mr. Blue home for a meal and a memorable musical jam session. Textured illustrations are detailed, creating a gentle tone that accompanies the moving story.

Young Rubin lives in Bolivia where he is intrigued by his town’s small orchestra. When he tries to play the violin, however, the sounds create laughter. Undaunted, however, Rubin practices (with a growing audience of yowling cats) until he masters the music. Lighthearted illustrations complement this joy filled tale of music, perseverance, and felines.

A picture book biography about Evelyn Glennie, a deaf woman, who became the first full-time solo percussionist in the world. From the moment Evelyn Glennie heard her first note, music held her heart. She played the piano by ear at age eight, and the clarinet by age ten. But soon, the nerves in her ears began to deteriorate, and Evelyn was told that, as a deaf girl, she could never be a musician. What sounds Evelyn couldn’thear with her ears, though, she could feel resonate through her body as if she, herself, were a drum. And the music she created was extraordinary. Evelyn Glennie had learned how to listen in a new way.

Jazz! It’s all about the rhythm and the sounds, musicians in conversation answering each other with notes and riffs instead of words. But what happens when one member of the band can’t hear the notes anymore? Through this rhythmic story, readers meet Lee, who loses his hearing and is asked to leave his band. Luckily, he discovers a whole new world of music that exists in the mind and heart at a local school for the deaf.

This DK Level 1 Reader describes the daily life of a musician through the eyes of a violinist and her daughter.

Saxophone-playing Miles and his Swamp Band find a bevy of sharp-toothed, long-tailed alligators who love to listen to their music. But little do Miles and his band know what the alligators plan for them at the close of their jubilant all-night ball! Inspired by a traditional song, this vibrant picture book is “ebullient, fast-paced, and funny.”

A book of poems about dancing that mimic the rhythms of social dances from cha-cha to two-step — celebrating all forms of social dance from samba and salsa to tango and hip-hop. The rhythm of each poem mimics the beat of the dances’ steps. The poems create a window to all the ways dance enters our lives and exists throughout many cultures. 

“I can hear change humming/ In its loudest, proudest song./ I don’t fear change coming,/ And so I sing along.” As a young girl leads a cast of characters on a musical journey, they learn that they have the power to make changes — big or small — in the world, in their communities, and in most importantly, in themselves. Lyrical text and rhythmic illustrations is a call to action for everyone to use their abilities to make a difference.

Once there was a little girl with a big guitar from Cotton Plant, Arkansas, who would grow up to be an unconventional musician with a major influence on icons including Chuck Berry, Elvis Presley, and Johnny Cash. The narration evokes Rosetta’s musicality and is effectively complemented by expressive paintings. Additional information is included.

This autobiographical picture book by the Grammy Award-winning singer Roberta Flack recounts her childhood in a home surrounded by music and love: it all started with a beat-up piano that her father found in a junkyard, repaired, and painted green. Growing up in a Blue Ridge mountain town, little Roberta didn’t have fancy clothes or expensive toys … but she did have music. 

Before there was Elvis, Chuck Berry, Little Richard, and Johnny Cash, there was Sister Rosetta Tharpe. The godmother of rock & roll started as a little girl from Arkansas with music in her air, in her hair, in her bones, wiggling her toes. With a big guitar in hand and a big voice in her soul, she grew into a rock & roll trailblazer in a time when women were rarely seen rocking out. Includes a timeline of Sister Rosetta Tharpe’s life, author’s note, and a list of sources.

Middle school is passing far too quickly, as the dance crew prepares for its final competition. But then Cory discovers a new passion he shares with a classmate. Learn how trick yoyo, dance routines, and friendships work together in this warm and lively graphic novel.