Best Children's Books of the Year, Bank Street College of Education Commended Lists - Américas Book Award, Consortium of Latin American Studies Programs Choices, Cooperative Children's Book Center (CCBC)The perfect book for aspiring young drummers, where a young boy in Trinidad discovers he can create tunes on discarded metal tins, and goes on to win the Carnival band competition.Now in paperback! Carnival is coming, and the villagers of John John, Trinidad, are getting ready to jump up and celebrate with music, dancing, and a parade. Best of all, the Roti King has promised free rotis--tasty fried pancakes filled with chicken, herbs, and spices--for the best band in the parade. Young Winston dreams of feasting on those delicious rotis. But there's a problem: he's not in a band! Pondering his predicament as he wanders through the village junkyard, Winston makes a curious musical discovery that may be just the ticket to realizing his dream. With ingenuity and the help of his friends, Winston takes on the Carnival bands, drumming his way to victory--and to the Roti King's prized treat. Musical text and sun-drenched paintings joyously transport readers to the Caribbean in this exuberant story inspired by the early life of Winston "Spree" Simon, a pioneer in the development of the steel drum. 

Part songbook, part research text, this work is perfect for families to share together or for young scholars who seek to discover an important piece of cultural history.-- School Library Journal, starred review From Newbery Honor winner Patricia C. McKissack and two-time Caldecott Honor winner Brian Pinkney comes an extraordinary must-have collection of classic playtime favorites. This very special book is sure to become a treasured keepsake for African American families and will inspire joy in all who read it. Parents and grandparents will delight in sharing this exuberant book with the children in their lives. Here is a songbook, a storybook, a poetry collection, and much more, all rolled into one. Find a partner for hand claps such as "Eenie, Meenie, Sassafreeny," or form a circle for games like "Little Sally Walker." Gather as a family to sing well-loved songs like "Amazing Grace" and "Oh, Freedom," or to read aloud the poetry of such African American luminaries as Langston Hughes, James Weldon Johnson, and Paul Laurence Dunbar. And snuggle down to enjoy classic stories retold by the author, including Aesop's fables and tales featuring Br'er Rabbit and Anansi the Spider. A rich compilation to stand beside Rollins's Christmas Gif' and Hamilton's The People Could Fly. --The Horn Book An ebullient collection.... There is an undeniable warmth and sense of belonging to these tales. --Kirkus Reviews, Starred 

Magic Drum - Is an African folktale. It is a story of greed and it's evil consequences. Magic Drum, like most folktales such as Mother Goose and Grimm Brother's Tales, is meant to tell a fun and simple story. It is hoped that children of all ages (and adults) will enjoy this book while learning an important life lesson 

Sassy is a long-legged girl who always has something to say. She wants to be a ballerina more than anything, but she worries that her too-large feet, too-long legs, and even her big mouth will keep her from her dream. When a famous director comes to visit her class, Sassy does her best to get his attention with her high jumps and bright leotard. Her first attempts are definitely not appreciated, but with Sassy's persistence, she just might be able to win him over. Dancing in the Wings is loosely based on actress/choreographer Debbie Allen's own experiences as a young dancer. 

From Caldecott Honor winner Christian Robinson and acclaimed author Renee Watson , comes the inspiring true story of Florence Mills .

Born to parents who were both former slaves, Florence Mills knew at an early age that she loved to sing, and that her sweet, bird-like voice, resonated with those who heard her. Performing catapulted her all the way to the stages of 1920s Broadway where she inspired everyone from songwriters to playwrights. Yet with all her success, she knew firsthand how prejudice shaped her world and the world of those around her. As a result, Florence chose to support and promote works by her fellow black performers while heralding a call for their civil rights. Featuring a moving text and colorful illustrations, Harlem's Little Blackbird is a timeless story about justice, equality, and the importance of following one's heart and dreams. 

A young girl named Kora is on the verge of tears with frustration after enduring another day at school where classmates and teachers can't pronounce her name. But when she shares this frustration with her mom, her mom teaches her to find the musical lyricism in her own name and to make it a song for others to sing. Names come from dreamers and fire and the heart, and if Kora can turn her name into a song, she can share it with others who will know the tune of her name. 

The book opens with a wordless spread, and it's in this quiet moment that readers familiarize themselves with the tone of the book. We see and feel the girl's frustration even before she says it out loud to her mom. To make the illustrations feel welcoming despite the challenges and to emphasize Thompkins-Bigelow's gentle voice, Uribe uses a wide variety of fairly muted colors, and she employs curvy lines to mimic the sound waves we see when Kora's mom sings. The moments where Kora explores dreamers and fire and heart, as well as the moment where she sings her name, are all characterized by warm, bright colors.