Music Books

Created in partnership with Ebony Jr., this Little Golden Book biography celebrates the life and legacy of singer, performer, and activist Harry Belafonte. When Harry Belafonte was a little boy, he moved from Harlem, New York, to live with his grandmother in Jamaica. There, Harry fell in love with Calypso music. It was the seed that blossomed into a life dedicated to inspiring people through music. This moving biography chronicles his life and career--as an actor, a singer, and a civil rights activist who has always sought to make a difference while encouraging people to treat each other with respect and kindness.

Willie Nelson, singer-songwriter of such hits as "On the Road Again" and "You Were Always on My Mind," is the subject of this Little Golden Book biography. Children -- as well as adult fans -- will be inspired by Willie's activism and work with Farm Aid and how he always stayed true to himself by dressing how he liked and creating the music he wanted to share! --

Kids love music! Hamish and the Double Bass is a celebration of making music with friends. Hamish and the Double Bass takes the listener and the reader on an adventure. A small boy, Hamish, who loves going to concerts, by chance meets the lonely Double Bass, a big instrument that Hamish is way too small to play. With a little bit of magical encouragement from the Double Bass Hamish goes off with his friends to learn to play the smaller instruments of the orchestra. All the children have fun practising their instruments, and not wanting to miss out of being part of the story, have made up whimsical rhymes about themselves. One day, on realising how tall he has grown Hamish races back to the city to find the Double Bass. Together, with great excitement they head off to play with all their friends in the biggest orchestra of all.Most children's first experience of learning to play is through the instruments of the orchestra. The book provides these children, and others who may simply enjoy listening and watching with a positive contemporary story about the orchestra: the excitement and the adventure of going to a concert, the moment of anticipation before the music begins, the imagined places music can take them to and the possibility of growing up to play in an orchestra and the joy of making music with friends.An underlying subtext is secure attachment, a relationship given by parents, in this case Grandma, who provides a safe base from whichthe child can grow up into confident independence.With its beautiful illustrations by Becky Stout of Rock Sheep Studio the book is full of energy, warmth and movement and will delight children between the ages of 3 to 7 years. It gives a new and contemporary perspective on the orchestra and perhaps more importantly, of making music together. With its appropriate culturally diverse characters the book will appeal to young children of the modern world. With schools in mind some questions would lead to a discussion. For example:What do you like about this story?Do you play an instrument or know anyone who plays an instrument?Which instrument would you like to learn to play? Why?What do you think would be good about playing music with others?A wonderful diversity of instruments, ideas and activities may be identified though this discussion.Why someone would want to read Hamish and the Double BassHamish and the Double Bass is a contemporary and accessible story. It allows kids to imagine learning an instrument, becoming a musician and perhaps more simply, making music with others. As Hamish and his friends grow the story realistically but gently conveys the journey of how to become a musician, emphasising that while it takes time and effort, there is lots of fun and happiness to be had along the way. "It really captures what it feels like to be captivated by music, to be drawn in by it and have it fill your imagination and soul!" Zoe Barry, Winner, 2021 Telstra Aria Music Teacher Awards

"Lyons delivers the history of a song that has inspired generations of African-Americans to persist and resist in the face of racism and systemic oppression. . . . A heartfelt history of a historic anthem." —Publishers Weekly Now in paperback.Sing a song full of the faith that the dark past has taught us.Sing a song full of the hope that the present has brought us.In Jacksonville, Florida, two brothers, one of them the principal of a segregated, all-black school, wrote the song "Lift Every Voice and Sing" so his students could sing it for a tribute to Abraham Lincoln's birthday in 1900. From that moment on, the song has provided inspiration and solace for generations of Black families. Mothers and fathers passed it on to their children who sang it to their children and grandchildren. Known as the Black National Anthem, it has been sung during major moments of the Civil Rights Movement and at family gatherings and college graduations. Inspired by this song's enduring significance, Kelly Starling Lyons and Keith Mallett tell a story about the generations of families who gained hope and strength from the song's inspiring words. —A CCBC Choice —A Notable Social Studies Trade Book for Young People—An ALSC Notable Children's Book

Dolly is a little girl with a BIG voice. Music fills Dolly's heart so plumb full she has to let it out! She'll even sing to her cornhusk dolls or a pen full of pigs. She makes her own drum from a pot and her own guitar from a broken mandolin. But what Dolly dreams of is performing for a real audience--people who would hear her sing, and applaud!

Sing your own SONG!Little Composers TRACE Letters, Numbers and NotesYour little musician is going to fall in LOVE with all the Music Friends in Tiny Tinkles Town.This activity book will help your child learn all the letters in the Musical Alphabet, Finger Numbers, and how to draw Music Notes and Symbols. Color, trace, and learn interactively with unforgettable songs that teach.Perfect for parents and teachers.View the Little Learning Videos for Little Composers Activity Book 1 here:https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLIgdeF-WDt9tkA8h4-QfHJxjvL0a1e2_vView the Little Learning Videos that accompany the Tiny Tinkles Little Musician Series here:https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLIgdeF-WDt9tl9q6SoCzzPJ6TeppuXljyVideos, worksheets, downloadable music and more resources can be found on our website.www.tinytinkles.com

Meet classical composer and violinist Niccolò Paganini in this charming semi-autobiographical tale. Travel through time following a charming little mouse called Minim who loves cheese and music. On this occasion, he finds himself bouncing around in Emily's skirt pocket as she joyfully skips down the stairs to her father's bustling workshop. A very special guest has just arrived, a musician deemed the best violinist in the world. Little do the luthiers know that they will come very close to witnessing a terrible accident: the destruction of Niccolo Paganini's most cherished instrument. Luckily, the little girl saves the day by miraculously catching the violin in midair before it hits the floor. Filled with gratitude, the maestro plays a piece for her--as if nothing else in the world ever existed. In addition to the illustrated story and introductory notes on the composer, an accompanying CD (and a unique digital download code) features recordings of the narrated story and a performance of the composition "Caprice 24." Part of the Little Stories of Great Composers series, featuring Mozart, Tchaikovsky, Vivaldi, Haydn, Schubert, and Paganini.

Meet classical composer Joseph Haydn in this charming semi-autobiographical tale. Travel through time following a charming little mouse called Minim who loves cheese and music. He has just spent an amazing summer in the country with his cousin Maxim. The meals have been fabulous, followed by delightful concerts with gifted musicians who are there to play for the prince and his guests. Autumn is now upon them, and something has gone awry. The conductor has noticed that the members of the orchestra have grown tired and dearly miss their families. How shall he convey to the prince that the vacation has gone on for far too long? Only a brilliant composer like Joseph Haydn could devise such a plan! In addition to the illustrated story and introductory notes on the composer, an accompanying CD (and a unique digital download code) features recordings of the narrated story and a performance of the composition Adagio Finale from the "Farewell" symphony. Part of the Little Stories of Great Composers series, featuring Mozart, Tchaikovsky, Vivaldi, Haydn, Schubert, and Paganini.

Discover the musical talents of 14 animals, from singing humpback whales to howling wolves. Travel across the seven continents to discover how nature's best musicians use their voices or bodies to create a symphony. On the world stage, gibbons love to break into song at sunrise, while humpback whales prefer to perform the same tune for an entire day. Wolves enjoy choir singing before setting off to hunt, and Chinese torrent frogs are excellent at carrying a tune without ever producing two identical notes. Learn about the characteristics, habitats, and behaviours of 14 animal virtuosos from around the world. Listen to the recordings of the sounds produced by each animal for free at www.thesecretmountain.com/animalmusicians.

It's 1948 in Rippling Creek, Louisiana, and Tate P. Ellerbee's new teacher has just given her class an assignment-learning the art of letter-writing. Luckily, Tate has the perfect pen pal in mind: Hank Williams, a country music singer whose star has just begun to rise. Tate and her great-aunt and -uncle listen to him on the radio every Saturday night, and Tate just knows that she and Hank are kindred spirits. Told entirely through Tate's hopeful letters, Dear Hank Williams is a beautifully drawn novel from National Book Award-winning author Kimberly Willis Holt that gradually unfolds a story of family love, overcoming tragedy, and an insightful girl learning to find her voice. This title has Common Core connections.

A heartwarming bedtime story and 10 dream songs, including Johanne Brahms' classic "Cradle Song." Ira and Isabelle live in a tiny red house by the sea. One night, to escape the sound of the city's beeping cars, they sail to a faraway land. When they arrive, they learn from a new friend--a robin with a soft voice--that dreams really can come true. This musical picture book includes a CD featuring the narrated story as well as 10 original heartwarming songs and an ethereal rendition of Johannes Brahms' classic "Cradle Song." WINNER OF THE NATIONAL PARENTING PUBLICATIONS GOLD AWARD AND PARENTS' CHOICE RECOMMENDED AWARD

16 classical lullabies for your baby performed with wind instruments. Lull babies into sweet and blissful sleep with exquisite pieces by the world's most revered composers, including Schubert, Debussy, Ravel, Offenbach, Satie, and Brahms. Along with the whimsical, dream-like illustrations, the musical picture book includes brief commentary on each work. The accompanying CD features 16 classical lullabies performed on woodwind and harp by the critically acclaimed French quintet L'Ensemble Agora. WINNER OF THE PARENTS' CHOICE GOLD AWARD AND NATIONAL PARENTING PUBLICATIONS BRONZE AWARD

A heartwarming tale about friendship and sharing wisdom between generations, accompanied by 9 songs. Sophie and Emilio spend their days enjoying life's small discoveries in a tiny seaside village with their best pet friend "Sir" and a mischievous crow. Sophie's regular visits and gift exchanges with her great-uncle lead to teachings about how value is determined by the intentions of the heart. The wisdom found in Old Man Tom's eloquent quote, "It's all in the nature of things," sums up this poetic tale of friendship, values, mentorship, overcoming loss, and rites of passage. An accompanying CD includes the narrated story along with nine folk-infused songs performed by Martha Wainwright, Paul Campagne, and Thomas Hellman, among others. WINNER OF THE PARENTS' CHOICE RECOMMENDED AWARD

Mackenzie Blue and her crew are plugged in!Zee and her band, The Beans, are getting ready for their biggest show yet! Everyone's talking about it online at Bluetopia—the coolest social-networking site ever.Top three reasons that Bluetopia is the best:I can keep all my thoughts safe in a private blog, and I won't have to worry about anyone stealing my diary (finally)!The Beans have a huge show coming up, and we can make sure everyone knows about it!Jasper (my best guy friend) is in the spotlight for creating the site. He's so talented—he deserves it.

Olivia Rodrigo Fan BookOlivia Rodrigo may only be 19, but she's squeezed a lot into her life already! Having made a name for herself in Disney's Bizaardvark, in 2021 her musical talents came to light and she is now the world's hottest popstar. In Olivia Rodrigo The Ultimate Fan Book we take a look inside the life of one of the world's top up-and-coming stars. Featuring beautiful hi-res photos of Olivia, a crossword puzzle, quiz, word search, and much more-this truly is the must-have book for every young Rodrigo fan.Born in California in 2003, it didn't take long before Olivia's acting talents caught the eye of Disney's casting agents. After three seasons on Bizaardvark, Olivia landed the role of Nini in the latest High School Musical series. While on the show, she got the opportunity to write music for the cast, and she blew the producers away with her talent.It was during the 2020 lockdown that Olivia really honed her songwriting talents, and her first single was a worldwide smash hit. Now, we're all waiting to see what Olivia will do next!In Olivia Rodrigo: The Ultimate Fan Book, we take a look at some amazing facts about Olivia, as well as give you the chance to test your knowledge of the superstar, and her music.Olivia Rodrigo Quiz SampleWho are Olivia's two main musical influences?Which member of One Direction gave advice to Olivia?What instrument did Olivia's character play in Bizaardvark?And many more...The must-have gift for any true Rodrigo fan, scroll up to buy your copy today.

The blackbirds' song uplifts and restores in this captivating novella from one of the most exciting voices in children's fiction.After a devastating car crash, Annie is unable to play her flute and retreats from the music she's always loved.She exists in a world of angry silence - furious with her mum and furious she can't seem to play her beloved flute any more.Then she meets Noah, who shows her the blackbirds' nest hidden in the scrubland near their flats. As their friendship grows, the blackbirds' glorious song reignites Annie's passion for music. But when tragedy strikes again, will her fragile progress be put at risk?