CHILDREN'S
Released: Sept. 1, 2000
"Little girls who long for pretty tutus and pointe shoes of their own will like this sassy lassie. (Picture book. 5-8)"
Dancer-choreographer Allen (of Fame fame) joins forces again with Nelson (Big Jabe, p. 565) in their second dance-themed picture book, following Brothers of the Knight (1999).
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CHILDREN'S
Released: Nov. 1, 2000
"Put this next to the shoes, ball, and Bulls jersey under the tree. (Picture Book. 6-9)"
Mother and sister combine to tell of a sweet-natured family reminiscence based on the childhood of America's most famous athlete: the one and only Michael Jordan.
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CHILDREN'S
Released: May 1, 2001
"This might make reading awkward for happily married fathers, but it's a unique and beautiful title, and for some it will fit the bill. (Picture book. 6-10)"
The lyrics from Smith's rap (of the same title) are beautifully illustrated here in this selection for one-on-one reading that celebrates the bond between father and son.
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CHILDREN'S
Released: Sept. 1, 2002
In this powerful tale presented in the style of African storytelling, a girl, mother, and grandmother draw upon their individual strengths to help save their Yao village from slave traders.
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CHILDREN'S
Released: Oct. 1, 2002
"Both poetry and art succeed in being forceful without being preachy and sweet without being saccharine. (Poetry. 6-10)"
Grimes (Talkin' About Bessie, p. 1530, etc.) explores the Christmas season through a poetic prism, examining both positive and negative aspects of the holiday.
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CHILDREN'S
Released: Nov. 1, 2002
"The repetitive text, sunny illustrations, and entirely familiar scenarios will make this a favorite of parents and children alike. (Picture book. 1-4)"
Parents and caregivers will recognize the ritualistic pleading that takes place when spending the day with a toddler.
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CHILDREN'S
Released: Sept. 1, 2003
"Throughout, she shows a reflective bent that gives her more dimension than most tall-tale heroes: a doff of the Stetson to her and her creators. (author's note) (Picture book. 7-9)"
Nolen and Nelson offer a smaller, but no less gifted counterpart to Big Jabe (2000) in this new tall tale.
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CHILDREN'S
Released: Jan. 1, 2004
"Exquisite. (Picture book. 4-8)"
Deeply colored paintings enrich this homage to African-American men who made history and influenced culture, including Duke Ellington, Paul Robeson, Dizzy Gillespie, and W.E.B. DuBois.
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CHILDREN'S
Released: Jan. 1, 2005
"Here's proof that, when it comes to heart, physical size isn't the whole story. (Picture book. 6-8)"
Low on suspense but high on sheer feel-goodness, this Tom Thumb–like original tale will elicit sighs of content from readers and listeners needing a change of pace.
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CHILDREN'S
Released: Feb. 1, 2005
"Not quite a slam-dunk, but the straightforward, accessible story will invite them to stay for the end of the game. (Fiction. 7-10)"
Marcus and Mia Robinson, genial elementary-school–aged twins, are excited about meeting fictional NBA star Jason Carter.
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CHILDREN'S
Released: Sept. 1, 2005
"Moving, reverent, spiritual indeed. (musical arrangement to close) (Picture book. 5-7)"
Nelson uses the old spiritual—offered here, astonishingly, in its first singleton, illustrated edition, though it's available in many collections—as a springboard to celebrate family togetherness.
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CHILDREN'S
Released: Nov. 1, 2005
"A memorable climactic spread (with no text) shows the puppy bringing his ball back to the children, showing that the kids really can control their puppy after all. (Picture book. 2-6)"
Two adorable African-American preschoolers, a boisterous puppy and a marmalade cat are the characters in this exuberant story suitable for children from toddlers to those just learning to read a few words on their own.
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CHILDREN'S
Released: Sept. 1, 2006
"Transcendent. (foreword, author's note) (Picture book. 5-9)"
In elegant free verse, Weatherford imagines Tubman's remarkable escape from slavery and her role in guiding hundreds to freedom.
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CHILDREN'S
Released: Jan. 23, 2007
"Someone, somewhere, needs to think about some golden rules of writing for children. (Picture book. 5-8)"
Michael Jordan's mother and sister return with another story about his childhood, this one more didactic than Salt in His Shoes (2003).
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CHILDREN'S
Released: Jan. 1, 2007
Nelson's powerful portraits add a majestic element to Levine's history-based tale of Henry "Box" Brown, a slave who escaped by having himself mailed to freedom in a crate.
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CHILDREN'S
Released: Jan. 8, 2008
"Along with being absolutely riveted by the art, readers will come away with a good picture of the Negro Leaguers' distinctive style of play, as well as an idea of how their excellence challenged the racial attitudes of both their sport and their times. (bibliography, index) (Nonfiction. 10-13)"
CHILDREN'S
Released: Oct. 7, 2008
Rappaport plainly explicates the major events in Abraham Lincoln's life from his poor beginnings to the assassin's bullet.
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CHILDREN'S
Released: Jan. 27, 2009
""All God's critters got a place in the choir," indeed. (Picture Book. 4-8)"
The catchy, feel-good folk song comes to life like never before in this spirited production.
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CHILDREN'S
Released: Jan. 1, 2009
"A double-page spread of freedom marchers carrying American flags silhouetted against a yellow sky will resonate with children and linger in their minds. (author's note) (Picture book. 4-8)"
There have been many books written about Martin Luther King Jr., but precious few about Coretta Scott King.
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CHILDREN'S
Released: Jan. 13, 2009
"The unabashed feeling conveyed in every loose line helps to make this a lovely memento, just in time for Inaguration Day. (Picture book. All ages)"
Two-time Caldecott Honor winner Nelson here gives up his studied compositions and meticulous applications of color in favor of quick, emotion-laden graphite sketches that commemorate Barack Obama's groundbreaking campaign and victory.
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