Recommended by Paige Bentley-Flannery Community Librarian at Deschutes Public Library
A is for Oboe: The Orchestra’s Alphabet by Lera Auerbach and Marilyn Nelson, illustrated by Paul Hoppe
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o you have a favorite musical instrument? Young readers are sure to find theirs in this collection of poems. Why does the oboe play first? Meet the bassoon, a conductor and even a mellow clarinet. The authors offer engaging stories so you can follow along on a musical journey from A to Z! Enjoy a fabulous experience of musical chords, “eloquent grooves” and delightful new sounds. Hoppe’s illustrations are filled with gorgeous colors created with swirls of purple, blue, greens, yellows and reds. Readers will feel the music in motion on each page. Jazz? Percussion? An Orchestra? What is your tempo? You’ll even meet a music librarian! Start with the letter A for a wonderful introduction to music for all ages.
Yule
16 | BendNest.com
Faith Ringgold: Narrating the World in Pattern and Color by Sharna Jackson, illustrated by Andrea Pippins
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his is an inspiring book in the new series, “What the Artist Saw,” created in collaboration with The Metropolitan Museum of Art. Meet artist and activist Faith Ringgold and discover her key artworks from 1986-2007. Jackson depicts Ringgold’s life as an artist and her political actions both in and out of the studio. Discover her history including quilting and African traditions from her family. Her first quilt, “Echoes of Harlem,” in 1980 was a series of painted portraits with a quilted border. Do you see words in her quilts? Learn about her life as an artist and try the “observation challenge” to make your own art. Beautiful and engaging, the illustrations are created with a variety of fonts and bold colors. Explore the “Try This” section and answer the questions throughout the book including, “What cause are you passionate about?” A glossary of terms is included. Also, check out her children's book, “Tar Beach,” at the library.
