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8 Picture Books for Kids Who Love Music
If your little one loves to bang on pots and pans or sing along to the car radio, you may have a music lover on your hands! Learn more about musical greats like Dolly Parton and Billie Holiday, or have a giggle at some clever rhymes about instruments in an orchestra. These picture books will bring the exciting world of music to life for your child.
Pitch Perfect and Persistent!: The Musical Debut of Amy Cheney Beach by Caitlin DeLems, illustrated by Alison Jay
Discover the untold yet inspiring story of Amy Beach, musician extraordinaire and the first successful woman composer in America. At just sixteen years old, Amy Beach found herself on the stage of Boston’s Music Hall—and the start of a brilliant career. A female composer who paved the way—perfectly!
Dazzlin’ Dolly: The Songwriting, Hit-Singing, Guitar-Picking Dolly Parton by Suzanne Slade, illustrated by Edwin Fotheringham
This inspirational and dazzlin’ story of Dolly Parton—noted singer, songwriter, and humanitarian—follows her rise to fame, from her beginnings in East Tennessee to performing to thousands at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville.
Sing and Shout: The Mighty Voice of Paul Robeson by Susan Goldman Rubin
A Chicago Public Library Best Informational Book for Older Readers. This comprehensive biography, written by celebrated nonfiction author Susan Goldman Rubin, explores the tumultuous and passionate life of activist, singer, and actor Paul Robeson.
The Music in George’s Head: George Gershwin Creates Rhapsody in Blue by Suzanne Slade, illustrated by Stacy Innerst
A picture book biography of famous composer George Gershwin and a look at his famous composition Rhapsody In Blue. George Gershwin heard music all the time—at home, at school, even on New York City’s busy streets. Classical, ragtime, blues, and jazz—George’s head was filled with a whole lot of razzmatazz!
I Know a Shy Fellow Who Swallowed a Cello by Barbara S. Garriel, illustrated by John O’Brien
Perfect for any young reader interested in music, families who love music, and a must-have staple for music classrooms, this funny picture book is an amusing introduction to the instruments in an orchestra, featuring clever rhymes and whimsical illustrations.
Born to Swing: Lil Hardin Armstrong’s Life in Jazz by Mara Rockliff, illustrated by Michele Wood
Two renowned poets tell the story of Prudence Crandall and her black students, who endured the cruelty of prejudice and hateful actions for the sake of their education.
Blue Grass Boy: The Story of Bill Monroe, Father of Bluegrass Music by Barb Rosenstock, illustrated by Edwin Fotheringham
The stunning voice and hard life of legendary jazz singer Billie Holiday is revealed through evocative, accessible poetry.
Becoming Billie Holiday by Carole Boston Weatherford
The stunning voice and hard life of legendary jazz singer Billie Holiday is revealed through evocative, accessible poetry.
