Genre: Rhymes/songs

Wailana the Waterbug

Wailana the waterbug woke up each day, to be with her friends, to go out and play.
What a joy to be seen, all the cheers and the smiles, waterbugs followed the parade on for miles.
All through the Winter, Spring, Summer and Fall Wailana’s parades would bring laughter to all!

Other Descriptors: Early Years (ages 2-6), Hawaii, Picture Book, Primary (ages 6-9) » Themes: , , » Leave a comment

Lala Salama

An African lullaby in Swahili and English in which a little boy says good night to all the animals and ends with his mother.

Other Descriptors: Africa, Infant/toddler (ages 0-2), Kenya, Picture Book, Tanzania » Themes: , , , » Leave a comment

Lala Salama

A mother relates the events of a peaceful day along the banks of Lake Tanganyika to her baby, wrapped up and ready for sleep.

Other Descriptors: Africa, Early Years (ages 2-6), Picture Book, Tanzania » Themes: , , » Leave a comment

Get Happy

Simple, rhyming text urges the reader to be happy by making such choices as teasing less and tickling more, or groaning less and giggling more.

Other Descriptors: Early Years (ages 2-6), Europe, Infant/toddler (ages 0-2), Ireland, Picture Book » Themes: , , » Leave a comment

A Stork in a Baobab Tree: An African Twelve Days of Christmas

Set in Africa during the Christmas season, this is the story of a village preparing for a celebration – the birth of a child. The story is told in verse inspired by the traditional carol The Twelve Days of Christmas, but in this version by the author Catherine House the gifts are: 1 stork in [...]

Other Descriptors: Africa, Picture Book, Primary (ages 6-9) » Themes: , » Leave a comment

Welcome to the World

Plenty of books tell parents what’s in store when a new baby arrives. But this one lets a new baby in on what he or she might expect. Styled as a sweet and simple letter to a newborn, this picture book introduces Baby to several first-year splendors, such as feeling warm sunlight, watching the movements [...]

Other Descriptors: Canada, Infant/toddler (ages 0-2) » Themes: , , » Leave a comment

Juba This, Juba That

Traditional “juba” rhythms have a long history. They originated in Nigeria as hand-clapping games. People who were brought to the New World as slaves fought hard to keep their culture alive against terrible odds. They transformed “juba” rhythms into work songs that were passed down orally.

Other Descriptors: Americas, Canada, Picture Book, Primary (ages 6-9) » Themes: , , » Leave a comment

Good Night, World

Good night sun and other stars, good night Saturn, Venus, Mars. Elsewhere in the world it’s light, it’s morning there, but here it’s night. As the sun sets from east to west, this book takes children on a magical round-the-world journey to bid good night to the world’s natural wonders, from plants and animals to [...]

Other Descriptors: Early Years (ages 2-6), International » Themes: , , » Leave a comment

The 12 Days of Christmas

This story sets the traditional Christmas carol in Africa, using a combination of text and rebuses. This book includes author’s note about some of the African traditions depicted.

Other Descriptors: Africa, Picture Book, Primary (ages 6-9) » Themes: , , » Leave a comment

Let The Whole Earth Sing Praise

This joyous book sings thanks and praise for everything in land, sea, and skyÑfrom the sun and moon to plants and animals to all people, young and old. Beloved author-illustrator Tomie dePaola captures the beauty of God’s creation in his folk artÐstyle illustrations. With text inspired by Old Testament Scripture and artwork fashioned after the [...]

Other Descriptors: Early Years (ages 2-6), Picture Book, Primary (ages 6-9) » Themes: , , » Leave a comment