Take A Beat! Get On Your Feet!

I’ve always loved the speculation by evolutionary biologists and other anthropology scientists that humans first used singing (or at least, musical tones and verbal sounds) to communicate. Only later did we realize we needed language with words to get across what we wanted others to understand.

After all, our heartbeats bang a steady drum, and every baby can interpret their parents’ moods and intentions long before understanding a single syllable.

(If you’ve ever hummed either a delighted “mmmm!” before eating a delicious meal with your family or a disapproving “mmmm?” at a misbehaving child, you know what I’m talking about!)

Children’s book authors and publishers, fortunately, know how to deliver the rhythm goods, especially in picture books meant to be read (and sometimes sung) out loud. Here are some of my favorites.

Classic

Bing! Bang! Chugga! Beep! by Bill Martin Jr. and Michael Sampson; illustrated by Nathalie Beauvois

Somehow, 20 years after his death, Bill Martin Jr.’s ideas for rhythm-ready, toe-tapping, foot-slapping picture books keep being made with the brilliance of co-creator Michael Sampson. This latest truck-based adventure can be read in a straightforward (but sound-packed) way OR sung to the tune of “This Old Man.” (Earlier Bill Martin Jr. books like Chicka Chicka Boom Boom are absolute classics in how they combine rhythm, rhymes and delight in the musicality of language.)

Pete the Cat: I Love My White Shoes by Eric Litwin; illustrated by James Dean

Listen, nothing beats Pete the Cat books for their humor and style, but this original one has the unique distinction of starting out as a song first. (Check out former teacher Eric Litwin’s YouTube performance video from back in the early aughts!) While Pete’s shoes turn different colors (and then get wet), you can invite children to sing along with the refrain with great enthusiasm!

Bring in the Energy, Bring in the Jam

Bing, Bop, Bam: Time to Jam! by Valerie Bolling; illustrated by Sabrena Khadija

Neighborhood jams are the best jams (after raspberry jam on sourdough toast, of course)! The library’s catalog description summarizes this best: “Author and educator Valerie Bolling’s rhyming text makes for a rollicking read-aloud and features instruments from all around the world including the agog, banjo, daegeum, djembe drums, double bass, erhu, maracas, piano, steel drums and trumpet. Sabrena Khadija’s stunning illustrations depict the joy of dancing, playing music and feasting with neighbors and friends. Readers will clamor to plan jam sessions of their own!”

Inspiring

Drum Dream Girl: How One Girl’s Courage Changed Music by Margarita Engle; illustrated by Rafael Lopez

Drumming comes naturally to most children, but in the early 20^th century it was forbidden for girls to start on this musical path in any real way. This is a fictional account (but based on a real person) of a young girl who took on the strictures of her times and became a famous drumming musician. Be sure to check out the free animated read-aloud (with music!) on the library’s Hoopla app.

Highly interactive

Tap! Tap! Tap! Dance! Dance! Dance! by Hervé Tullet

Tullet is known for books that are more like action-adventure directives (Press Here is the height of interactivity), and this adds a layer of musical movement that will turn your living room into a dance club.

Roll, Roll Little Pea by Cécile Bergame and Magali Attiogbé; translation by Angus Yuen-Killick

How many animals want to eat the little pea? So many! Repeating, rhythmic phrases invite a musical approach that also teaches new vocabulary and introduces animals from all around.

BONUS: Check out a great rhyming book for older readers!

The library’s “Kids Blog” includes regular recommendations of a variety of books for children from 0-10. This is a blog post from last year by Charles Page Library Children’s Associate Leah Reinsager.

Rap, Sing, Read, Rhyme! Simon B. Rhymin’ by Dwayne Reed

Written by Dwayne Reed, who is known as “America’s Favorite Rapping Teacher” from Chicago, this book highlights his own experience as an elementary school teacher to create the fun and believable world of Simon B. Rhymin’.

This realistic fiction book tells the story of Simon Barnes – a compassionate, shy and well-loved 11-year-old Black boy from Chicago, and how he overcomes his fear of public speaking and gives a voice to the homeless within his community.

Our story begins as Simon enters fifth grade at Booker T. Washington Elementary alongside a cast of caring, fun and diverse kids from his neighborhood. Simon loves to rap, and so does his new teacher, Mr. James. This endears Simon to Mr. James, that is, until Mr. James presents the class with an assignment to give an oral presentation on a subject that is close to their heart…and asks Simon to present first! Simon decides to do his presentation on homelessness after he sees Sunny, a well-known and kindhearted man experiencing homelessness in their community, sweeping the steps of their apartment building while singing an old-fashioned song.

The story continues as Simon spends time with Sunny and visits the local homeless shelter to help hand out meals and talk to the people there with his dad. Simon learns that Sunny is a musician, worked at the same job for 15 years, and is a widower. After these conversations, Simon decides to show others who Sunny really is beyond just the label “homeless” and that he will do so as a rap.

Through the encouragement of his friends at school, his family and his new friend Sunny, Simon not only finds the courage to share Sunny’s story with his class, but also inspires his community to join together for a monthly dinner and open mic night.

Mr. Reed has continued writing the Simon B. Rhymin’ series, as well as other inspiring stories that I encourage you to check out. I also recommend looking through his YouTube channel for catchy singalong songs, upbeat raps about topics like staying healthy and recycling, and virtual storytimes.