Theodore Taylor III

How do you find your place when everything around you feels completely different? Leaving the big city for a quiet small town is hard. For one young girl, the new neighborhood feels odd and out of place. She misses the shapes moving in every direction, the letters weaving in and out, and the bright colors jumping off the walls of her old home. She misses the wonderful language of graffiti. But a stroll down the street suddenly hits her with a wonderful surprise: vibrant street art splashed against a wall! When that mural gets painted over, she feels like she has lost her sense of belonging all over again. Thankfully, an afternoon adventure reveals that beautiful art can be found everywhere if you just know how to look. This bright and colorful story is a stunning celebration of street art. It will show you how creativity can transform a neighborhood and help you find a true sense of home.

It is time to saddle up for an alphabet adventure! Join superstar musician Lil Nas X and his trusty pony, Panini, on a fabulous journey from sunup to sundown. Every day is a brand-new start in this brightly colored country world. You will learn that A is for Adventure, B is for Boots, and C is for Country! Get ready to experience wide-open pastures, farm animals, twangy guitar music, and cozy cowboy hats. This bold and empowering picture book is packed with swagger and extra energy. Whether you love singing along to hit songs or are just learning your ABCs, you will discover that learning the alphabet can be uniquely fun. Grab your favorite boots and get ready to explore a joyful, music-filled farm where every letter brings a brand new surprise.

Morning has broken, and it is time to get to work! Welcome to a brand new day of hope and change. Woke babies are up early, raising their fists in the air and crying out for justice. They know that even the smallest voices can make a mighty roar. This empowering and lyrical picture book celebrates the joy of being a baby and the power of standing up for what is right. With bright, playful artwork, this story is a beautiful anthem for the youngest progressives. It will inspire you to dream big, be brave, and grow up to change the world. After all, the only limit to a skyscraper is more blue sky!

Long before hip hop was a global phenomenon, it began with a boy named Clive who loved the big sounds of Jamaica. After moving to the Bronx, Clive became DJ Kool Herc, and on one legendary hot August night in 1973, he changed music forever. At his sisters back to school party, Herc noticed that the crowd went wild during the instrumental breaks in the records. He figured out how to use two turntables to make those breaks last longer, creating a brand new beat for the neighborhood kids to dance to. This is the true story of how a single party sparked a movement. You will see how DJ Kool Hercs innovation brought people together, turning city streets into dance floors and transforming rivalries into breakdancing battles. It is an energetic look at the birth of a culture that gave a voice to the youth and eventually took over the world.

Step into the lush, green Pacific Northwest and discover the amazing world of a trailblazing scientist. Meet Charles S. Parker, an unsung Black botanist and mycologist whose passion for plants changed the scientific world. Born in 1882, Charles loved nothing more than trudging through dense forests, climbing steep mountains, and wading into lakes to find new and fascinating plant life. When World War I broke out, Charles was drafted to fight. He experienced harsh prejudice and witnessed massive ecological devastation. But instead of giving up, those difficult experiences only made him more determined to follow his dreams. He wanted to build a career making things grow, rather than destroying them. After the war, he traveled across the United States, discovering new species of plants and fungi, and even solving the mystery of a disease that was killing fruit trees. This inspiring true story follows Charles as he becomes a celebrated teacher at Howard University. It will encourage you to follow your curiosity, overcome obstacles, and share your love of science with the world.