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Music

A total workout for baby's brain: vocabulary, math, patterns, emotions, social, and more!

Ada's Violin
Music
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From award-winning author Susan Hood and illustrator Sally Wern Comport comes the extraordinary true tale of the Recycled Orchestra of Paraguay, an orchestra made up of children playing instruments built from recycled trash. Ada Ríos grew up in Cateura, a small town in Paraguay built on a landfill. She dreamed of playing the violin, but with little money for anything but the bare essentials, it was never an option...until a music teacher named Favio Chávez arrived. He wanted to give the children of Cateura something special, so he made them instruments out of materials found in the trash. It was a crazy idea, but one that would leave Ada—and her town—forever changed. Now, the Recycled Orchestra plays venues around the world, spreading their message of hope and innovation.
average rating is 4.9 out of 5, based on 291 votes, reviews
Barnyard Dance
Best of Boynton, Music
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Everybody sing along because it's time to do-si-do in the barnyard with a high-spirited animal crew! From Boynton on Board, the bestselling series of board books, here is BARNYARD DANCE, with Sandra Boynton's twirling pigs, fiddle-playing cows, and other unforgettable animals. Extra-big, extra-fat, and extra-fun, BARNYARD DANCE features lively rhyming text and a die-cut cover that reveals the wacky characters inside. Guaranteed to get kids and adults stomping their feet.
average rating is 4.9 out of 5, based on 6428 votes, reviews
Because
Music, Bravery
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Mo Willems, a number one New York Times best-selling author and illustrator, composes a powerful symphony of chance, discovery, persistence, and magic in this moving tale of a young girl's journey to center stage. Illustrator Amber Ren brings Willems' music to life, conducting a stunning picture-book debut.
average rating is 4.8 out of 5, based on 1609 votes, reviews
Clap Your Hands
Music
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Full of reasons to get up and dance, Lorinda Bryan Cauley's popular picture book, now available in board book format, has been delighting children for nearly a decade. Little ones will jump at the chance to join this menagerie of zany animals and children as they stomp, wiggle, roar, and spin their way through the day, as the rhyming text reinforces important concepts.
average rating is 4.8 out of 5, based on 340 votes, reviews
Dancing Feet!
Music
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Lindsey Craig's rollicking text features funny sound words (Tippity! Creepity! Stompity! Thumpity!), dancing animals, a singsong beat, and a guessing element just easy enough for preschoolers to anticipate. Marc Brown's artwork is bright, textured, and joyful, a collage of simple shapes for kids to find and name.
average rating is 4.8 out of 5, based on 231 votes, reviews
Imagine
Celebrity Authors, Thinking Big
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Imagine all the people living life in peace. You may say I'm a dreamer, but I'm not the only one. I hope some day you'll join us, and the world will be as one. Join one little pigeon as she sets out on a journey to spread a message of tolerance around the world. Featuring the lyrics of John Lennon’s iconic song and illustrations by the award-winning artist Jean Jullien, this poignant and timely picture book dares to imagine a world at peace. Imagine will be published in partnership with human rights organization Amnesty International.
average rating is 4.8 out of 5, based on 984 votes, reviews
The Story of Pop
Music
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Dust off your mic and learn all about the history of pop music in this adorable board book! From Elton John and Madonna to Beyoncé and Prince—pop music breathes life into melodies and makes us want to dance! Hit the high notes along with the greats in this delightful baby book that introduces little ones to the pop stars that started it all! Parental Advisory: May cause toddlers to start putting on living room concerts.
average rating is 4.8 out of 5, based on 1515 votes, reviews
The Story of Rap
Music
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Lay down a baby beat and learn all about the history of rap! "This is sooooo adorbs!!" —Missy Elliot on Twitter 2019 National Parenting Product Award Winner From Grandmaster Flash to Kendrick Lamar, rap has shaped generations and brought a voice to the voiceless. Bop along with the greats in this adorable baby book that introduces little ones to the rappers that started it all! Parental Advisory: May cause toddlers to develop excessive amounts of swagger.
average rating is 4.9 out of 5, based on 3254 votes, reviews
The Story of Rock
Music
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1...2...3...4! Let’s rock and roll, babies! 2019 National Parenting Product Award Winner From Elvis Presley to Beatlemania, from Janis Joplin to David Bowie—rock has transformed through generations while ringing true with passionate sound. Rock along with the greats in this delightful baby book that introduces little ones to the rockers that started it all! Parental Advisory: May cause toddlers to play the air guitar with adorable frequency.
average rating is 4.9 out of 5, based on 3282 votes, reviews
The Teddy Bears' Picnic
Music, Grateful Dead
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Join Jerry Garcia in this board book edition of the all-time favorite song, illustrated by bestselling artist Bruce Whatley. It’s rollicking reimaging of the classic song—with singing, dancing, and picnicking teddy bears and a slight ’60s twist. Come along—it's time for the Teddy Bears' Picnic!
average rating is 4.7 out of 5, based on 418 votes, reviews
Trombone Shorty
Music, Thinking Big, African American Leads, Caldecott Medal
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The Caldecott Honor and Coretta Scott King Illustrator Award-winning picture book biography from Grammy-nominated musician Troy “Trombone Shorty” Andrews and celebrated illustrator Bryan Collier “Who’s that playing out there?” Bo Diddley asked the New Orleans crowd. It was a small child who’d been nicknamed “Trombone Shorty” because his trombone was twice as large as he was. Trombone Shorty was lifted in the air and carried through the audience until he reached the stage with Bo Diddley. He has been onstage ever since. Hailing from the Tremé neighborhood of New Orleans, where music always floated in the air, Troy “Trombone Shorty” Andrews didn’t always have the money to buy an instrument, but he did have the dream to play music. This is the story of how he made his dream take flight. Today, Troy Andrews is a Grammy-nominated musician who tours the world with his band, Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue. He continues to inspire hope for the next generation in New Orleans and for music lovers everywhere.
average rating is 4.9 out of 5, based on 624 votes, reviews
Wild Symphony
Music, Celebrity Authors
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#1 New York Times bestselling author Dan Brown makes his picture book debut with this mindful, humorous, musical, and uniquely entertaining book! The author will be donating all US royalties due to him to support music education for children worldwide, through the New Hampshire Charitable foundation. Travel through the trees and across the seas with Maestro Mouse and his musical friends! Young readers will meet a big blue whale and speedy cheetahs, tiny beetles and graceful swans. Each has a special secret to share. Along the way, you might spot the surprises Maestro Mouse has left for you- a hiding buzzy bee, jumbled letters that spell out clues, and even a coded message to solve! Children and adults can enjoy this timeless picture book as a traditional read-along, or can choose to listen to original musical compositions as they read--one for each animal--with a free interactive smartphone app, which uses augmented reality to play the appropriate song for each page when a phone's camera is held over it.
average rating is 4.8 out of 5, based on 2502 votes, reviews
Woodstock, Baby!
Music Festivals, Counting
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A far-out counting board book celebrating the peace and love of Woodstock! Little rockers will love counting everything from peace signs and guitars to bell-bottoms and rock bands in this out-of-sight board book with simple rhyming words and groovy illustrations. It's the perfect gift for every little flower child and music fan.
average rating is 4.8 out of 5, based on 401 votes, reviews

meaningful additions

Children hear more than we think.  Books provide context for new and potentially confusing topics, and give caregivers a way to approach complex topics.

Amazing, highly curated books organized by topics, including strong female leads, LGBTQ family, Black Lives Matter, grandparents and more.

Balanced Rocks
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