Books in Reading Rainbow series

It was a day when Max didn't feel like talking to anyone. He just sat on his front steps and watched the clouds gather in the sky. A strong breeze shook the tree in front of his house, and Max saw two heavy twigs fall to the ground. So begins this story of a young boy's introduction to the joys of making music. Max picks up the sticks and begins tapping out the rhythms of everything he sees and hears around him...the sound of pigeons startled into flight, of rain against the windows, of distant church bells and the rumble of a subway. And then, when a marching band rounds Max's corner, something wonderful happens. Brian Pinkney's rhythmic text and lively pictures are certain to get many a child's foot tapping, many a youngster drumming.

Outcasts become heroes in this picture book adaptation of a South African lullaby and folk story.No one wants to hear the little boy play his ukelele anymore...Clink, clunk, clonk. And no one wants to watch his father make things disappear...Zoop! Zoop! Until the day the fearsome giant Abiyoyo suddenly appears in town, and all the townspeople run for their lives and the lives of their children! Nothing can stop the terrible giant Abiyoyo, nothing, that is, except the enchanting sound of the ukelele and the mysterious power of the magic wand.

An inspiring tale of creativity and determination on the Underground Railroad from Coretta Scott King Award winner James Ransome and acclaimed author Deborah Hopkinson.Clara, a slave and seamstress on Home Plantation, dreams of freedom—not just for herself, but for her family and friends. When she overhears a conversation about the Underground Railroad, she has a flash of inspiration. Using scraps of cloth from her work in the Big House and scraps of information gathered from other slaves, she fashions a map that the master would never even recognize. . . .From the award-winning author-illustrator team of Deborah Hopkinson and James Ransome, this fictional tale of the Underground Railroad continues to inspire young readers 25 years after its original publication."Inspiring." —The New York Times"A triumph of the human spirit." —Publishers Weekly, starred review

Sam is called a sea cow because that's what he looks like - a big cow grazing in the ocean. Another name for Sam is manatee. In this book we meet Sam when he is just hours old and leave him when he is ready to mate. In between is a great deal of information about manatees mixed in with a big adventure for Sam. An exciting, fact-filled book gorgeously illustrated in full color.

A Caldecott Honor and Reading Rainbow book, this memorable retelling of Cinderella is perfect for introducing children to the fairy tale as well as the history, culture, and geography of the African nation of Zimbabwe.Inspired by a traditional African folktale, this is the story of Mufaro, who is proud of his two beautiful daughters. Nyasha is kind and considerate, but everyone—except Mufaro—knows that Manyara is selfish and bad-tempered.When the Great King decides to take a wife and invites the most worthy and beautiful daughters in the land to appear before him, Mufaro brings both of his daughters—but only one can be queen. Who will the king choose?Award-winning artist John Steptoe’s rich cultural imagery of Africa earned him the Coretta Scott King Award for Mufaro’s Beautiful Daughters. The book also went on to win the Boston Globe-Horn Book Award. This stunning story is a timeless treasure that readers will enjoy for generations.Coretta Scott King Award for IllustrationCaledcott HonorReading Rainbow BookBoston Globe-Horn Book

In Knots on a Counting Rope, Bill Martin, Jr. and John Archambault tell a poignant story about a boy’s emerging confidence in facing his blindness in this beautiful children’s picture book illustrated by Ted Rand.By the warmth of a campfire beneath a starry night sky, a Navajo youth named Boy-Strength-of-Blue-Horses listens to the tale of his birth from his grandfather. Although blind, the boy learns that he has the strength to cope with his condition and meet any challenge that comes his way.“The powerful, spare, poetic text is done full justice by Rand’s fine full-color illustrations…The love, hope, and courage expressed are universal.”― Booklist (starred review)

A Reading Rainbow Book! This zany alligator with a love for footwear is guaranteed to make you laugh—no ifs, and, or boots about it. Alvin the alligator loves to watch people—more specifically, their shoes. But his interest leads to fun and a bit of trouble when he spends the night locked in a shoe store trying on the merchandise! "It's funny immediately."—The Seattle Post-Intelligencer "Dorros [has] a genuine, offhand comic talent."—Kirkus Reviews "In this zany story, the surprise ending carries an artfully-hidden message."—The Weekly Washington

This classic picture book from beloved author-illustrator Aliki is a great way to explore feelings with younger kids, whether at home or in the classroom. Happy, sad, shy, excited—how do you feel? No matter the emotion, Feelings explores it—and helps children understand and express their own feelings.Best-selling author Aliki uses a child-friendly cartoon style to build empathy and awareness in young readers—and to help them find appropriate ways to handle their feelings. Short, funny comics show how children might feel in different situations—at a birthday party, when a beloved pet dies, on the first day of school, and more.A timeless classic ideal for sharing. "Children often have difficulty articulating emotions. That fact is the underpinning for Aliki's catalog of feelings, be they happy, sad, or somewhere in between." —Booklist"A delightful book." —New York Times Book Review

With illustrations as timeless as the tale, this edition of a classic will delight both parents and children. Once upon a time, there was a tortoise and the hare. Tortoise was friendly and quiet. He did everything slowly. Hare was flashy and rude. He did everything quickly. Janet Steven’s signature style adds color, light, and humor to this classic fable. Parents will love revisiting this story as much as children will love reading it, as its always a good time to be rereminded slow and steady wins the race!