john coltrane's giant steps

This is an incredible one, published a while ago, but worth seeking out: John Coltrane's Giant Steps remixed by Chris Raschka. #kidlitcaturday

"Good evening.  And thank you for coming to our book.  We have something very special for you tonight.  It's John Coltrane's marvelous and tricky composition, 'Giant Steps,' performed for you by a box, a snowflake, some raindrops, and a kitten.  Why not stay and see it?  While our performers are limbering up, let me say a few words about the composer.  John Coltrane played soprano saxophone (little) and tenor saxophone (big) and wrote music which, in his hands, became swirling, leaping, tumbling 'sheets of sound.'  That's what he called it.  But why tell you when we can show you?  Ready, my friends?"

Published by Simon & Schuster.

aldo ice cream

Did anyone ever read the Aldo series growing up?  While it’s not technically old enough to be considered “classic," I thought I’d share something I read as a kid for this week’s #classicchapterbooks.  I loved reading Beverly Cleary and when I had gone through all of her books, I scoured the racks at the library for more books about ordinary kids (although Aldo Sossi is a little on the quirky side).  I loved realistic fiction and it’s funny, that’s what my daughter is into now, too.  So I snagged a copy of this for her, hoping that she’ll take a liking to it as well.  Be sure to check out what @the.book.report is sharing this afternoon.

henry's bright idea

Meet the Walnut Animal Society.  Their mission is “to create and to always remain curious.”  Henry, the founding member, is an inventor and tinkerer who one day loses something.  He loses an idea!  After searching high and low and without any luck, he decides to go for a walk with Eleanor.  They meander through the forest and with night donning and Henry about to lose hope, he runs into some unlikely friends who play a part in helping him solve his problem.

Henry's Bright Idea was written by Lauren Bradshaw of Walnut Animal Society, illustrated by Wednesday Kirwan and published by Cameron Books.

samson in the snow

A story cloaked in frigid white snow but warmed by sweet, unexpected friendship.  Philip C. Stead’s book dedication is so fitting — “To anyone who is having a bad day.”  There’s a quiet, contemplative quality to his illustrations and a great vastness in his snowy landscapes that envelops the reader as they’re pulled into the narrative.  You can almost hear the hushed silence of the snow and the soft crunching of footsteps in it.  The thoughtful writing will sink in and settle into your soul after a good few readings.

Samson in the Snow was written and illustrated by Philip C. Stead, and published by Roaring Brook Press.