5 ALBUMS TO WARM YOUR HEART
AND MOVE YOUR FEET
BY HEATHER M. ROSS
HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE
by Martin and
Rose Music
Parents and
songwriters Martin
and Rose
explore the
social and
emotional landscape of
kids growing up
in the pandemic
and a post-
pandemic world. The
husband-and-wife team involved
the whole family in making this
album, even their dog, Jett. It
was created to remind adults to
take their time and let kids be
kids — for just a little bit longer.

Parents and caregivers can use
these songs to speak with their
children about their feelings,
fostering stronger relationships
and healthy emotional bonds
in the wake of disaster.

martinandrosemusic.com “INTO THE LITTLE BLUE HOUSE”
by Wendy and DB
Introduce your children to new,
Grammy-nominated tunes with
this blues album of original songs
for kids. Creators Wendy and
DB collaborated with the blues
community of Chicago to create
an album for the whole family
to enjoy. Wendy and DB’s lyrics
focus on themes like inclusion,
diversity, love and kindness. A
portion of the proceeds from each
of their albums always goes to
nonprofits such as Jane Goodall’s
Roots and
Shoots, Xerces
Society, A Better
Life for Kids,
Jumpstart and
No Kid Hungry.

Ten percent of
sales from “Into
the Little Blue
14 Washington FAMILY DECEMBER 2022
House” will go to The Pinetop
Perkins Foundation, encouraging
and supporting musicians young
and old. wendyanddb.com
“LOOK BOTH WAYS”
by Tom Knight
Tom Knight recently released his
sixth kids’ album after a nearly-20-
years-long break from recording.

The album, which came out Nov.

18, blends a gentle spirit with
creative, lyrical storytelling. This
album is for all ages, but best for
children ages 3 to 8 years old.

Knight’s goal for the album is to
inspire families and children so
they can sing and dance together.

The album features new material
as well as songs Knight wrote
since his last album in 2003.

Listen for lively tunes like “Wiggly
Tooth” and “The Museum Mambo.”
tomknight.com/store “AN ADOPTION STORY”
by Kitt Wakeley
What would be the soundtrack
to your adoption story? Billboard
chart-topping composer Kitt
Wakely’s orchestral
EP follows his journey
through foster care and
adoption, his reunion
with his sister after
30 years and, coming
full circe, his adoption
of three siblings.

Recorded at the famous Abbey
Road Studios and featuring the
London Symphony Orchestra,
the album’s net proceeds will
support the Ohio-based Dave
Thomas Foundation for Adoption.

kittwakely.com “A THANKFULLY SPOOKTACULAR
CHRISTMAS” by Dennis McKinley
All Star Kid, a new children’s
brand created by TV personality
Dennis McKinley, was inspired
by his 3-year-old daughter, Pilar
Jhena. “A Thankfully Spooktacular
Christmas” includes catchy
songs inspired by popular
children’s tales. With a
diverse cast of original
animated characters and
creative storytelling, this
album has lots to love.

allstarkid.com T
CHILD: SURACHETKHAMSUK /ISTOCK/GETTY IMAGDS PLUS
ALBUM COVERS COURTESY OF PUBLISHER; SHOES COURTESY OF JBRDS
“DEAR HEART”
WF SHOP LOCAL
“MY D.C. MY GO-GO” BY DONNA HENRY
Follow 8-year-old Marleigh as she explores the go-go music scene of
her city, Washington, D.C. Donna Henry is originally from Jamaica but
has called D.C. home for the last 20 years. She uses children’s books
to educate young people about the environment and money, and
encourages them to think critically and ask questions. “My D.C. My
Go-Go” is Henry’s fourth book about D.C.’s culture and history, joining
“My D.C. Her Story,” “Meet My Mayors” and “D.C.’s Superheroes…Our
Mayors.” talesbydonnahenry.com/product-page/my-d-c-my-go-go



10 BOOKS FOR LEARNING
AND FAMILY FUN
BY HEATHER M. ROSS
“DINODOGZ: EGGZELLENT
ADVENTURE” by Mike McHale
“EATING TOGETHER, BEING
TOGETHER: RECIPES, ACTIVITIES,
AND ADVICE FROM A CHEF DAD
AND PSYCHOLOGIST MOM”
by Julian Clauss-Ehlers and
Dr. Caroline Clauss-Ehlers
This book contains more than
80 recipes in addition to essays,
tips and activities for building
healthy family relationships and
delicious meals. This book was
written to get kids involved in
their food choices to help resolve
picky eating, turn meal times into
meaningful bonding experiences
that relieve stress and grow your
child’s conversational skillset.

papress.com “GOD IS JUST LIKE ME”
READING: NATTY BLISSFUL/ISTOCK/GETTY IMAGES PLUS;
BOOKS COURTESY OF THE PUBLISHERS
by Karen Valentin
Author Karen Valentin explores
what it means to be made in the
image of God through a story of
a young Puerto Rican girl living in
New York City. “God is Just Like
Me” is about a young girl going
through each day of the week,
finding ways she and God are
alike. beamingbooks.com
“JOURNEY TO JUSTICE”
by Tanni Haas
This futuristic tale is full of
suspense! Set in a post-global-
warming world, follow Spider and
“MISSING VIOLET”
by Kelly Swemba
Best friends Violet and Mia were
inseparable, until one day Violet
got sick and didn’t get better.

This book follows Mia’s journey
through the stages of grief and
remembering what she loved
most about Violet. This book is
for children ages 5 to 8 years old.

Available beginning Jan. 31, 2023.

beamingbooks.com “ON YOUR WAY!”
By Mike Purewal
Follow along
with this magical
tale crafted by
loving father
Mike Purewal.

This colorfully
illustrated book
follows the main character,
Purewal’s daughter Bianca,
through tackling obstacles like
anger, worry and fear as she
journeys through space with
rainbow trees, rocket ships and
stars galore! Teach your child to
overcome with this touching and
rhythmic storytelling experience.

olympiapublishers.com “RUNNING FOR SHELTER:
A TRUE STORY”
by Suzette Sheft
Suzette Sheft, 16, grew up hearing
stories of her grandmother’s life
during the Holocaust. In the face
“STERLING AND NUGGET
THE DRAGON”
by Judd B. Shaw
Sterling, a brave
young boy, has dreamt
of becoming a knight for as
long as he can remember. In
true knightly fashion, he sets out
to slay the dragon! But Sterling’s
quest is upset by a unique choice.

To fight? Or to help? This story
encourages growth for
children’s emotional and social
development. It is meant for
children between ages 3 and 6.

morgan-james-publishing.com “FIREFIGHTER FLO”
by Andrea Zimmerman
Give your little one a glimpse
into the exciting life of Flo, as she
races to battle raging fires. This
book is part of the Big Jobs, Bold
Women series with the
goal of introducing even
the youngest readers
to women as leaders in
unusual jobs. This book
is best for children ages
3 to 6 years old.

holidayhouse.com/ book/firefighter-flo
HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE
The DinoDogz, which are
half dog, half dinosaur,
go on a rescue mission
to save five StegoPup
eggs from Dr. D. Story
and save the world. This
series is best for kids ages 5 and
older but can be read to younger
children and be just as captivating.

Children of all ages can enjoy
brilliant illustrations of the pups as
they transform and embrace their
dino-features! dinodogz.com
Ruby on their
journey to rescue
Luke, Spider’s
12-year-old twin
brother. Luke is
imprisoned for
trying to organize
an uprising against
The Chosen, a
ruling elite content with their life
of luxury on an artificial island.

Perfect for children ages 9 to 18.

tailorandseal.com of today’s rising antisemitism
and xenophobia, Sheft wrote
this book to share her
grandmother Igne Eisenger’s
story with the world,
especially people her
own age. This book is
best for ages 12 to
18. amsterdam
publishers.com “A TIME TO GROW”
by the PJ Library
This free, updated guide to the
Jewish holidays is available for
free in four languages including
English, Spanish, Portuguese
and Russian. Enjoy beautiful
illustrations, easy to understand
explanations of timeless
traditions and a step-by-step
guide to understanding and
celebrating as a family this holiday
season. amazon.com/pjlibrary;
pjlibrary.org/fall-guide/high- holidays-at-home/downloads/
guide-download T
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