Happy
BOOK Birthday,
MARKED Roald Dahl!
‘Sonny’s Bridge: Jazz Legend
Sonny Rollins Finds His Groove’
by Barry Wittenstein
This groovy picture book biography chron-
icles the legendary jazz saxophonist Sonny
Rollins’ search for inspiration on the Williams-
burg Bridge after quitting the jazz scene in
1959. Written in rhythmic prose with a “bebop”
edge, this picture book biography of Sonny
Rollins’ journey to get his groove back will
delight young and old fans alike. Ages 6-9.

‘Violette Around the World,
Vol. 2: A New World Symphony!’
by Teresa Radice
Join in the adventures of 12-year-old Violette as
she travels the world as part of a circus, learn-
ing to appreciate the joys of being diff erent.

This little girl with a big heart meets two peo-
ple when she arrives in America – Hiawatha,
a young Native American girl and the famous
composer Antonin Dvoràk. These two new
friends will help her achieve a long-held dream
in this second volume of Violette’s adventures
around the world! Ages: 8-12.

‘Where Is Broadway?’ by Douglas
Yacka, Francesco Sedita and Who HQ
In a lively and engaging style, authors Douglas
Yacka and Francesco Sedita cover the develop-
ment of the fi rst theaters and the birth of the
American musical, as well as the shows and
stars that have become Broadway legends. Read-
ers will get the inside story on their favorite
shows and may even discover some new ones.

Ages 8-12.

‘What Paul Made’ by Valerie Downs
A story inspired by artist Paul Klee’s quote,
“A line is a dot that went for a walk.” What
Paul Made is about friendship, creativity and
the innocence of a child’s imagination. Fol-
low young Paul on a visual journey turning a
simple stroll into an adventure full of color,
nature, curiosity and joy. Together with his dot,
Paul returns home to discover his imagination
created something wonderful. Ages: 8-12.

‘The Cat, the Fiddle and
Me: A Magical Songbook
Journey’ by Larry L Keen
This charming and enchanting story set to a
lyrical song brings alive The Cat, The Fiddle
and Me. Arranged to a sweetly poetic song,
these three unlikely friends visit mystical
lands and meet mythical characters includ-
ing a musical walrus and a gentle giant’s
“friendly pet lion who loves macaroni and
cheese.” Ages 8-12. ■
Each month, we celebrate a
birthday of literary signifi cance.

“Those who don’t believe in magic
will never find it,” Roald Dahl wrote.

Readers of his books
know that he found
it. The author, who
is widely recognized
as one of the 20th
century’s greatest
storytellers for
children, wrote
“Matilda,” “Charlie and
the Chocolate Factory,” “James and
the Giant Peach” and “Fantastic Mr.

Fox,” among others.

Born on Sept. 13, 1916 in Wales,
he attended boarding school as
a teenager in England, according
to Scholastic. One of his teachers
complained in Dahl’s report card
that he “persistently” used words
that meant the opposite of what
was intended. Dahl later captured
this trait in his book, “The BFG,”
starring a Big Friendly Giant
who uses words like “exuncly,”
“fizzwiggler” and “gollup.”
His first children’s story was
“The Gremlins,” published in
1943, about sneaky little folklore
creatures that Dahl learned about
when he served in the Royal Air
Force. He published “James and
the Giant Peach” in 1961, and what
followed was a period of great
creativity that lasted into the 1970s.

Film enthusiasts will know that
“James and the
Giant Peach,”
“Charlie and the
Chocolate Factory,”
“Fantastic Mr.

Fox” and “The
BFG” all have
been made into
movies, increasing
the reach of this
magical writer.

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