BOOK MARKED
Learning from the Arts
20 Books About Art’s Impact
on Kids and Teens
BY MONTGOMERY COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARIES STAFF: MICHELLE HALBER,
CHILDREN’S LIBRARIAN AT THE DAVIS BRANCH AND MARANDA L. SCHOPPERT,
HEAD OF CHILDREN SERVICES AT THE GERMANTOWN BRANCH
Welcome to September! It’s a new school year, so break the mold,
step outside your comfort zone and dream big. Maybe your child can take
advantage of opportunities to learn or improve skills in music or the arts.

Here is a list of books about kids exploring music, dance and art
while learning about life.

PICTURE BOOKS
“Opposite Abstract”
written and illustrated by Mo Willems
This special book takes abstract art and cre-
ates conversations around the concepts of
line, shapes and color. A read that could also
be of interest to art teachers or therapists.

“Electric Slide and Kai”
by Kelly T. Baptist, illustrated by Dar-
nell Johnson
Kai is the only one in the family who can’t
dance, and now there is a wedding coming
up. Can he finally learn some moves and be
granted a dance nickname like his brothers
and sisters?
“We Will Rock Our Classmates”
written and illustrated by Brian T.

Higgins Penelope the Dinosaur wants to play her
guitar at the school talent show, but dino-
saurs don’t play guitar. With some help, she
realizes her rock and roll dreams!
“Not Quite Snow White”
by Ashley Franklin, illustrated by
Ebony Glenn
On stage, you can be anyone you want to
be, and Tameika wants to be Snow White
more than anything. When she overhears
someone call her “too chubby” and “too
brown,” Tameika doubts herself, but with
a little self-acceptance and a lot of cour-
age, Tameika takes the stage! This feel-good
picture book reminds us that anyone can
be a princess.

“The One and Only Dylan St.

Claire” by Kamen Edwards, illustrated by
Jeffrey Ebbeler
Dylan St. Claire just knows that he is des-
tined to be a star. So, when he is cast as a
squirrel in the school play, it feels like the
end of the world. Instead of pitying him-
self, Dylan is determined to be the best
squirrel the world has ever seen. A bright
28 Washington FAMILY SEPTEMBER 2022
and funny book, sure to inspire everyone’s
inner performer.

EARLY ELEMENTARY
BOOKS “Tap Dance Troubles”
by C.L. Reid, illustrated by Elena
Aiello Emma has been taking tap dance classes and
is really excited for her final performance of
the year. However, due to the noise of the
tapping, her cochlear implant doesn’t pick
up the final notes of the number. Practice
and a friend help her discover a solution.