Nearly all preschool storytimes incorporate music, from fingerplays to movement rhymes. Music is a sure-fire way to hold the squirmiest preschooler. Music can also be a great way to expose preschoolers to their first Black History Month. Listed below are some picture books by noted African-American authors and illustrators, and some song books which feature African-American characters. For a craft project, see page 4 of BayViews for the Xerox master for a paperbag puppet of Louis Armstrong, taken from the book, What A Wonderful World by George Weiss, illustrated by Ashley Bryan.

• Gershwin, George, Dubose Heyward, et. al. SUMMERTIME.
  In this new picture book version of the song from "Porgy and Bess," deep oil paintings by Mike Wimmer illustrate the lyrics.
• Isadora, Rachel. BEN’S TRUMPET.
  Set in the 1920’s, young Ben wishes for a real trumpet he can learn to play to replace his imaginary one.
• Pinkney, Brian. MAX FOUND TWO STICKS.
  A boy finds two sticks, then learns to drum on common household objects like hat boxes.
• Raschka, Chris. MYSTERIOUS THELONIUS.
  This unusual book is not for everyone, but many can appreciate how the pictures use colors to depict musical notes.
• Seeger, Pete. ABIYOYO.
  How the magic of music unites a father and son, who defeat a giant. From a South African folktale.
• Weiss, George. WHAT A WONDERFUL WORLD.
  In this picture book version of the popular song, a puppet show is performed to the lyrics. It features a puppet of Louis Armstrong.

January, 2000