Juvenile Fiction / Performing Arts Books

A young boy attempts to find the perfect place to curl up and read his new book. Color illustrations accompany the text.

A father loves watching his daughter dance--from her first recital where she was dressed as an ear of corn to the final dance she does just for him as he nears the end of his life. Illustrated with color paintings. The author's proceeds from the sale of this book will be donated to the Christmas Box House International for abused and neglected children.

Fourteen-year-old Jessie Bollier, an excellent flute player, is kidnapped from New Orleans during the summer of 1840 and forced into service on a slave-trader ship bound for Africa. On board, Jessie is forced to be the Slave Dancer, who plays the flute while the slaves "dance" in their shackles for exercise. Winner of the 1974 Newbery Medal.

Harriet runs away from home to pursue the ballet career forbidden by her father. She finds love and a new life...until her father tracks her down.

First there's a trombone playing "with mournful moan and silken tone." It's joined by nine more instruments, each of whose character is poetically described, until a chamber orchestra is assembled. The pictures in this book seem to flow with the instruments they're describing, and even the dog, two cats and mouse who frolic through these pages are entranced by the music. Selected by the New York Times Book Review as one of the Best Illustrated Children's Books of 1995.

After learning that Miss Maggie, her 88-year-old babysitter, still misses a doll she lost when she was a little girl, Ellie searches for a replica to give to Miss Maggie for her birthday. Illustrated with color paintings.

Zoot-suit-wearing Scat Cat Monroe meows through the story of jazz great Ella Fitzgerald's life. From her childhood singing on street corners in Yonkers to memorable performances at the greatest venues in the world, the First Lady of Song was one of the greatest jazz performers ever. Text accompanied by scratchboard illustrations.

Originally published in 1978, this delightful circus book by famed ELOISE illustrator Hilary Knight is filled with exotic animals, feats of daring, and even Dolly's Dancing Dogs. With glorious, full-color illustrations.

During the 1920s, Dave is 11 years old. After his father dies, he must cope with being abandoned by his terrible stepmother, who doesn't feel like taking care of him anymore. She leaves him at the Hebrew Home for Boys--a dark, chilling place where the superintendent thinks that the boys in the home are worthless human beings. Dave's only solace is sneaking out at night, when he meets plenty of loving, caring people that like him, too. Together, they just might make it through the tough times.