Picture Books
Dream Builder by Kelly Starling Lyons is an inspirational biography of Black STEM Hero and Philly native Phillip Freelon. The author provides the reader with an engaging chronological account of Freelon’s ascension from a struggling young reader to an architect who worked on the team that built the African American History Museum. This inspirational story provides children with a hero to model their dream pursuit after.
This book captures the following powerful aspects of Freelon’s dream pursuit: (1) the role his grandfather played in inspiring him, (2) the impact of living in a Black community with neighbors who exemplified Black Excellence, (3) his awakening to his intellectual strengths, and (4) his commitment to erecting buildings that inspired life.
The portrait-like illustrations display Freelon’s childhood struggles, deep intellectual curiosity in his college years, and his bold commitment to excellence and his people as a professional.
This book is a powerful tool to inspire children to develop and advance their dreams despite their academic barriers. Freelon’s story shows he had academic barriers, but he decided to build pathways through them to accomplish his dream. This is a must buy book that should be on every kid’s bookshelf!
Sing a Song by Kelly Lyon Starling is a must-read book. The author takes the reader on an amazing generational journey of teaching and learning the Black National Anthem. In the beginning of the story, a little girl learned the song in school and practiced it everywhere she went. As time progressed, she knew the song by heart. When the girl grew up, she sung the song to her newborn son. When he grew up, he sung it to his daughter. When the granddaughter grew up, she sung it to her son. The author does a magnificent job at capturing the power, significance, and seriousness of the song for Black people across generations.
The illustrations by Keith Mallett portray the joys and struggles of Black life in America. However, the one lingering message the artwork brings out is the power of singing and its ability to bring forth hope. In addition, the illustrations with the author’s words illuminate children’s role as messengers of hope.
For parents, this book is a great introduction to teaching your young dreamer the importance of the song before teaching him/her the powerful words.
Down home is Granny’s house. Down home is where Lil Alan and his parents and sister will gather with great-grandparents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins. Down home is where Lil Alan will hear stories of the ancestors and visit the land that has meant so much to all of them. And down home is where all of the children will find their special way to pay tribute to their family history. All the kids have to decide what they’ll share, but what will Lil Alan do?
Kelly Starling Lyons’ eloquent text explores the power of history and family traditions, and stunning illustrations by Coretta Scott King Honor- and Caldecott Honor-winner Daniel Minter reveal the motion and connections in a large, multi-generational family.
by Kelly Starling Lyons (Author), Nicole Tadgell (Illustrator)
2021 Christopher Award - Books for Young People
WSRA Children's Literature: Picture This 2021 Recommendation List
Penn GSE Graduate School of Education, The Best Books for Young Readers of 2020
Black Caucus of the American Library Association BCALA, 2020 Best of the Best Booklist
Read Across America, Picture Book of the Month March 2021
A mother-daughter story about celebrating a special fashion tradition.
Tiara has a gift for storytelling; her momma has a gift for making hats. When a new store opens that sells cheaper hats, Momma has to set her dreams aside, but Tiara has an idea for helping Momma's dreams come true again.
Chapter Books
by Kelly Starling Lyons (Author), Vanessa Brantley-Newton (Illustrator)
As a candidate for class representative, Jada is ready to give the campaign her all. But when rumors start to fly about her secret fear of public speaking, she isn't sure who she can trust. And the pressure to make promises she can't keep only adds to her growing list of problems. Is winning even worth it when friendships are on the line?
This easy-to-read story—with plenty of pictures and a charming, relatable cast of characters—is a sure winner. The early chapter book bridges between leveled readers and chapter books for fluent readers adjusting to the chapter book format. At about 5,000 words, with short chapters and two-color art on almost every page, it will appeal to this unique reader. The two-color art throughout will help readers transition from the familiar four-color art of leveled readers and ease them into black-and-white chapter books.
When Jada Jones's best friend moves away, school feels like the last place she wants to be. She'd much rather wander outside looking for cool rocks to add to her collection, since finding rocks is much easier than finding friends. So when Jada's teacher announces a class project on rocks and minerals, Jada finally feels like she's in her element. The only problem: one of her teammates doesn't seem to like any of Jada's ideas. She doesn't seem to like Jada all that much, either. Can Jada figure out a way to make a winning science project and a new friend?
The early chapter book bridges between leveled readers and chapter books for fluent readers adjusting to the chapter book format. At about 5,000 words, with short chapters and two-color art on almost every page, it will appeal to this unique reader. The two-color art throughout will help readers transition from the familiar four-color art of leveled readers and ease them into black-and-white chapter books.
Jada Jones is back for the fourth book of this popular, celebrated series perfect for STEM fans!
"Readers who love Ivy and Bean or Katie Woo will want to meet Jada Jones." --School Library Journal
When the student council decides to host a dance as their next fundraiser, Jada feels nervous and queasy. She's excited to give back, but she can't dance! Still, she's determined to help the cause and show she cares. She practices her moves, gets help from friends, and even does research at the library to prepare--but will it be enough to help her create change in her community?
Paperback
From the award-winning author of the Jada Jones chapter books comes an illustrated spinoff series perfect for STEM fans!
Valentine's Day is approaching, and Miles Lewis doesn't really like all the mush that comes with it. He is excited about the candy experiments they're doing in science class, though. And when his teacher asks for adult volunteers to help out, Miles and his friend Jada share that they're both planning on inviting their grandparents. That's when they realize that Miles's Nana and Jada's Pop Pop have a lot in common--could they be a perfect match?
By Kelly Starling Lyons
From the award-winning author of the Jada Jones chapter books comes an illustrated spin-off series perfect for STEM fans!
When Miles and his classmates welcome a few frogs as class pets, it's a reminder that what he really wants more than anything is a dog to call his own. But his parents don't think he's ready, and his attempts to show them that he truly can care for critters all end in disaster. Can Miles pull it together and prove that he's responsible enough for a pet once and for all?
by Kelly Starling Lyons
Miles Lewis loves science and sports. But when his teacher announces a class field trip to an ice skating rink to learn about physics, he isn't so excited. He's never ice skated before, and his friend RJ won't let him forget it.
RJ even challenges him to a bet: If Miles skates without falling, RJ will put a “Miles is the man” sign on his backpack. But if Miles falls, he has to put one on his that says the same about RJ. Miles can barely focus on the bet, though, because he suspects his beloved Nana has plans to move out of his family's house—and that's just too much to bear.
Can he keep his cool with all the pressure from RJ while finding a way to make his grandma stay?