Farmer Eva's Green Garden Life
by Jacqueline Briggs Martin
Part of the Live Oak Media eReadalong series
This fifth title of author Jacqueline Briggs Martin's award-winning Food Heroes series features Farmer Eva Sommaripa, who founded Eva's Garden in South Dartmouth, Massachusetts, a place "so close to the ocean, she can smell the sea, so close to woods she can talk to trees."
More than 50 years later, she has grown a big green garden life of friends and neighbors, creatures that crawl, fly, and slither, even microbes that create rich soil in the brown underground. One of the first picture books to focus on a woman farmer, this is also a fascinating story connecting farming with nature, ecology, and science. Included is an Afterword from Eva, Author's Note, Back Matter and Resource page.
Night in the City
Part of the Live Oak Media eReadalong series
An ingenious account of the jobs people does all through the night, when kids are fast asleep.
In “Night in the City”, author and illustrator Julie Downing cleverly uses multiple panels to follow eight people throughout the course of their busy evening, from waking up just as most people are contemplating bedtime, through the following morning.
The jobs depicted are nurse, baker, taxi driver, fire fighter, on location film tech, janitor, museum security guard, and emergency dispatcher.
Together, their stories bring the beating heart of a city to life, making for a book sure to have kids pouring over meticulously designed pages, following the exploits of our lead characters over the course of a single ordinary evening.
I'm New Here
Part of the Live Oak Media eReadalong series
Three children from other countries (Somalia, Spain, and Korea) struggle to adjust to their new home and school in the United States.
Clack, Clack! Smack!
A Cherokee Stickball Story
Part of the Live Oak Media eReadalong series
Written and illustrated by Cherokee Nation tribal members, this fast-paced story follows a game of social stickball played by children from two Cherokee communities in Tahlequah, Oklahoma, the capital of the Cherokee Nation.
Interspersed with the exciting play-by-play of the game is the Tsalagi language (called Cherokee in English), which reflects the importance of keeping the language alive. Vann loves his tribal game, but he isn't as skilled as his teammates. With the coach's encouragement to work together-gadugi-an important Cherokee value, and the help of his best friend Jesse, Vann overcomes his self-doubt in this uplifting story of team spirit and collaboration. Includes a Tsalagi glossary and notes about stickball and language.
We Are Still Here!
Native American Truths Everyone Should Know
Part of the Live Oak Media eReadalong series
Too often, Native American history is treated as a finished chapter instead of an ongoing story. This book offers readers everything they never learned in school about Native American people's past, present, and future.
In My Neighborhood
Part of the Live Oak Media eReadalong series
In this vividly realized city of musical instruments Drum feels like an outcast because he alone, among all his family and neighbors, can't play a melody.
He adores his violin brother, cello father, and piano mother but feels he has nothing to offer to their music. When the Saxophone brothers ask him to play, Drum discovers he can claim his own sound and confidently contributes to the songs shared by all. This story of bravery and identity, infused with Latin rhythms and joy, bursts with exuberance.
Count on Culebra
Go From 1 to 10 in Spanish
Part of the Live Oak Media eReadalong series
In this third book about the four friends -- Conejo (a rabbit), Tortuga (a tortoise), Culebra (a snake) and Iguana -- bilingual counting and vocabulary are the backdrop for a humorous tale. When Conejo can't make her cactus butter dulces because she stubbed her toe, Culebra devises a very loud and ingenious plan to help her forget her pain and get all the friends involved in making the candy. A glossary, pronunciation guide and a no-cook recipe are included.
Rise!
From Caged Bird to Poet of the People, Maya Angelou
Part of the Live Oak Media eReadalong series
This glorious biography of Maya Angelou's life-from her traumatic childhood through her work as a freedom fighter and her triumphant rise as a poet-is a powerful tribute to a phenomenal woman.
I and I Bob Marley
Part of the Live Oak Media eReadalong series
A biography in verse of reggae legend Bob Marley, exploring the influences that shaped his life and music on his journey from rural Jamaican childhood to international superstardom.
Hop, Bunny!
Part of the Live Oak Media eReadalong series
Simple text and photographs describe the plants, animals, and bodies of water that a bunny can see in the forest.
Sleep, Bear!
Part of the Live Oak Media eReadalong series
A bear cub and its family prepare to hibernate for the winter.
The 5 O'Clock Band
by Troy 'Trombone Shorty' Andrews
Part of the Live Oak Media eReadalong series
This companion title to Trombone Shorty-Caldecott Honor, Coretta Scott King Award and Odyssey Honor winner-is a well-tuned, beautiful visual and auditory exploration of a beloved community as Shorty visits the streets of New Orleans to find answers on how to be a leader in his band.
When Grandfather Flew
Part of the Live Oak Media eReadalong series
In this deeply moving story of love and loss Newbery Medalist Patricia MacLachlan celebrates the beautiful relationship between children and grandparents as well as the nurturing world of nature.
Grandfather shares his love of and information about birds with the children and Milo, the youngest, who rarely talks, is especially attentive. When grandfather can no longer see well, Milo helps him spot and take care of some of his favorite birds. The day comes when the children come home from school and Grandfather is no longer there; but Milo knows where he is - outside soaring through the sky is the bald eagle grandfather wanted to be.
Overground Railroad
Part of the Live Oak Media eReadalong series
From the award-winning author and illustrator of Before She Was Harriet comes an original and moving perspective of the Great Migration, as seen through the eyes of the young girl Ruth Ellen, whose family journeys from North Carolina to New York City.
My Dog Has Fleas
A Ukulele Misadventure
Part of the Live Oak Media eReadalong series
Pick up a ukulele and play along! A ukulele-playing dog owner sings about a group of sad flea-bitten dogs as they flee from their treatment and cause comical havoc. By the end of the song, order is restored, and itches abated. Written by an author-musician, the book features a mnemonic device and other tips for how to tune and play a ukulele all captured on this upbeat recording.
Five Stories
Part of the Live Oak Media eReadalong series
Five children, from five different cultures and in five different decades, grow up in the same building on the Lower East Side of New York City.
Jenny Epstein and her family arrive on a steamship from Russia in the 1910s. Jenny writes letters in Yiddish to her grandmother, while practicing her English in her new neighborhood. By the 1930s, when Anna Cozzi and her Italian family move into the building, Jenny has become a teacher in Anna's school. Then José Marte moves in during the 1960s, Maria Torres in the 1980s, and Wei Yei in the Lower East Side of today.
Perfect for early elementary students, this cross section of American history celebrates themany diverse cultures that make up our nation—from the food we eat, to the ways we worship,and the families we love.
Miguel's Community Garden
Part of the Live Oak Media eReadalong series
Miguel and his two dads visit their community garden in search of sunflowers for a celebration. A delightful and easy-to-follow narrative guides young children as they explore the produce that grows on this warm-weather farm and uncover the distinct features of the various fruits and vegetables. This delectable introductory garden-to-table experience includes a delicious recipe.
Nothing
John Cage and 4'33"
Part of the Live Oak Media eReadalong series
What does nothing sound like? An offbeat history of John Cage's 4'33”, a musical composition of blank bars, illustrated by Chris Raschka.
One night in 1952, master pianist David Tudor took the stage in a barnlike concert hall called the Maverick. A packed audience waited with bated breath for him to start playing. Little did they know that the performance had already begun.
A rain patters.
A tree rustles.
An audience stirs.
David was performing John Cage's 4'33”, whose purpose is to amplify the ambient sounds of whatever venue it inhabits. That shocking first performance earned 4'33” plenty of haters; and yet the piece endures, “performed” by the smallest garage bands and the grandest symphonies alike, year after year. Its fans hear what John Cage hoped we would hear: “Nothing” is never silent, and you don't need a creative genius, a concert hall, or even a piano to hear something worthwhile. All you have to do is stop and listen.
Sandor Katz and the Tiny Wild
by Jacqueline Briggs Martin
Part of the Live Oak Media eReadalong series
In this picture book biography of the "Fermentation Revivalist," the award-winning authors of Chef Roy Choi and the Street Food Remix combine the themes of ecology, community-building, and resilience. They explore the beginnings of his love of fermented food from New York City kid through adult life in a queer community in the mountains of Tennessee. Sandor believes that making fermented foods connects ALL of us on planet Earth-people, plants, and the Tiny Wild-and his quotes, author's note, and recipe are all part of this delicious and inspiring presentation.
Zora's Zucchini
Part of the Live Oak Media eReadalong series
The first zucchini of a summer garden is always exciting, but what happens when the plants just keep growing-and growing-and growing? Zora soon finds herself with more zucchini than her family can bake, sauté, or barbecue. Fortunately the ever-resourceful girl comes up with a perfect plan-a garden swap!
Planets
Part of the Live Oak Media eReadalong series
Colorful photographs and simple text introduce the planets.
Trains
Part of the Live Oak Media eReadalong series
All aboard for a fun and fascinating exploration of the many kinds of trains and what they do. There are also clear definitions and "cool things about trains" that new readers will enjoy discovering.
Ohana Means Family
Part of the Live Oak Media eReadalong series
In this cumulative rhyme in the style of "The House That Jack Built," a family celebrates Hawaii and its culture, while serving poi at a luau.
The Thing About Bees
A Love Letter
Part of the Live Oak Media eReadalong series
An exploration of the importance of bees in our world is offered through the author's lyrical observations to his young sons, often with analogies between the insects and children, and always beautifully presented with unconditional love for them both.
Amara's Farm
Part of the Live Oak Media eReadalong series
So many plants grow on Amara's family's intergenerational farm and she needs help finding pumpkins for her potluck. Playful text provides clues for young nature lovers to follow as they hunt among the fruits and vegetables, comparing and contrasting the unique characteristics of pumpkins against okra, cauliflower, apples, and other crops grown on the farm. And there's a tasty pumpkin bread recipe included for young chefs to try!