Pete the cat wears his school shoes when visiting the library, the lunchroom, the playground, and more while singing his special song.

This is the book we all know and love by Marlo Thomas and her friends—brought to new life with brand new illustrations to captivate and inspire a new generation of readers on a journey of the heart. Whether you are opening Free to Be . . . You and Me for the first time or the one hundredth time you will be engaged and transformed by this newly beautifully illustrated compilation of inspirational stories, songs, and poems. The sentiments of thirty-five years ago are as relevant today as when this …

Step back to an English village in 1255, where life plays out in dramatic vignettes illuminating twenty-two unforgettable characters. Maidens, monks, and millers’ sons — in these pages, readers will meet them all. There’s Hugo, the lord’s nephew, forced to prove his manhood by hunting a wild boar; sharp-tongued Nelly, who supports her family by selling live eels; and the peasant’s daughter, Mogg, who gets a clever lesson in how to save a cow from a greedy landlord. There’s also mud-slinging Barbary (and her noble victim); Jack, the compassionate half-wit; …

Winterhope. It didn’t sound like much, but it was a big idea. A very big idea.

It all started when Hart Evans zinged a rubber band that hit Mr. Meinert, the chorus director. Actually, it started before that, when Mr. Meinert learned he was out of a job because the town budget couldn’t afford music and art teachers. Mr. Meinert got so mad at Hart that he told the sixth graders he’d had it — they could produce the big holiday concert on their own. Or not. It was all up …

Put a nickel in the jukebox, assuming you can locate a jukebox, and that you remember what a nickel is. Here’s legendary Beach Boy Brian Wilson singing lead and 10-part harmonies on “Speed Turtle.” The incomparable Neil Sedaka crooning “Your Nose.” B. B. King brings you a wistful “One Shoe Blues,” Gerry and the Pacemakers offer “Mersey Lullaby,” and relative newcomer (in this seasoned company) Patti LuPone of “Evita” fame sings—what else—the “Rabbit Tango.” And then there’s the hit single from Boynton’s Your Personal Penguin sung by the impossibly cute …

A New Orleans community helps one family raise their rent — by raising the roof! When Sonny’s mom is “let go” from work, there’s just no way to pay the rent. Sonny tries to help by shoveling coal, but the ten cents he earns isn’t enough. Smilin’ Jack, a trumpet player, offers to plan a rent party to raise the needed money. Neighbors bring food to eat and then sing and dance as Smilin’ Jack plays jazz. As the party heats up, guests toss coins in a bucket and their …

If you have ever been lucky enough to hear great jazz, then you will understand the pure magic of this book. Leo and Diane Dillon use bright colors and musical patterns that make music skip off the page in this toe-tapping homage to many jazz greats. From Miles Davis and Charlie Parker to Ella Fitzgerald, here is a dream team sure to knock your socks off. Learn about this popular music form and read a biography of each player pictured-and then hear each instrument …

Little Rat can’t wait to make music like the violinists she sees at concerts in the city. But her biggest obstacle is practicing. It’s boring. It’s hard. And her violin squawks a lot. Luckily, Little Rat’s teacher believes she has talent. And her new tutor agrees. With their encouragement–and some fine-tuning–Little Rat hits all kinds of high notes. But most important, she discovers where beautiful music really comes from. In this third book of Little Rat’s celebrated tales of triumph, Monika Bang-Campbell and Molly Bang prove that with a bit …