Tip-Tap Pop

Sarah Lynn (2010), 32 pages

Illustrated by Valeria Docampo

Audience: pre-K

Format: picture book

Pop is Emma’s grandfather who taught her how to tap dance – they would perform together every year for Emma’s birthday … well, every year, until one year … when Pop forgot. But, after that he started to forget a lot of things … so, Emma tries to connect with him through dance, hoping that he’ll remember the steps … "shuffle-shuffle-rustle-slide" as they used to. Eventually, pop joins in – his feet moving from side to side … Emma explains softly to her grandmother “his feet remember” and Gram kindly similes sayings “they remember today … and maybe we can help them remember tomorrow.” A delightful paring of image and text; Docampo’s saturated and lively images are vivacious and play off Lynn’s tender yet sound evocative prose perfectly. This heart-warming story manages to approach common issues surrounding ageing grandparents and memory loss with dignity and subtlety, making it an appropriate read for young children.

Reviewed by: Katharine Quinn, SJSU MLIS Student

If you liked this book, you may like: Rap A Tap Tap: Here’s Bojangles Think of That! (Coretta Scott King Illustrator Honor) by Leo Dillon or Little Mama Forgets by Robin Cruise

Other books by this illustrator: The Library’s Pages and Three Little Tamales

Momma, Where Are You From?

Marie Bradby’s (2000), 32 pages

Illustrated by Chris K. Soentpiet

Audience: pre-K

Format: picture book

The story begins as a daughter asks her mother “Momma, where are you from? Where are you from, Momma?” and as her mother begins to recall her African-American rural roots she answers lyrically, “I’m from Monday mornings, washing loads of loads of clothes in the wringer washer ….” This book is so raw and sweet; it will touch and warm your heart. A perfect book for curious children and nostalgic parents … let this book evoke memories of your own and then share those stories with your child.

Reviewed by: Katharine Quinn, SJSU MLIS Student

If you liked this book, you may like: Something Beautiful by Sharon Dennis Wyeth, Shades of Black: A Celebration of Our Children by Sandra L. Pinkney, or Amazing Grace by Mary Hoffman

Other books by this author: More Than Anything Else, The Longest Wait, and Once Upon a Farm