Peculiar Picks are a selection of odd, funny, interesting, curious, moving, irreverent, and otherwise wonderfully awesome, but perhaps not well known, reads. Peculiar Picks are books for younger readers and their grown-ups, handpicked by the Library's Youth Services Manager, Joshua Carlson.
Here’s Part 3 of Peculiar Picks of books based on songs, uplifting and positive. Here are Part 1 and Part 2.
Note: I recommend caregivers listen to the music for themselves before sharing with their child to determine if they feel it is appropriate for their child.
Library Catalog
I am completely of the opinion that there should be more picture books based on David Bowie songs. “Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars” sounds like it would be a phenomenal picture book about an outer space adventure and “Cat People (Putting Out Fire)” could easily be about anthropomorphic fire fighting felines. Right?
Let’s Dance is a celebration of dancing, grooving and getting down, with a wonderfully diverse cast of characters portrayed moving to the lyrics.
Check out “Let’s Dance” on Bowie’s album of the same name, as well as dive into some more of the Thin White Duke’s catalog.
- Let’s Dance Hoopla / Library Catalog
- The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars Hoopla / Library Catalog
- “Heroes” Hoopla / Library Catalog
- Blackstar Library Catalog
- Best of Bowie Hoopla / Library Catalog
- The Best of David Bowie 1969-1974 Hoopla
- The Best of David Bowie 1980-1987 Hoopla
- Glastonbury 2000 (Live) Hoopla / Library Catalog
- A Reality Tour (Live) Library Catalog
Hoopla / Library Catalog
The words to the classic Fleetwood Mac track set the stage for a spring adventure as a bunny and woodland friends experience a fun day together.
Check out “Don’t Stop” on the amazing album Rumours by Fleetwood Mac, along with some other great Fleetwood Mac albums.
- Rumours (Deluxe Edition) Hoopla / Library Catalog
- Fleetwood Mac (Deluxe Edition) Hoopla / Library Catalog
- Tusk Hoopla (Deluxe Edition) / Library Catalog
- The Very Best of Fleetwood Mac Hoopla / Library Catalog
OverDrive and Libby / Library Catalog
Just thinking about this book makes that ear-worm bouncy track play through my head, and I’m sure you hear it now, too. The mixed media of photos of a group of diverse children melded with artwork does well to show the kids playing, using their imaginations and being happy. It’s a wonderful little book.
“Happy” can be heard on the
- Despicable Me 2 Soundtrack Library Catalog
OverDrive and Libby / Library Catalog
I mentioned this book in my Peculiar Picks for Earth Day, but I love Armstrong’s rendition of this song so much I felt it needed to be included here, as well. Hopgood has created a delightful picture book featuring the words of one of the most beautiful songs ever recorded. What a Wonderful World has an important message encouraging us to remember just how precious the Earth is, our lives are, and offers us the opportunity to take a moment to reflect on simple joys, love, the beauty all around us, and how we and nature are all connected in this wonderful world.
“What a Wonderful World” and other songs by Louis Armstrong, as well as other versions of “What a Wonderful World” can be heard on:
- What a Wonderful World by Louis Armstrong Hoopla / Library Catalog
- What a Wonderful World by Willie Nelson Library Catalog
- Don’t Worry About Me by Joey Ramone Hoopla
- 20th Century Masters: Louis Armstrong Hoopla / Library Catalog
- The Ultimate Collection by Louis Armstrong Hoopla
- Ella and Louis by Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong Hoopla / Library Catalog
- Finding Forrester Soundtrack (includes the beautiful “Over the Rainbow / What a Wonderful World” by Israel Kamakawiwo'ole) Library Catalog
- The Katie Melua Collection Hoopla
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