Each month a variety of observances and celebrations take place, from well-known holidays to much lesser known fun (and downright funny or strange!) observances.

National Poetry Month

Check out some of the Library’s poetry programs and events all month long, along with some great selections of poetry books for kids!  April 17th is specifically International Haiku Poetry Day!  Here’s some haiku to read.

Jazz Appreciation Month

Learn about jazz and jazz musicians:

• A Child’s Introduction to Jazz: The Musicians, Culture, and Roots of The World’s Coolest Music by Jabari Asim, Jerrard K. Polk Library Catalog
• Benny Goodman & Teddy Wilson: Taking the Stage as the First Black-and-White Jazz Band in History by Lesa Cline-Ransome, art by James Ransome Library Catalog
• Jazz by Walter Dean Myers, art by Christopher Myers Library Catalog
• Just a Lucky So and So: The Story of Louis Armstrong by Lesa Cline-Ransome, art by James Ransome Library Catalog
• Spirit Seeker: John Coltrane’s Musical Journey by Gary Golio, art by Rudy Gutierrez Library Catalog
• Duke Ellington by Andrea Davis Pinkney, art by Brian Pinkney Library Catalog
• Ella Fitzgerald: The Tale of a Vocal Virtuosa by Andrea Davis Pinkney, art by Brian Pinkney Library Catalog
• How Jelly Roll Morton Invented Jazz by Jonah Winter, art by Keith Mallett Library Catalog
• Sonny Rollins Plays the Bridge by Gary Golio, art by James Ransome Library Catalog
• Trombone Shorty by Troy Andrews, art by Bryan Collier Library Catalog
• Nina: Jazz Legend and Civil Rights Activist by Alice Brière-Haquet, art by Bruno Liance Library Catalog
• Stompin’ at the Savoy: How Chick Webb Became the King of Drums by Moira Rose Donohue, art by Laura Freeman Library Catalog
• Mary’s Idea by Chris Raschka Library Catalog

International Guitar Month

Check out some great reads about famous guitarists:

• Jimi: Sounds Like a Rainbow – a Story of the Young Jimi Hendrix by Gary Golio, illustrated by Javaka Steptoe Library Catalog
• Ordinary Days: The Seeds, Sound and City that Grew Prince Rogers Nelson by Angela Joy, art by Jacqueline Alcántara Library Catalog
• When Angels Sing: the Story of Rock Legend Carlos Santana by Michael Mahin, art by Jose Ramirez Library Catalog
• Little Rosetta and the Talking Guitar: the Musical Story of Sister Rosetta Tharpe, the Woman Who Invented Rock and Roll by Charnelle Pinkney Barlow Library Catalog
• Rock, Rosetta, Rock! Presenting Sister Rosetta Tharpe, the Godmother of Rock & Roll by Tonya Bolden, art by Gregory R. Christie Library Catalog

Celebrated on April ____ is…

• • 4th: National Burrito Day Books About Burritos
  • 12th: International Day of Human Space Flight Books About Space Flight
  • 15th: Jackie Robinson Day Books About Jackie Robinson
  • 22nd: Earth Day Find some additional great reads, activities and information about Earth Day from our posts from previous years
  • 23rd: Talk Like Shakespeare Day Works by Shakespeare
  • 26th: Arbor Day Check out some Pecuilar Picks for Arbor Day
  • 28th: National Superhero Day Check out some Superheroic Books