The Band in Our Basement
A Picture Book
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- $9.99
Publisher Description
In this rollicking, rhyming picture book, a pair of siblings who are supposed to be in bed discover a jazz band playing in their basement
After hearing Daddy’s band practicing in the basement, a brother and sister can’t resist sneaking out of bed to watch them play. Careful, careful, can’t be caught. Tiptoe past the squeaky spot!
They long to join in the fun, but can’t be seen out of bed—until the discovery of a surprise band member turns the jam session into a family affair.
With an energetic, lyrical text from award-winning author Kelly J. Baptist and exuberant illustrations from Jenin Mohammed, The Band in Our Basement will have readers feeling the beat—right before settling back down for bedtime.
The sounds downstairs are funky
and we start to wiggle toes.
We flip-flop and we giggle
with sheets up to the nose.
The rhythm’s steady, the trumpet’s sweet.
Before too long, we’re on our feet!
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
After their dance moves result in a "CRASH," two siblings worry they'll be caught staying up late to listen to Daddy's band practice ("The music stops.../ Our stomachs drop"). But when no one comes to scold them, they sneak down to the basement for a closer listen. Proceeding with a "careful, careful, can't be caught," the pair is delighted when the band invites them to "Come join this thing!" Internal rhyme and repetition pulse through Baptist's buoyant verse, whose tone emphasizes the excitement of a special moment after lights-out. In Mohammed's Gelli print collage and digital illustrations, bold yellow, orange, and pink swaths burst through the cool blues of the children's bedroom and the music, enlivening this jazzy jam session of a book. Characters are depicted with varied brown skin tones. Ages 4–8.
