Musicologist, Anna Harwell Calenza tells young readers how it was that Duke Ellington and his collaborator, Billy Strayhorn, came to transform Tchaikovsky's classic Nutcracker Suite into a collection of jumpin' jazz melodies. Based on historic fact, this is a terrific way to introduce young audiences to jazz, using familiar music that they recognize as they hear the new variations. The story reflects how reluctant some of the band members were to playing ballet music and how the work of two masters opened their ears and minds. Vivid colors dance through the pages of the handsome book that comes with an orchestral CD of the composition played by Duke Ellington himself and members of his orchestra.

Age: Early School Years, Later School Years. Award Year: 2011.

Marjorie W. Sharmat's series has long been a staple for young chapter book readers. This 4-disk set includes The Lost List, The Sticky Case, The Fishy Prize, The Boring Beach Bag, The Mushy Valentine, Talks Turkey, and the Hungry Book Club. These are good for car pool quiet time or afternoon rest time. Bringing home some of the recordings give young readers a way into a series that they may then go on to enjoy on their own. 9 and up.

Age: Early School Years, Later School Years. Award Year: 2011. Click here to purchase the product on Amazon.com.

In this most recent recording of a Magic Tree House adventure, Jack and Annie are off to ancient India where they must find a magical emerald in order to rescue Penny, a penguin that has been put under a spell and turned to stone. Read by the author, Mary Pope Osborne, this is one of a series that 9-12 year olds love. Bringing home a 2 CD set may be a great way to whet their appetite to both hear and read more of the dozens of Magic Tee House stories. We like that it combines some fantasy with history and adventure that is right on the mark for this age group. They like having some familiar characters that ease them into each new story. Also new this season, Dogs in the Dead of Winter, a Swiss adventure.

Age: Early School Years, Later School Years. Award Year: 2011. Click here to purchase the product on Amazon.com.