New Releases by Angela Shelf Medearis

George is unhappy to receive a homemade muffler and itchy long underwear for Christmas, but they come in handy when he has an accident while ice skating.

When a bespectacled stranger shows up at the Z-Bar Ranch asking to borrow a horse, the cowboys think they''ll have some fun. They offer him the Zebra Dun, the meanest, wildest, most ornery horse around. But this newcomer not only rides the Zebra Dun with ease, he also out-wrangles every other hand on the ranch-- proving that every educated fellow''s not a plumb greenhorn.

A biography of the journalist, newspaper owner, and suffragette who campaigned for civil rights and founded the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People.

Ransome''s paintings are glorious in this celebration of the market in the French Quarter of New Orleans at the turn of the century, and Medearis'' poetic rhyme captures the rhythm of the street cries and the ragtime beat of the marching band. A young girl is awakened by the shouts of the street vendors ("Nice little snap beans / pretty little corn"). She runs to the window, opens it wide. What she sees are "Creole women in red bandannas," shouting vendors with baskets on their heads, fruit sellers with juicy watermelons, shoppers searching for best buys. The beautifully composed, richly colored paintings are filled with light and movement, from market street scenes to close-ups of luscious vegetables. The child is part of it all, reaching for fruit, watching, listening, and then joining in, high-stepping, whirling, and twirling to the hot jazz notes of the marching band.

Introduces the influence of African-based foods, cooking techniques, and traditions to American culinary history.

Provides recipes and suggestions for celebrations for African-American holidays and special occasions throughout the year.

Explores the dance traditions of African Americans, from their origins in the expressive dances that the slaves brought from Africa through the development of jazz and tap to modern dance and ballet.

A West African tale where one of the yams a farmer is gathering starts to talk to him.

A couple''s youngest son is forced to leave his West African village because he chooses music over the more practical occupations of his brothers, but years later he returns to show the wisdom of his choice.

The children learn 100 spelling words, plant 100 seeds, bake 100 cookies, and "do everything the 100 way" to celebrate this special day.

Poppa finds a pair of lovely pants, only six inches too long, but Grandma Tiny, Big Momma, and Aunt Viney are all too tired to hem them before church.

A kid-friendly guide to the history and customs of Kwanzaa. This informative and fun guide to the holiday of Kwanzaa by Black author Angela Shelf Medearis provides information about parties, recipes for African-inspired dishes, instructions for craft projects, and brief biographies of individuals who are connected to the holiday and its history.

The story of Coretta Scott King covering her childhood and her help in leading the civil rights movement.

Tells the story of a family that loves music and plays instruments well, except for Annie, but Annie finds her own special gifts.

Celebrating the legacy of African Americans, this story is told through an intimate conversation between a father and daughter as they explore together the history of their people, from ancient Asia through slavery in America up to the present.

While attending a Seminole Indian celebration, a black family watches and joins in several exciting dances.