Books by Kelly Starling Lyons
Ty's Travels: Lab Magic (My First I Can Read)
“This installment in the Geisel-winning Ty's Travels series adds some much-needed diversity to the beginning-reader shelf” —Booklist
Join Ty on his imaginative adventures in Ty's Travels: Lab Magic, a My First I Can Read book by acclaimed author and illustrator team Kelly Starling Lyons and Nina Mata. Science exploration, imagination, and play are highlighted in this fun story, perfect for sharing with children 3 to 6.
Ty and Corey love to visit the museum. When they step through the doors, they become scientists. They study bugs and hunt for fossils. They catch the wind. When Ty can’t participate in a lab activity because of his age, he uses his big imagination at home. Discovering new things is so much fun!
Join Ty on his science adventure in this My First I Can Read for beginning readers. With simple, rhythmic text and joyful, bright art, this My First I Can Read book, Guided Reading Level I, is perfect for shared reading with a child. Books at this level feature basic language, word repetition, and whimsical illustrations, ideal for sharing with emergent readers. The active, engaging stories have appealing plots and lovable characters, encouraging children to continue their reading journey.
Other acclaim for the Ty's Travels series includes: A Chicago Public Library Best Fiction Book for Young Readers Ty's Travels: All Aboard is a Here Wee Read Ultimate Diverse Children's Book Author Kelly Starling Lyons has been selected as the 2021 Piedmont Laureate "Both an excellent book for guided reading and a winning read-aloud." —Kirkus (starred review)
Copies
No copies available.
Ty's Travels: All Aboard! (My First I Can Read)
A Geisel Honor-winning series! "Both an excellent book for guided reading and a winning read-aloud." —Kirkus (starred review)
Join Ty on his imaginative adventures in Ty's Travels: All Aboard!, a My First I Can Read series by acclaimed author and illustrator team Kelly Starling Lyons and Nina Mata. Family time and imagination and play are highlighted in this fun story, perfect for sharing with children 3 to 6.
Ty wishes his family would play with him, but everyone is too busy before dinnertime. Luckily, Ty knows just what to do… Time for fun. Celebrate the power of imagination in All Aboard!
With simple, rhythmic text and joyful, bright art, this Guided Reading Level I and My First series is perfect for shared reading with a child. Books at this level feature basic language, word repetition, and whimsical illustrations, ideal for sharing with emergent readers. The active, engaging stories have appealing plots and lovable characters, encouraging children to continue their reading journey.
A Chicago Public Library Best Fiction Book for Young Readers 2020 * Listed as one of 2021 Here Wee Read Ultimate Diverse Children's Book * Author Kelly Starling Lyons selected as the 2021 Piedmont Laureate
Copies
No copies available.
Ty's Travels: Beach Day! (My First I Can Read)
A Geisel Honor-winning series * Author Kelly Starling Lyons selected as the 2021 Piedmont Laureate * A Bank Street Best Children's Book of the Year 2022
Join Ty on his imaginative adventures in Ty's Travels: Beach Day!, a My First I Can Read book by acclaimed author and illustrator team Kelly Starling Lyons and Niña Mata. Friendship and imagination and play are highlighted in this fun story, perfect for sharing with children 3 to 6.
Ty turns an ordinary day in the sandbox into a fun beach day. He wiggles his toes in the sand, finds seashells, builds a castle, and splashes in the ocean. Splish, splash! When his neighbor’s beach ball flies into his backyard, Ty learns that a beach day is even better with a friend.
With simple, rhythmic text and joyful, bright art, this My First series and Guided Reading Level I is perfect for shared reading with a child. Books at this level feature basic language, word repetition, and whimsical illustrations, ideal for sharing with emergent readers. The active, engaging stories have appealing plots and lovable characters, encouraging children to continue their reading journey.
Copies
No copies available.
Ty's Travels: Zip, Zoom! (My First I Can Read)
Ty can’t wait to ride his brand-new scooter at the park. Other kids zip and zoom by like race cars, but all Ty can do is wobble! Ty wants to give up, but a new friend helps Ty give it another try. A 2021 Geisel Honor Book!
Celebrate imagination and the power of persistence in Ty's Travels: Zip, Zoom! by the acclaimed author and illustrator team Kelly Starling Lyons and Niña Mata.
With simple, rhythmic text and joyful, bright art, this Guided Reading Level I and My First series I Can Read is perfect for shared reading with a child. Books at this level feature basic language, word repetition, and whimsical illustrations, ideal for sharing with emergent readers. The active, engaging stories have appealing plots and lovable characters, encouraging children to continue their reading journey.
A Chicago Public Library Best Fiction Book for Young Readers 2020 * A 2021 Here Wee Read Ultimate Diverse Children's Book * Author Kelly Starling Lyons selected as the 2021 Piedmont Laureate
Copies
No copies available.
Ty’s Travels: Winter Wonderland (My First I Can Read)
A Geisel Honor-winning series! Author Kelly Starling Lyons selected as the 2021 Piedmont Laureate!
Join Ty on his imaginative adventures in Ty's Travels: Winter Wonderland, a My First I Can Read book by acclaimed author and illustrator team Kelly Starling Lyons and Nina Mata. Imagination and play are highlighted in this festive Winter story, perfect for sharing with children 3 to 6.
Ty’s big imagination takes him and Momma on a trip to the North Pole. Everything is wonderful! A Christmas tree sparkles, a snowman waves, and a polar bear sings. Will Ty’s wish to see Santa come true? He wishes and wishes.
Ty's Travels: Winter Wonderland fills an important need for inclusive Christmas stories with diverse characters.
With simple, rhythmic text and joyful, bright art, this My First series and Guided Reading Level I is perfect for shared reading with a child. Books at this level feature basic language, word repetition, and whimsical illustrations, ideal for sharing with emergent readers. The active, engaging stories have appealing plots and lovable characters, encouraging children to continue their reading journey.
"A cozy, snowy Christmastime read." —Kirkus
Copies
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$4.99
Tea Cakes for Tosh
A young boy helps his beloved grandmother remember an important family story
Tosh loves listening to Grandma Honey tell family stories. His favorite is about the special tea cakes that smell like vanilla and sunshine. They were great-great-great-great-grandma Ida's specialty when she was a cook in the big house of a plantation. Unlike Tosh, the slave children weren't allowed to have any of the treats, though Grandma Ida always found a way to put the sugary sweetness into their hands anyway. It was a promise and taste of freedom to come.
Tosh knows this is an important story and he takes care to remember every word. And when grandma Honey begins to forget, he can return the gift of tea cakes and stories. A touching family tale, Tea Cakes for Tosh celebrates the important bond between grandchild and grandparent and the stories that make a family strong.
Copies
No copies available.
Rock Star #1 (Jada Jones)
Fans of Princess Posey and Ivy and Bean will enjoy engaging with science-loving Jada Jones in this easy-to-read chapter book.
When Jada Jones's best friend moves away, school feels like the last place she wants to be. She'd much rather wander outside looking for cool rocks to add to her collection, since finding rocks is much easier than finding friends. So when Jada's teacher announces a class project on rocks and minerals, Jada finally feels like she's in her element. The only problem: one of her teammates doesn't seem to like any of Jada's ideas. She doesn't seem to like Jada all that much, either. Can Jada figure out a way to make a winning science project and a new friend?
The early chapter book bridges between leveled readers and chapter books for fluent readers adjusting to the chapter book format. At about 5,000 words, with short chapters and two-color art on almost every page, it will appeal to this unique reader. The two-color art throughout will help readers transition from the familiar four-color art of leveled readers and ease them into black-and-white chapter books.
Copies
No copies available.
Sing a Song: How Lift Every Voice and Sing Inspired Generations
Just in time for the 120th anniversary of the song "Lift Every Voice and Sing"--this stirring book celebrates the Black National Anthem and how it inspired five generations of a family.
Sing a song full of the faith that the dark past has taught us.
Sing a song full of the hope that the present has brought us.
In Jacksonville, Florida, two brothers, one of them the principal of a segregated, all-black school, wrote the song "Lift Every Voice and Sing" so his students could sing it for a tribute to Abraham Lincoln's birthday in 1900. From that moment on, the song has provided inspiration and solace for generations of Black families. Mothers and fathers passed it on to their children who sang it to their children and grandchildren. It has been sung during major moments of the Civil Rights Movement and at family gatherings and college graduations.
Inspired by this song's enduring significance, Kelly Starling Lyons and Keith Mallett tell a story about the generations of families who gained hope and strength from the song's inspiring words.
Copies
No copies available.
She Persisted: Coretta Scott King
by Kelly Starling Lyons, Chelsea Clinton
Inspired by the #1 New York Times bestseller She Persisted by Chelsea Clinton and Alexandra Boiger, a chapter book series about women who spoke up and rose up against the odds--including Coretta Scott King!
In this chapter book biography by award-winning author Kelly Starling Lyons, readers learn about the amazing life of Coretta Scott King--and how she persisted.
Coretta Scott King is known for being the wife of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., but she was a civil rights activist and leader in her own right! She was a singer and an author too, and her work made a difference for Black Americans and for all women for decades to come.
Complete with an introduction from Chelsea Clinton, black-and-white illustrations throughout, and a list of ways that readers can follow in Coretta Scott King's footsteps and make a difference! A perfect choice for kids who love learning and teachers who want to bring inspiring women into their curriculum.
And don’t miss out on the rest of the books in the She Persisted series, featuring so many more women who persisted, including Oprah Winfrey, Harriet Tubman, Ruby Bridges, and more!
Praise for She Persisted: Coretta Scott King:
"This book profiles the uplifting voice of an activist worth recognizing in her own right [and] Lyons manages to weave in a healthy amount of emotion into this account . . . A brief but effective account of not-often-taught figure that would nicely complement curriculum units on the Civil Rights Movement." --School Library Journal
Copies
No copies available.
Track Star #4 (Miles Lewis)
From the award-winning author of the Jada Jones chapter books comes an illustrated spinoff series perfect for STEM fans!
The annual Fun Run is coming up at Brookside Elementary! The students will all run laps around the carpool lane, and Miles Lewis wants to be one of the top five runners. Even though he zooms through sprints, he runs out of gas for long distance, so he creates a nutrition and exercise regimen to boost his endurance. But on the big day, he witnesses one kid struggling to keep going. Should Miles keep pressing for his personal best, or should he lend support to help a friend? In the end, Miles must decide what winning really means to him.
Copies
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$6.99
Track Star #4 (Miles Lewis)
From the award-winning author of the Jada Jones chapter books comes an illustrated spinoff series perfect for STEM fans!
The annual Fun Run is coming up at Brookside Elementary! The students will all run laps around the carpool lane, and Miles Lewis wants to be one of the top five runners. Even though he zooms through sprints, he runs out of gas for long distance, so he creates a nutrition and exercise regimen to boost his endurance. But on the big day, he witnesses one kid struggling to keep going. Should Miles keep pressing for his personal best, or should he lend support to help a friend? In the end, Miles must decide what winning really means to him.
Copies
No copies available.
One More Dino on the Floor
It's a hip-hopping, foot-stomping, hand-clapping, finger-snapping good time when the dinosaurs go out on the dance floor! One by one (and all the way up to ten), the dinosaurs get their groove on in this delightful counting book! With bright and colorful illustrations and fun, rhythmic text, young readers will be tapping their feet to the Jurassic beat!
Copies
No copies available.
Going Down Home with Daddy
A 2020 CALDECOTT HONOR BOOK
Set at one young boy’s annual family reunion, this Caldecott Honor-winning picture book by Kelly Starling Lyons and Daniel Minter is a rich and moving celebration of Black history, culture, and the power of family traditions.
Kirkus Reviews Best Books of the Year
School Library Journal Best Books of the Year
Best Children’s Books of the Year ―Bank Street College of Education
Chicago Public Library Best of the Best Book ―Chicago Public Library
★“A warm, loving, necessary reminder of the power in families coming together.” —Kirkus Reviews, STARRED REVIEW
“On reunion morning, we rise before the sun. Daddy hums as he packs our car with suitcases and a cooler full of snacks. He says there’s nothing like going down home.”
Down home is Granny’s house. Down home is where Lil Alan and his parents and sister will gather with great-grandparents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins. Down home is where Lil Alan will hear stories of the ancestors and visit the land that has meant so much to all of them. And down home is where all of the children will find their special way to pay tribute to their family history. All the kids have to decide what they’ll share, but what will Lil Alan do?
Kelly Starling Lyons’ eloquent text explores the power of history and family traditions, and stunning illustrations by Coretta Scott King Honor- and Caldecott Honor-winner Daniel Minter reveal the motion and connections in a large, multi-generational family.
Discussion Guide and Teacher’s Guide available.
Copies
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$16.95
Matchmaker #3 (Miles Lewis)
From the award-winning author of the Jada Jones chapter books comes an illustrated spinoff series perfect for STEM fans!
Valentine's Day is approaching, and Miles Lewis doesn't really like all the mush that comes with it. He is excited about the candy experiments they're doing in science class, though. And when his teacher asks for adult volunteers to help out, Miles and his friend Jada share that they're both planning on inviting their grandparents. That's when they realize that Miles's Nana and Jada's Pop Pop have a lot in common--could they be a perfect match?
Copies
No copies available.
A Girl Named Misty: The True Story of Misty Copeland (American Girl: A Girl Named)
The A Girl Named series tells the stories of how ordinary American girls grew up to be extraordinary American women. Misty Copeland became the first African American Female Principal Dancer for the American Ballet Theatre, but how did she get there? A Girl Named Misty describes the defining moments that made up her childhood and adolescence with full-color illustrations throughout. In addition to stories and facts about Misty's upbringing and accomplishments, the book includes a timeline and a glossary, plus a profile of a noteworthy and contemporary American girl following in Misty's graceful footsteps to lead the way for African American women in the arts.
Copies
No copies available.
Dancing Queen #4 (Jada Jones)
Jada Jones is back for the fourth book of this popular, celebrated series perfect for STEM fans!
"Readers who love Ivy and Bean or Katie Woo will want to meet Jada Jones." --School Library Journal
When the student council decides to host a dance as their next fundraiser, Jada feels nervous and queasy. She's excited to give back, but she can't dance! Still, she's determined to help the cause and show she cares. She practices her moves, gets help from friends, and even does research at the library to prepare--but will it be enough to help her create change in her community?
Praise for Jada Jones: Rock Star
"Fast-paced, with supersimple vocabulary and a smattering of earth science to spark interest in young rock collectors everywhere." --Kirkus Reviews
Copies
No copies available.
Sleepover Scientist #3 (Jada Jones)
Jada Jones is back for the third book of this popular, celebrated series perfect for STEM fans!
Jada is hosting her first sleepover, and she has lots of cool scientific activities planned: kitchen chemistry, creating invisible ink, and even making slime! But when her friends get tired of the lessons and just want to hang out, can Jada figure out the formula for fun and save the sleepover?
Praise for Jada Jones: Rock Star
"Fast-paced, with supersimple vocabulary and a smattering of earth science to spark interest in young rock collectors everywhere."--Kirkus Reviews
"Readers who love 'Ivy and Bean' or 'Katie Woo' will want to meet Jada Jones."--School Library Journal
Copies
No copies available.
Dream Builder The Story of Architect Philip Freelon
You've seen the building. Now meet the man whose life went into it.
Philip Freelon's grandfather was an acclaimed painter of the Harlem Renaissance. His father was a successful businessman who attended the 1963 March on Washington. When Phil decided to attend architecture school, he created his own focus on African American and Islamic designers. He later chose not to build casinos or prisons, instead concentrating on schools, libraries, and museums--buildings that connect people with heritage and fill hearts with joy. And in 2009, Phil's team won a commission that let him use his personal history in service to the country's: the extraordinary Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture.
Dream Builder: The Story of Architect Philip Freelon celebrates a contemporary black STEAM role model, a man whose quiet work enabled the creation of an iconic building reflecting America's past and future. With a stirring text by Kelly Starling Lyons, vibrant pictures by Laura Freeman, and an afterword from Philip Freelon himself, it is sure to inspire the next generation of dreamers and builders.
Copies
No copies available.
Ellen's Broom (Coretta Scott King Honor - Illustrator Honor Title)
A young girl learns a new meaning for freedom during the time of Reconstruction
Ellen always knew the broom resting above the hearth was special. Before it was legal for her mother and father to officially be married, the broom was what made them a family anyway. But now all former slaves who had already been married in their hearts could register as lawful husband and wife.
When Ellen and her family make the long trip to the courthouse dressed in their best, she brings the broom her parents had jumped so many years before. Even though freedom has come, Ellen knows the old traditions are important too. After Mama and Papa's names are recorded in the register, Ellen nearly bursts with pride as her parents jump the broom once again.
Ellen is a wonderfully endearing character whose love for her family is brought to life in Daniel Minter's rich and eye-catching block print illustrations.
Copies
No copies available.
Class Act #2 (Jada Jones)
Fans of Princess Posey and Ivy and Bean will enjoy rooting for Jada Jones as she runs for student council in this easy-to-read chapter book.
As a candidate for class representative, Jada is ready to give the campaign her all. But when rumors start to fly about her secret fear of public speaking, she isn't sure who she can trust. And the pressure to make promises she can't keep only adds to her growing list of problems. Is winning even worth it when friendships are on the line?
This easy-to-read story—with plenty of pictures and a charming, relatable cast of characters—is a sure winner. The early chapter book bridges between leveled readers and chapter books for fluent readers adjusting to the chapter book format. At about 5,000 words, with short chapters and two-color art on almost every page, it will appeal to this unique reader. The two-color art throughout will help readers transition from the familiar four-color art of leveled readers and ease them into black-and-white chapter books.
Copies
No copies available.
Roquera #1
“El ritmo rápido, vocabulario sencillo y un toque de ciencias de la tierra despiertan el interés de los jóvenes coleccionistas de rocas en todas partes”. – Kirkus
"A los lectores que adoran a Ivy y Bean o a Katie Woo les encantará conocer a Jada Jones". - School Library Journal
Con los bolsillos llenos de rocas y una camiseta con un dragón púrpura, la estudiante amante de las ciencias, Jada, hace su debut en esta serie de novelas infantiles perfecta para los jóvenes lectores.
Cuando su mejor amiga se muda lejos, la escuela es el último lugar a donde Jada Jones desea ir. Preferiría quedarse fuera y buscar rocas sensacionales para su colección, porque encontrar rocas es mucho más fácil que encontrar amigos. Así que, cuando la maestra de Jada anuncia un proyecto sobre rocas y minerales, Jada finalmente se siente en su elemento. El único problema es que a una de sus compañeras de equipo no le gustan ninguna de las ideas de Jada. Tampoco parece que Jada le cae bien. ¿Encontrará Jada la manera de crear un proyecto de ciencias ganador y ganar también una nueva amiga?
Esta novela infantil es una transición entre las lecturas graduadas y las novelas juveniles para los niños que leen con fluidez y se están adaptando al formato de libros por capítulos. Con unas 5,000 palabras aproximadamente, capítulos cortos y arte a dos colores en casi todas las páginas, atraerá a este singular lector. El arte a dos colores ayudará a los lectores en la transición del arte a cuatro colores de las lecturas graduadas y les facilitará la adaptación a los libros por capítulos en blanco y negro.
Copies
No copies available.
Ty's Travels: Showtime!
Ty rocks out with friends in this new book in the Geisel Honor-winning series!
Join Ty on his imaginative adventures in Ty's Travels: Showtime, a My First I Can Read story by acclaimed author and illustrator team Kelly Starling Lyons and Niña Mata. Music, imagination, and play are highlighted, making this perfect for sharing with children ages 3 to 6.
Rap-a-tap-tap!
Thrum, thrum, thrum!
Plink-a-plink-plink!
Ty loves playing the instruments, but something's missing--his friends! With the help of his vivid imagination, Ty and his friends are onstage in a band making great music together.
With simple, rhythmic text and joyful, bright art, this My First series is perfect for shared reading with a child. Books at this level feature basic language, word repetition, and whimsical illustrations, ideal for sharing with emergent readers. The active, engaging stories have appealing plots and lovable characters, encouraging children to continue their reading journey.
Praise for Ty's Travels series:
Ty's Travels: All Aboard has been named United Through Reading's 2024 Book for the Military Child.
Copies
No copies available.
Ty's Travels: Super Ty!
Ty soars as a superhero in this new book in the Geisel Honor-winning series!
Join Ty on his fun adventures in Ty's Travels: Super Ty!, a My First I Can Read book by acclaimed author and illustrator team Kelly Starling Lyons and Niña Mata. Imagination, helpfulness, and play are highlighted, making this book perfect for sharing with emerging readers!
Ty loves superheroes. He watches them on TV and reads books about them.
When he puts on a cape and a mask, he becomes Super Ty! Super Ty flies around helping Momma and others. But even with his super skills, he can't solve every problem by himself. That's what Ty's super friends are for--like his brother!
With simple, rhythmic text and joyful, bright art, this My First series is perfect for shared reading with a child. Books at this level feature basic language, word repetition, and whimsical illustrations, ideal for sharing with emergent readers. The active, engaging stories have appealing plots and lovable characters, encouraging children to continue their reading journey.
Don't miss these other books in the series:
· Ty's Travels: Showtime!
· Ty's Travels: Camp-Out
· Ty's Travels: Lab Magic
· Ty's Travels: Winter Wonderland
· Ty's Travels: Beach Day!
· Ty's Travels: Zip, Zoom!
· Ty's Travels: A 5-Book Reading Collection
Copies
No copies available.
Sing a Song How Lift Every Voice and Sing Inspired Generations
This stirring book celebrates the history of the song "Lift Every Voice and Sing"—aka the Black National Anthem—and how it inspired five generations of a family.
Now in paperback.
Sing a song full of the faith that the dark past has taught us.
Sing a song full of the hope that the present has brought us.
In Jacksonville, Florida, two brothers, one of them the principal of a segregated, all-black school, wrote the song "Lift Every Voice and Sing" so his students could sing it for a tribute to Abraham Lincoln's birthday in 1900. From that moment on, the song has provided inspiration and solace for generations of Black families. Mothers and fathers passed it on to their children who sang it to their children and grandchildren. Known as the Black National Anthem, it has been sung during major moments of the Civil Rights Movement and at family gatherings and college graduations.
Inspired by this song's enduring significance, Kelly Starling Lyons and Keith Mallett tell a story about the generations of families who gained hope and strength from the song's inspiring words.
—A CCBC Choice
—A Notable Social Studies Trade Book for Young People
—An ALSC Notable Children's Book
Copies
No copies available.