The National Music Museum has one of the world’s largest and most significant collections of historical instruments — a sort of musical Smithsonian. But it’s far away from the museums on the national mall. It’s in Vermillion, South Dakota.

The Official Harry Potter Cookbook: 40 + Recipes inspired by the films is a tasty book by author Joanna Farrow for children ten years of age and up. Great recipes such as Dumbledore’s Mystical Lemon Drop Pudding plus useful charts regarding Kitchen Safety, Essential Tools and even how to boil an egg are sprinkled across the colorful 127 pages. (Scholastic) 2023.

The Girl Who Heard the Music written by Marni Fogelson with Mahani Teave and illustrated by Marta Alverez Miguens is three stories in one---all brilliantly connected. A young pianist by the name of Mahani who lives on Rapa Nui becomes a world-famous pianist. She organizes others on the island to build a new Music School by using trash, plastic bottles, and old tires to make the walls of the school. At the same time the mystery of the Moai statues that cover the island are discussed. (Sourcebooks Kids) 2023.

Some Days Are Yellow written by Suzanne Slade and illustrated by Michelle Lee is a fine concept book regarding the fact that we all experience good days as well as bad days. The rhyming text and the beautiful illustrations make this picture book ideal for children 3-7 years of age and up! (Sleeping Bear Press) 2024.

If you have a pile of pine needles from your Christmas tree, Brent Crain from Michigan State University Extension says, "Use them as mulch!"

Keyana Loves Her Friend written by Natasha Anastasia Tarpley and illustrated by Charnelle Pinkney Barlow is a delightful story about friendship and what can happen when one friend moves away. This picture book is designed for children 4-8 years of age and is full a preparation, problems and finally the restoration of the friendship. (Little, Brown and Company) 2023.

How Does Santa Go Down the Chimney? is written by Mac Barnett and illustrated by Jon Klassen. It is a cute and very clever look at how Santa does, and in some cases does not, go down the chimney to deliver his gifts. This picture book is full of fun for 4–8-year-old readers and most probably the whole family (Candlewick) 2023.

The Snow Man: A True Story written by Jonah Winter and illustrated by Jeanette Winter takes place near the bottom of the Rocky Mountains of Colorado. A man named billy barr lives there in an abandoned shack with dirt floors, no heat, and no water. To break the monotony of his day he decided to measure the snowfall each day. His daily records over many years eventually proved that climate change was absolutely happening. The real story and the illustrations of this picture book will fascinate children 4-8 years of age as well as moms, dads, and teachers.

Glitter Everywhere is a well-researched and written book by Chris Barton and a beautifully illustrated book by Chaaya Prabhat about the very interesting history of glitter. It is a fascinating book for readers 5-9 years of age. (Charlesbridge) 2023.

Just Like Grandma written by Kim Rogers and illustrated by Julie Flett is a beautiful story about the love between a young girl by the name of Becca and her Grandma. Grandma teaches Becca how to bead moccasins and paint sunrises. Becca is in awe of her Grandma as she dances the Fancy Shawl at the Pow Wow. This story of diversity and love will delight readers 4-8 years of age.