Sing
One-word titles may not be particularly memorable, but few people who grew up watching Sesame Street could hear the first few notes of the song Sing without remembering the rest in their minds. Using the 50-word lyrics only in the last two-thirds of this picture book, Lichtenheld propels a satisfying narrative in vivid illustrations that captures the spirit of the song. The story begins wordlessly, with three little birds sitting in their nest. The first sings a note, then flies away. The second does the same. When the third can’t manage a single note, he looks discouraged. He slumps in the nest until a boy sits down under his tree, plays a guitar, and sings. The words of the song Sing become the text as the musical notes float up to the nest and inspire the bird to try again. He sings, he flies, and he joins his siblings in a joyful chorus of notes. English and Spanish words are appended, and a CD will be included. A picture-book celebration of a Sesame Street favorite. Preschool-Grade 2. --Carolyn Phelan