Brooks and the Great Big Playground Song

What if making a new friend starts with learning to listen in a whole new way?Brooks loves the playground. But when he meets a quiet new boy who doesn't respond when Brooks asks him to play, he isn't sure what to do. Then Nana shares the remarkable story of Thomas "Blind Tom" Wiggins, a Black musical prodigy who was born blind and enslaved and had an extraordinary gift for music. His story gives Brooks an idea. With a tap, hum, howl, and woof, Brooks, Peanut, and Leti discover a new way to connect. Soon, more kids join in, and the whole playground becomes one big band. Brooks and the Great Big Playground Song is a joyful picture book about autism, friendship, empathy, inclusion, and celebrating the different ways children communicate and experience the world, with Black history and music woven naturally into the adventure. Perfect for ages 4-8, family storytime, classroom read-alouds, and meaningful conversations about kindness, inclusion, and understanding differences. Different voices. One beautiful song.From the author"I wrote this book to help kids see that differences aren't obstacles-they're instruments. When we listen to each other, we make something beautiful together." - Heather Broner