Josie and the Second Line

Josie and the Second Line: A New Orleans Picture Book About Courage, Music, and Community (Ages 3-7) Every second line starts with a single beat - and Josie is terrified she'll drop it. Set to the rhythm of a real New Orleans second line parade, this joyful rhyming picture book follows six-year-old Josie Broussard as she's chosen to lead the junior line with her snare drum. With her best friends Marcus, who plays trombone from his wheelchair, and Aaliyah, who feels every beat through the ground, Josie practices hard - until her nerves get the best of her and she wants to quit before she even begins. It takes her grandmother, a lifelong Social Aid & Pleasure Club member, to remind her of an old truth: a mistake isn't the end of the music - it's just part of the song. Told in bouncy, read-aloud AABB rhyme and brought to life with warm, vibrant illustrations of New Orleans culture, Josie and the Second Line celebrates courage, chosen family, and the community that catches you when you stumble. It's a joyful, authentic story that introduces young readers to New Orleans traditions while modeling resilience, inclusion, and the confidence to lead - even when you're scared. Perfect for storytime, bedtime, classroom read-alouds, and any child learning that bravery isn't about being perfect - it's about trying anyway. In this book, your child will discover: A joyful, rhyming story that's fun to read aloud again and again A diverse cast of Black and disabled characters, portrayed authentically and without stereotypes A loving introduction to New Orleans culture and second line parade traditions A gentle lesson about courage, perseverance, and community support >Great for: Bedtime and storytime read-alouds Classroom lessons on courage, community, and diversity Gifts for children who love music, parades, or New Orleans Building early reading fluency through rhyme and rhythm