The Band in Our Basement

K-Gr 3–Waites’s effusive energy is immediately contagious as Baptist opens her rollicking story with two young kids unable to sleep, knowing “Daddy’s band is in our basement.” Despite Mama’s warning to “Go right to bed/ and do not make a peep,” the siblings “wiggle toes…flip-flop…giggle.” Soon enough, they’re up and dancing on their beds, unable to resist the steady beats, until Kenny insists “Let’s sneak downstairs and watch them play.” Getting past the main floor, then creeping down another flight is no easy task, but that “jazzy groove” can’t be ignored, especially when it turns out it’s “Mama’s voice/ stealing the show.” But will the intrepid pair be allowed to stay? Waites transforms Baptist’s catchy rhythms into an irrepressible invitation to gloriously play along.