Book: Born to Swing: Lil Hardin Armstrong’s Life in Jazz Author: Mara Rockliff Illustrator: Michele Wood Publisher: Calkins Creek, 2018 ISBN: 978-1-62979-555-3 Whenever I heard the name Armstrong, I always thought of Louis, until I read this book! Lil Hardin was a pianist in The New Orleans Creole Jazz Band playing at the Dreamland in…
Category: Book Review
Book Review: Soldier Song
This well-written, beautifully illustrated picture book shines a light on the role of music during the Civil War, which helps to illuminate the humanity of the soldiers. Snippets of letters home are included in many page spreads, along with color-coded illustrations that help readers keep track of the positions of…
My first book!
If you happened across my blog and wondered why there weren’t any new posts for awhile, it’s probably because I’ve been writing for children. I’m still teaching elementary music full-time, but I’m also pursuing my love of writing. There’s even a book to show for it! And that’s not all….
Book Review – Jazz Baby
Book: Jazz Baby Author: Lisa Wheeler Illustrator: R. Gregory Christie Publisher: Harcourt, Inc., 2007 “Brother’s hands tap. Sister’s hands snap. Itty-bitty Baby’s hands CLAP-CLAP-CLAP!” Jazz Baby uses body percussion, singing, scatting, and dancing. The text mentions drummers and bass players, but we do not see any instruments, only a record player. The rhythm…
Book Review – This Jazz Man
Book: This Jazz Man Author: Karen Ehrhardt Illustrator: R.G. Roth Publisher: Harcourt, Inc., 2006 This jazz man, he plays one, He plays rhythm with his thumb, with a snap! snap! snazzy-snap! Give the man a hand, This jazz man scats with the band. This Jazz Man introduces nine well-known jazz greats to the…
Book Review – Martin & Mahalia: his words, her song
Book: Martin & Mahalia: his words, her song Author: Andrea Davis Pinkney Illustrator: Brian Pinkney Publisher: Little, Brown and Company, 2013 Martin & Mahalia: his words, her song is a nonfiction picture book with beautiful artwork, poetic language, and smooth, easy-to-read-aloud text. Martin Luther King Jr. and Mahalia Jackson shared…